NIFS announced that it pushes for a joint research with PNU G-Lamp Project Group for the development of technology to manage the impact of ocean microplastic* on aquatic animals. 

*Ocean microplastics are defined as plastic elements in the size range that is below 5㎜ in size or specifically, between 1㎛ and 5㎜, which threaten the marine environment for fisheries production. Some microplastics are made for a specific purpose (primary microplastics) or from larger pieces of plastics broken into smaller and smaller pieces by wind, waves, heat, and sun (secondary microplastics).

The joint research was the first joint one since NIFS and PNU signed a MOU for joint research in the field of climate change and marine environments, etc. in September of 2024.

The research is going to be about △ analyzing the impact of ocean microplastics on aquaculture organisms in coastal fishing grounds and △ developing technology to reduce the ocean microplastics in the aquafarms by utilizing various adsorption and aggregation materials. 

In the research, NIFS will be in charge of ① surveying current status of ocean microplastics in the field, ② securing saltwater fish such as olive flounder and providing technical support for laboratory breeding of them, ③ providing specimens or samples of microplastics necessary for the research, etc. PNU will conduct ① the analysis of physiological effect of ocean microplastic, ② the research on technology development for microplastic reduction using adsorption material-based 3D structures, etc. 

The President of NIFS said, "I'm looking forward to seeing this joint research generate achievements meaningful in solving microplastic problems by analyzing the impact of ocean microplastic on the environment of fisheries production and developing reduction technology." The President also said, "NIFS, based on the expertise that we have in oceans and fisheries research, will jointly shoulder with a wide range of specialized institutes and do our best to create safe and sustainable environment of marine environment and for fisheries production."