9 research outputs found
Priorities to inform research on marine plastic pollution in Southeast Asia
This is the final version. Available from Elsevier via the DOI in this record. Southeast Asia is considered to have some of the highest levels of marine plastic pollution in the world. It is therefore
vitally important to increase our understanding of the impacts and risks of plastic pollution to marine ecosystems and
the essential services they provide to support the development of mitigation measures in the region. An interdisciplinary, international network of experts (Australia, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the
United Kingdom, and Vietnam) set a research agenda for marine plastic pollution in the region, synthesizing current
knowledge and highlighting areas for further research in Southeast Asia. Using an inductive method, 21 research questions emerged under five non-predefined key themes, grouping them according to which: (1) characterise marine plastic pollution in Southeast Asia; (2) explore its movement and fate across the region; (3) describe the biological and
chemical modifications marine plastic pollution undergoes; (4) detail its environmental, social, and economic impacts;
and, finally, (5) target regional policies and possible solutions. Questions relating to these research priority areas highlight the importance of better understanding the fate of marine plastic pollution, its degradation, and the impacts and
risks it can generate across communities and different ecosystem services. Knowledge of these aspects will help support
actions which currently suffer from transboundary problems, lack of responsibility, and inaction to tackle the issue
from its point source in the region. Being profoundly affected by marine plastic pollution, Southeast Asian countries
provide an opportunity to test the effectiveness of innovative and socially inclusive changes in marine plastic governance, as well as both high and low-tech solutions, which can offer insights and actionable models to the rest of the
world.Natural Environment Research CouncilNational Research Foundation, Prime Minister’s Office (Singapore