PEUMP

PEUMP

RESEARCH FINDS PHARMACEUTICAL DRUG ADVERSELY AFFECTS CERTAIN FISH TYPES ALONG THE SOUTHERN COAST OF VITI LEVU

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: Rufino Varea conducting biochemical analyses on fish samples in USP Marine Campus
Feature Image caption
Rufino Varea conducting biochemical analyses on fish samples in USP Marine Campus
Published Date:
27-Oct-2022

Suva, October 27th 2022: PhD Scholarship recipient of the Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) Programme at the Institute of Marine Resources (IMR), School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Ocean and Natural Sciences (SAGEONS), Mr Rufino Varea, presented his research findings at the Fiji Pharmaceuticals Society's Annual Conference held on Saturday 8th October. His presentation, titled, “Pharmaceuticals baseline study in Fiji Coastal waters and exposure effects in glass perchlet” highlighted critical issues regarding the impacts of commercial drugs in the marine environment. Results showed that an antidepressant drug called amitriptyline could affect glass perchlets fish's behaviour and feeding habits, eventually leading to its poor health conditions.

“The findings of this research are a stepping-stone to bridging the knowledge gaps needed for developing better-informed policies and implementation plans by relevant stakeholders such as government ministries and pharmaceutical industries” said Cherie Morris, USP Assistant Lecturer and interim team leader for the USP PEUMP Programme. "We are grateful to the Fiji Pharmaceutical Society for opening its platform to discussions around these as implications of pharmaceutical drugs on the environment and food chains can pose real threats”.

Varea, along with fellow researchers Jasha Dehm and Theo-Charles Martin designed and carried out a preliminary exposure study to observe possible biological and biochemical effects of this commonly found pharmaceutical in Fiji's coastal waters when exposed to a widely distributed fish species of glass perchlets.

“There is more we need to know, but this research demonstrates that it can be achieved. We recommend a wider collaboration, funding, and scientific inquiry on these findings,” said Varea. “A more comprehensive study of different pharmaceuticals, particularly on fish and shellfish, incorporating a more detailed clinical observation of organisms when exposed to such pharmaceuticals and commercial medicinal drugs, is needed.”

Comprehensive collaboration with regional scientists and clinicians will broaden our understanding pharmaceuticals' short-term and long-term implications in our environment and the risk they may pose to human health. Environmental monitoring programmes must incorporate a more broad approach to ecological risk assessments. Fiji's current legislation and environmental laws or watch lists for pharmaceuticals in the environment still need to be developed.

USP is one of four key implementing partners of the PEUMP Programme, an initiative funded by the European Union and the Government of Sweden. The overall EUR 45million Programme promotes sustainable management and sound ocean governance for food security and economic growth while addressing climate change resilience and conservation of marine biodiversity. It follows a comprehensive approach, integrating issues related to ocean fisheries, coastal fisheries, community development, marine conservation and capacity building under one single regional action.

 

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The University of the South Pacific (USP) is the premier institution of higher learning for the Pacific, uniquely placed in a region of extraordinary physical, social and economic diversity to serve the region’s needs for high quality tertiary education, research and policy development. One of only two regional universities of its type in the world, USP has 12 member countries: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. USP is committed to achieving excellence and innovation for the sustainable development of Pacific Island Countries.

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 The Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) Programme addresses some of the most serious challenges faced by Pacific countries. Among these are the increasing depletion of coastal fisheries resources; the threats to marine biodiversity, including negative impacts of climate change and disasters; the uneven contribution of oceanic fisheries to national economic development; the need for improved education and training; and the need to mainstream a rights-based approach and to promote greater recognition of gender issues to ensure inclusiveness and positive changes for Pacific island people.  The seven-year PEUMP programme is funded by the European Union (EUR 35 million) and the government of Sweden (EUR 10 million). It is implemented by the Pacific Community (SPC), the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the University of the South Pacific (USP) in close collaboration with Non-Government Organisations and the national authorities.

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