Traces of plastic pollution found as deep as 11,000m below sea level

 By Olivia Miwil - July 15, 2025 @ 8:46pm

Visitors during the launching of a new research collaboration agreement among Marine Ecology Research Centre (MERC), Universiti Sains Malaysia's Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) as well as the Japanese National Museum of Nature and Science at MERC. Photo courtesy of MERC

KOTA KINABALU: Plastic pollution has been detected as deep as 11km below sea level, said Marine Ecology Research Centre (MERC) representative Gillian Tan.

"In marine life studies, traces of marine plastic pollution, such as bottles and plastic bags, can be found as deep as 11,000m.

"Plastic doesn't come from the bottom of the ocean, right? Someone has thrown it into the sea. Finding pieces of plastic so deep in the ocean shows that what we do on the surface will affect the entire ocean.

Pile of trash found in the deep seabed during scientific biodiversity study. Photo courtesy of MERC

Pile of trash found in the deep seabed during scientific biodiversity study. Photo courtesy of MERC

"That is why marine conservation is important," said Tan during the announcement of a research collaboration among MERC, Universiti Sains Malaysia's Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) and the Japanese National Museum of Nature and Science.

Tan said for the past 20 years, the centre on Gaya Island here has been focusing on giant clams, coral planting, rehabilitation and educational programmes.

She said through relaying simple messages to visitors about the beauty of nature and marine life, they would do their part in protecting them.

"Research and data collection are important so that we can gauge and ensure our marine conservation efforts are effective."

On the partnership, she said it will focus on advancing research related to the Biodiversity of Marine Benthic Invertebrates, with a strong emphasis on conservation efforts.

Key activities will include surveying, sampling and identifying diverse marine invertebrates found in the waters of Gaya and Sepanggar islands.

This project will be headed by Japanese National Museum of Nature and Science Zoology department head Professor Dr Toshihiko Fujita and CEMACS director Professor Datuk Dr Aileen Tan Shau Hwai.

To celebrate this collaboration, the Japanese National Museum of Nature and Science will have a special exhibition titled "A Peep into the Deep" that features 13 deep-sea specimens.

The exhibition, until September, will also highlight the extreme conditions of the deep sea and the remarkable adaptations of its inhabitants.