68% microplastics found in Fiji’s fish supply: Fisheries Minister

About 68 per cent of fish consumed by Fijians have microplastics, a serious health concern that the Minister for Fisheries, Alitia Bainivalu, hopes will expedite the complete ban of single-use plastics.  

Ms Bainivalu said the finding from a recent study was a stark reminder of the urgent need to act against pollution and unsustainable fishing practices that threaten Fiji’s ocean life, food security and people’s health. 

Fiji has more than 800 coastal communities and several major fish markets, including the Suva Fish Market, and hundreds of roadside fish stalls.

This means that a significant number of Fijians consume fish.  

While research on health impacts of microplastic is just beginning, Stanford Medicine published research in January this year, suggests that microplastic particles are found in multiple organs and tissues including the brain, heart, placenta, and breast milk.  

The Ministry of Environment found that a study of 184 fish from 21 species across Fiji found that 74 per cent were contaminated with microplastics.

Minister for Fisheries Alitia Bainivalu.

Photo: Rariqi Turner

Speaking during the launch of the Fiji Blue Fishing Programme in Suva yesterday, Ms Bainivalu said banning single-use plastics was an important step in protecting marine life and ensuring a sustainable fishing industry. 

“Ocean pollution, unsustainable fishing, and climate change threaten the very foundation of our fisheries” Ms Bainivalu said. 

“When we think about the marine species affected, the same ocean that feeds us. It’s clear that change is needed. Many families depend on these resources for their daily living,” she said. 

Ms Bainivalu said the Fiji Blue Fishing Programme, funded by the European Union through the SWITCH-Asia initiative, was a “bold and timely response” to these challenges. 

Through the programme, local fishers will receive training in financial literacy and business management, as well as access to sustainable technologies such as solar-powered ice plants and improved post-harvest systems to reduce spoilage and pollution. 

“By reusing resources, reducing waste, and embedding green practices across the fisheries value chain, we ensure that sustainability becomes part of every process." 

Minister for iTaukei Affairs Ifereimi Vasu also praised the initiative, saying it will help protect traditional fishing grounds and strengthen community resilience. 

“Our traditional fishing grounds are not just sources of food and income, they are part of who we are as iTaukei people,” he said. 

Microplastics in the digestive system can:

• Trigger inflammation in the stomach and intestines;
• Damage cells and tissues; and
• Disrupt the gut’s natural bacterial balance.

Over time, this may lead to chronic digestive issues, fatigue, and immune system problems.

Feedback: rariqi.turner@fijisun.com.fj