Plastic pollution is a widespread and escalating threat to marine ecosystems. It impacts species health, food safety, and the cultural and economic values tied to ocean environments. Yet, we still lack a clear understanding of where plastic ends up, how it moves through systems, and how to effectively measure and reduce its impacts. Dr Nina Wootton’s work addresses this growing problem by investigating where plastic is coming from, how it impacts marine ecosystems, and how we can meaningfully reduce it.
Dr Nina Wootton has led projects mapping plastic pollution in coastal ecosystems, developed standardised microplastic sampling methods, and worked to understand the effects of microplastics on marine species. She has also co-designed education programs with Indigenous communities to support local solutions. Currently, her research focuses on building global consensus for monitoring plastic pollution, expanding plastic audits into aquaculture, and ensuring science is translated into practical tools for industry, communities, and policymakers.