Nuclear Science Helps Protect Oceans and Coastal Communities

The IAEA is also applying nuclear science to strengthen aquaculture and protect important marine industries from disease outbreaks.

From tackling plastic pollution in Antarctica to protecting fish farms and monitoring ocean acidification, nuclear science is playing an increasingly important role in preserving marine ecosystems and supporting communities that depend on healthy oceans.

Ahead of growing environmental challenges facing oceans worldwide, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has highlighted how advanced nuclear and isotopic techniques are helping countries better understand marine threats and develop effective solutions.

The work spans multiple areas, including pollution monitoring, climate research, aquaculture protection and marine conservation, providing governments and scientists with valuable data to guide decision-making. As pressures from climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss continue to intensify, these scientific tools are helping nations strengthen their ability to protect marine resources and coastal livelihoods.

Tracking pollution and climate threats

Plastic pollution remains one of the most widespread threats to marine environments. Microplastics have now been detected in some of the planet's most remote regions, including Antarctica, demonstrating how deeply plastic waste has infiltrated global ecosystems.

Through its NUTEC Plastics initiative, the IAEA is supporting countries in identifying the sources and movement of microplastics using nuclear techniques. New projects launched in 2026 are helping Latin American countries strengthen monitoring efforts in Antarctic ecosystems through standardized scientific methods and regional cooperation.

The agency is also helping countries address ocean acidification, a growing problem caused by oceans absorbing increasing amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. More acidic seawater can damage coral reefs, shellfish populations and other marine species that support fisheries and tourism industries.

Small island developing states in the Caribbean and Pacific are particularly vulnerable because many communities rely heavily on marine ecosystems for food security and economic activity. Nuclear and isotopic techniques allow scientists to study how changing ocean chemistry affects marine life and help governments develop better adaptation strategies.

Protecting fisheries and coastal ecosystems

The IAEA is also applying nuclear science to strengthen aquaculture and protect important marine industries from disease outbreaks. In Latin America, researchers are using advanced diagnostic techniques derived from nuclear science to detect Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis (IPN), a disease that can severely impact fish farms. Early detection allows authorities and producers to respond before outbreaks spread widely, reducing economic losses and protecting food supplies.

Scientists have also used these technologies to identify genetic traits associated with disease resistance, helping fish producers develop more resilient stocks. The research involves blue carbon ecosystems such as mangrove forests, seagrass meadows and salt marshes. These coastal habitats store significant amounts of carbon and play an important role in climate mitigation.

By analysing naturally occurring isotopes within coastal sediments, researchers can measure how carbon has accumulated over decades and centuries. The resulting data helps countries better understand the climate benefits of coastal ecosystems and supports conservation and restoration efforts.

Regional cooperation strengthens ocean protection

The IAEA is also helping countries improve monitoring of harmful algal blooms, which can contaminate seafood, damage fisheries and pose risks to public health.

Using nuclear and isotopic techniques, scientists can track the movement of toxins through aquatic ecosystems and improve early warning systems. In Cuba, researchers supported by the IAEA have identified dangerous marine biotoxins that can accumulate in seafood and threaten consumers.

Early detection enables authorities to take targeted action, protecting public health while minimizing disruptions to fishing industries and seafood markets.

Recognising that marine threats often cross national borders, the IAEA has placed strong emphasis on regional cooperation. Through initiatives such as the Regional Cooperation Agreement for the Promotion of Nuclear Science and Technology in Latin America (ARCAL) and the Research Network of Marine-Coastal Stressors in Latin America and the Caribbean (REMARCO), countries are sharing expertise, harmonizing research methods and strengthening scientific capacity.

These collaborative efforts involve more than 20 countries working together on issues ranging from pollution monitoring and ocean acidification to aquaculture health and environmental protection.

By combining scientific innovation with international cooperation, the IAEA is helping countries better understand the challenges facing oceans and develop practical solutions that protect marine biodiversity, strengthen food security and support sustainable economic development for future generations.