Rufino Varea

University of the South Pacific | USP · School of Marine Studies

Context Microplastics are a concern for maritime nations such as Fiji, which rely heavily on seafood, such as bivalves, which can transfer pollutants through the food chain. The lack of biomonitoring studies in the Pacific region highlights the necessity of researching microplastic pollution in seafood. Aims This study quantifies microplastics in...

The indirect exposure and effects of marine pollutants such as heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, present significant health concerns for human coastal communities that rely on fish consumption as a regular nutritional source. This study confirms a sentinel marine fish species, Mugil cephalus (“mullet”), for biomonitoring environmen...

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant challenges for the health system across the globe and fueled the surge of numerous rumours, hoaxes, and misinformation regarding outcomes, prevention and cure of the virus. The COVID-19 pandemic has also had severe political, economic and societal effects and affected media and communication systems in u...

Digital media, opens a vast array of avenues for lay people to effectively engage with news, information and debates about important science and health issues. However, they have also become a fertile ground for various stakeholders to spread misinformation and disinformation, stimulate uncivil discussions and engender ill-informed, dangerous publi...

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant challenges for the health system across the globe and fueled the surge of numerous rumours, hoaxes, and misinformation regarding outcomes, prevention and cure of the virus. The COVID-19 pandemic has also had severe political, economic and societal effects and affected media and communication systems in u...

To determine the baseline threat of microplastics and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in an important seafood fish from Vueti Navakavu locally managed marine area, a multibiomarker risk assessment was conducted on the thumbprint emperor fish Lethrinus harak . Condition factor, a measure of relative general health condition of fish, was sign...

On 18 July 2020, a small whale was found stranded along the eastern shoreline of Viti Levu, Fiji. The whale died two days later despite efforts to refloat and guide it out to sea. Morphometric measurements and photo identification confirm it to be an adult male pygmy sperm whale, Kogia breviceps (Blanville, 1838). This specimen acts as the first co...

To determine the baseline threat of microplastics and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in an important seafood fish from Vueti Navakavu LMMA, a multibiomarker risk assessment was conducted on the thumbprint emperor fish. K-factor was significantly lower in samples from the wet season compared to the dry season but no significant differences...

Digital media opens a vast array of avenues for lay people to effectively engage with news, information and debates about important science and health issues. However, they have also become a fertile ground for various stakeholders to spread misinformation and disinformation, stimulate uncivil discussions and engender ill-informed, dangerous public...

As a unique group of people, Rotumans make up less than two percent of Fiji's population, and as a minority Indigenous ethnic group in Fiji, they have remained relatively hidden and silent in political affairs. Outmigra-tion from the island has led to more than 80 percent of Rotumans residing outside of Rotuma. In recent times, the Rotuman diaspora...

This paper can be downloaded for free until 5 July at https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1b4I5,ashxltL The Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) are heavily dependent on the marine resources for food security, employment, government revenue and economic development, hence the concern about the potential exposure of these resources to pollut...

The island of Rotuma in Fiji poses a paradox. Indigenous Fijians make up more than 60% of Fiji’s population. However, as a unique ethnic group, Rotumans are a demographic minority, with their language listed on the UNESCO list of endangered languages. This is caused by extensive outmigration, with more than 80% of Rotumans residing outside of Rotum...

Coral reefs are critical for securing food resources and generating income in Fiji. However, reef ecosystems and the people they support are currently at risk from multiple threats, such as poor land-use practices, overfishing, pollution, destruction of habitats for development, and adverse climate change effects. Understanding how socio-ecological...