Marine plastic pollution undermines the livelihoods and income of fishing communities in Viet Nam

Abstract Globally, small-scale fishing communities are impacted by plastic debris accumulating in coastal waters. We studied the socioeconomic impact of marine plastic on fishers in the Mekong and Red River Deltas. Using a mixed methods design, we quantified the impacts of marine plastics through socioeconomic structured interviews with nearshore fishers ( n = 199), post-hoc verification interviews ( n = 94) and waste audits of debris in fishing nets ( n = 282). The total cost of plastic pollution was calculated as ~3400 USD vessel -1 year -1 , equivalent to 12% of the annual vessel revenue and 25% of the owner’s income. Fishers also experienced injuries and fatalities when dealing with plastic entanglement incidents at sea. Results highlighted a disproportionate and unequitable higher economic burden faced by lower-income fishers in the Mekong Delta compared to the Red River Delta. Our study found that incentive-based plastic collection at priority locations could reduce pollution while supporting sustainable livelihoods.