PolyU Research Impact - Envision Marine Conservation and Seafood Sustainability

Dr FANG Kar Hei, James
Associate Professor
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
🌍The United Nations (UN) latest Sustainable Development Goals report reveals a concerning trend - more than 17 million metric tons of plastic entered the world's oceans in 2021, accounting for 85% of total marine debris. Experts predict this figure could double or triple by 2040. In response, the UN recently adopted the "Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement" to promote the protection and sustainable use of marine biological diversity, as well as the management of marine resources.
Dr James Kar-Hei FANG, Associate Professor of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition at PolyU, envisions marine conservation through his research, which focuses on microplastic contamination in seafood and restoring pearl oyster reefs in Hong Kong, ultimately enhancing marine environmental health and biodiversity. 🐠🐟
His research involves rebuilding pearl oyster reefs at selected sites in Hong Kong’s Tolo Channel using oysters cultured in captivity. By restoring these reefs, the project can enhance marine biodiversity, improve water quality, and revitalise the pearl production industry, benefiting both the environment and the local community. 🦪
Also, the research team provided the first data on microplastic levels in the faeces of Hong Kong people. The findings suggested a high rate of microplastic ingestion, which could be five times higher than those in other regions of Asia and Europe.
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