Marine Litter in the Pacific Islands - 2024 Report: Key Highlights and Findings
The Pacific Ocean is facing a growing threat from marine litter. A total of 73 surveys and audits have been conducted across the region, including in Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Wallis & Futuna. These surveys reveal concerning levels of waste, particularly plastics, and highlight the urgent need for action.

A total of 76,869 waste items were collected, weighing 4,492kg, with plastics being the dominant material. Of these, 44,653 plastic items were recorded, including bottles, food wrappers, plastic bags, and fragments. On average, there were 3,448 waste items found per 1,000 m² across 43 survey locations in six Pacific Island nations.
Plastic remains the predominant waste material, with over 44,000 plastic items collected across the region.

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) through the Committing to Sustainable Waste Actions in the Pacific (SWAP) Project supporting waste management and marine litter monitoring across the Pacific Islands. Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP) working to reduce plastic pollution by tackling single-use plastics and enhancing regional cooperation. GEF ISLANDS assisting Island nations in safely managing hazardous chemicals and preventing marine litter, aiming to stop over 300,000 tonnes of plastic waste and toxins from entering the oceans.

Collaborative efforts across the Pacific are driving progress in reducing marine litter through policy, community engagement, and regional initiatives. This work is in collaboration and supported by organisations such as Sustainable Coastlines New Zealand and in-country partners including the University of the South Pacific, which leads the Pacific Ocean Litter Youth Project (POLYP) in Fiji; the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), Waste Management and Pollution Control Division in Samoa; the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management & Meteorology (MECDM), Environment & Conservation Division in Solomon Islands; the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC), Department of Environment in Tonga; the Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation (DEPC), Ministry of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology & Geo-hazards, Environment, Energy and Disaster Management in Vanuatu; and the Direction of Environment, Department of Territorial Affairs in Wallis & Futuna.

This report highlights the importance of consistent data collection and regional cooperation to combat the growing marine litter crisis and protect Pacific ecosystems. Together, we’re working to reduce marine litter, protect ecosystems, and safeguard the Pacific for future generations.

Learn more about the findings in the full report here: https://library.sprep.org/content/beach-marine-litter-pacific-islands-2…