Low and steady: Minimal change in plastic exposure in Kermadec Petrels in the remote South Pacific

A study on Henderson Island reveals that plastic ingestion in Kermadec Petrels (Pterodroma neglecta) has remained consistent at low levels over more than 30 years, with only 23.1% of fledglings sampled in 2025 containing small quantities of microplastics (mean ± SD: 0.0113 ± 0.0061 g). This finding contrasts sharply with plastic ingestion rates in closely related species, suggesting that Kermadec Petrels may selectively avoid plastic or forage in areas with lower pollution densities. The research, conducted on uninhabited Henderson Island and Oeno Atoll, highlights the potential for these birds to serve as sentinels for pollution in remote South Pacific regions, offering valuable insights into species-specific vulnerability to marine debris.

Lavers, J. L., Christian, J., & Bond, A. L. (2026). Low and steady: Minimal change in plastic exposure in Kermadec Petrels in the remote South Pacific. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 227, 119522. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2026.119522