Region
Microplastic pollution has been documented to be widely distributed worldwide, although certain environmental areas and their resources lack reliable estimates of its extent. Fishing resources are vulnerable to various forms of contamination including microplastics, and we need a deeper understanding of the impact of microplastics on different populations and species, but also the risk that they could present to human consumption, given that these resources represent to date the highest percentage destined for direct human food intake.
Regarding how microplastics affect marine and continental resources, reports indicate the presence of this contaminant as bioaccumulations in the skin, gills, stomach, liver, intestine and muscles of fish; the ingestion of which could cause both physical and chemical effects in fish and other marine organisms, including physical injuries, obstructions, ruptures, abrasion and lesions, false sensation of satiety (absence of hunger) and starvation (Kibria, 2023. Impacts of microplastic on fisheries and seafood security—Global analysis and synthesis. Science of the Total Environment, 166652).
On the other hand, and specifically on food safety issues, there are reports to date that microplastic ingestion can cause a decrease in the growth of aquatic organisms and their food consumption, leading to a reduction in the yield of seafood production; seafood products (fish and shellfish) that play an important role in supporting the economy, employment, food sources (e.g. proteins, omega 3 fatty acids, minerals, vitamins), as well as people's livelihoods, which may be threatened due to the contamination of marine organisms with microplastics (FAO, 2017. Microplastics in fisheries and aquaculture. Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper 615).
In this regard, considering the efforts made by APEC economies on the topic (Evaluation of microplastics in fisheries and aquaculture: presence, exposure, distribution, etc., in systems, input chain, etc.), and the demand for further research as a basis for the development of plans, policies, regulatory practices, among others; the importance of continuing efforts to ensure and promote food security (including food safety) of key in marine and continental resources for food security and trade in APEC economies is highlighted.
In this sense, the project aims to address the limited information on the level of exposure to microplastic contamination in marine and continental resources for food and trade security in the APEC region, with the following benefits for economies:
a) Bridging the knowledge gap on microplastic contamination in marine and continental resources vital for food and commercial security of the region.
b) Understanding the level of exposure to microplastic contamination in marine and continental resources vital for food and commercial security of the region.
c) Supporting the formulation of research projects, decision making and sharing best practices in APEC economies, related to microplastic contamination in marine and continental resources essential for food security and trade of the region.
Eligibility and Fund Priorities
The objective of the Project is to assess firsthand the level of exposure to microplastic contamination in marine and continental resources, benefiting the Asia-Pacific region by providing a situational diagnosis and enabling preventive measures. Given this, it would be eligible for the MDMI sub-fund on the criteria 1. Deliver capacity building activities that inform efforts to reduce and prevent marine debris in one or more APEC developing economies, with lessons applicable for APEC members more broadly, because it may help to adopt measures that allow the implementation and strategies that contribute to the sustainability of the APEC fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
Capacity Building
The project will support relevant research on microplastic contamination, specifically by collecting data to assess the health suitability of marine and continental resources. Therefore, it is worth mentioning that the diagnosis/study of microplastics (exposure assessment) in marine and continental resources of importance for food security and trade will provide information for decision-making and the generation of public policies that contribute to the well-being of people, as well as the sustainable development of economies; which is part of APEC's objectives regarding capacity building.
