Microplastics found in fish from Mindanao, DENR asks companies to address issue

Traces of microplastic were found in several fish species, specifically bangus (milkfish), from different fishponds in Mindanao, a study by the Department of Science and Technology  National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP) showed.

According to Mark Salazar’s 24 Oras report on Thursday, the study revealed that around 60% of the fish samples contained concentrations of microplastic in their digestive systems.  

Microplastics are tiny particles produced from the degradation of plastic materials. 

“Ang microplastics kasi, mas malaki ang epekto niya sa mas maliliit na organismo,” said Dr. Deo Florence Onda, Microbial Oceanographer of Marine Science Institute. 

(Microplastics have a large effect on smaller organisms.)

“Kung 'yung maliliit na isda ay naapektuhan at hindi na nila kayang lumaki  dahil sa microplastics, anong mangyayari? Ano 'yung aanihin natin? Kulang pa rin tayo sa pag-aaral kung ano 'yung overall impact niya sa health ng tao,” Onda said.

(If small fish consume microplastic it stunts their growth, what happens? What will our fishermen catch? There’s also a lack of study on its overall impact on human health.)

Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga warned that microplastic pose a threat not only to the environment but also to the livelihood of fisherfolk. 

“Nilalason po ng mga plastic na ito ang mga palaisdaan at tsino-choke po nila ang mga coral reefs natin. Dito po nanggagaling ang livelihood ng mga mangingisda natin at ang mga isda na kinakain po natin araw-araw. Ang mga isda po natin ay kumakain ng mga microplastic,” said Yulo.

(Microplastics are poisoning the fishponds and choke our coral reefs. This is the source of livelihood of fisherfolk and the food we consume on a daily basis. Our fish have been eating microplastic.)

A major source of microplastic: the packaging of consumer goods that as trash eventually end up in sewage and later, the ocean.

The DENR head said over 140 million plastic sachets are in the country’s waterways that eventually reach the sea.

In August 2022, a study revealed the Philippines as one of the leading countries that pollute the ocean.

To address the situation, Yulo called on major corporations to lead in the collection of plastic waste, with a target of collecting 80% of plastic waste by 2028. 

“We are now implementing ang Extended Producers’ Responsibility Law. Ano pong ibig sabihin niyan? Iyan po ay nagsi-shift burden na kumolekta ng plastic basura dito po sa mga korporasyon na nagpo-produce po ng plastic packaging,” she said. 

(We are now implementing ang Extended Producers’ Responsibility Law. What does that mean? The collection of plastic wastes should be shouldered by corporations that produce plastic packaging.)

Dr. Onda said that there are studies predicting that there could be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans by 2050– an alarming projection for the future.—Sundy Locus/RF, GMA Integrated News