The National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) have conducted an extensive review of nearly 400 scientific publications on marine plastic pollution in 13 countries in South East and East Asia. The review includes a comprehensive report of published plastic pollution research, policies and initiatives in ASEAN+3 as well as a searchable database of research and a series of graphics. It is the first review and database of its kind for the region. The review was developed by an interdisciplinary research team with additional support from the joint UNEP-COBSEA SEA circular project and the Singapore Maritime Institute.
With plastic pollution a major priority for governments across Asia, scientists have been working diligently to expand our understanding of the problem. But the research has varied widely across countries, including in methodologies, types of data collected, study areas, baselines, and other elements critical to governments who need to make policy decisions based on the research.
With new studies examining the plastic pollution problem being published regularly, the online inventory of marine litter research and frameworks will be continuously expanded and updated.
Read more about the study and download the full report on the COBSEA and SEA circular websites.
Visit the searchable online catalogue of marine litter frameworks and the marine litter research inventory and read more about NUS’ research online.
