From 23 to 25 September 2025, the SEAFDEC/IFRDMD team carried out a field survey in Musi Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra, and Kepahiang Regency, Bengkulu as a part of the implemented activities under the project “Regional Collaborative Research and Capacity Building for Monitoring and Reduction of Marine Debris from Fisheries in Southeast Asia,” funded by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF). Fish samples collected from local fishers will be analysed at the Research Institute for Inland Fisheries and Extension Laboratory to detect potential microplastic contamination.

Through these combined efforts, IFRDMD aims to improve the quality of inland-fisheries data and raise awareness of emerging threats such as microplastic pollution. The results will help support sustainable fisheries management, contribute to food security, and protect the livelihoods of communities that depend on inland water resources.