Technical Cooperation on Marine Debris and Microplastic Monitoring and Research

     This cooperation between the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand, and the First Institute of Oceanography (FIO), State Oceanic Administration (SOA) in the People's Republic of China was established in 2017. Its aims include a development of standard procedures for sampling and sample analysis in the laboratories in the regional level and investigation of types, quantities, and distribution of microplastics in sediments and water column along with the impacts on marine ecosystems. The partnership is expected to contribute to the further development of a marine debris and microplastics management plan.

Objective

• To investigate standard procedures for tracking marine debris and microplastics.
• To advance research on marine debris and microplastics.

Expected benefits

• International standard database on the distribution of microplastics in the marine environment of Thailand.
• Thailand can become an ASEAN research center on microplastics.