Assessing Microplastics and Microfibers in Ringed Seal Stomachs from the Amundsen Gulf Region (ISR), NWT

In the short term this project will assess ingested microplastics and microfibers in ringed seals in relation to diet and health metrics and provide the first assessment of ingested plastics in seals in the western Canadian Arctic and Inuvialuit Settlement Region. The long term objectives of the project include; to develop plastic ingestion data that is paired with community based monitoring programs carried out in the northern Canada in collaboration with hunters in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region; implement research on ringed seals and plastic pollution in collaboration with northern communities that aims to fulfill objectives under the Canadian Plastic Science Agenda (CaPSA).