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Formation of a Center of Excellence for Marine Plastic Pollution Studies in the Southeast Asian Seas

Environment / Energy (Global-scale environmental issues)

Kingdom of Thailand

Formation of a Center of Excellence for Marine Plastic Pollution Studies in the Southeast Asian Seas

Discover how plastic wastes are released into the oceans and clarify their impact on the ocean environment

Principal Investigator

- Prof.
  ISOBE Atsuhiko
  Center for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, Research Institute for Applied Mechanics, Kyusyu University
- Prof.
  Voranop Viyakarn
  Aquatic Resources Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University

ODA Recipient Country

Kingdom of Thailand

Research Institutions in Japan

Kyusyu University / Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology / Kagoshima University / Kumamoto University / Kyoto University /Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology / Chuo University / Civil Engineering Research Institute for Cold Region

Research Institutions in Counterpart Country

Chulalongkorn University / Eastern Asia University / Walailak University / Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

Adoption fiscal year

FY 2019

Research Period

5 Years

Overview of the Research Project

Researching ways in which plastic wastes are released into the oceans and the impact of marine plastic debris on the ocean environment
The Southeast Asian region is thought to be a hotspot for marine plastic pollution. However, the influence of marine plastic on the ecosystem and human activity is not yet sufficiently clear. This project establishes a research center in Thailand to survey the ways in which plastic wastes are released into the oceans and the impact of the debris on the ocean environment. It also aims to monitor the routes of marine plastic debris from land to the ocean and the volume of plastic emitted, and to forecast future levels of marine microplastic emissions.

Proposing an action plan for mitigating marine plastic debris to the Thai government
The project will support Thailand’s government in formulating a policy for reducing marine plastics based on scientific knowledge. It will also roll out the initiative in Thailand to other surrounding nations and contribute to sustainable reduction of marine plastics in Southeast Asia. Among other things, this research center is expected to play a role in demonstrating the scientific basis for bolstering policies for reducing marine plastics.