PACIPOP (2020-2023)

Top predators of the Southern Pacific Ocean and persistent organic contaminants

Ifremer coordination

Type of projet

Financing

Project duration

 Link

C. Munschy

International

South Pacific Fund (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development).

2020-2023

PACIPOP is part of the project: Persistent Organic Pollutants and Microplastics in South Pacific Tuna (TIPTOP, coordinated by the Pacific Community - SPC).

The main objectives of CCEM in this project are to provide knowledge on the bioaccumulation of Hydrophobic Organic Contaminants (HOC) in several species of South Pacific tuna. The results provided will fill the data gap on this subject and will allow a better knowledge and management of fisheries resources.

The specific objectives are to:

  1. Determine the levels and profiles of HOC contamination in tuna;
  2. Evaluate the spatial variability of the contamination in different areas that are a priori representative of contrasting pressures in the South Pacific;
  3. Identify the major anthropogenic pressures related to organic chemical contaminants in the selected species;
  4. Have a current status of chemical contamination in order to follow its temporal evolution in the face of global changes (climate, fishing, tourism, economic development);
  5. Contribute to the evaluation of human exposure to these contaminants through the consumption of seafood.

This project is a continuation of previous research on the same theme in different species of top predatory fish in the Indian Ocean

Partners:

Y. Aminot (CCEM)

Pacific Community (SPC), UMR LEMAR, CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere, Sustainable Ocean Seychelles