A/HRC/43/53/Add.1 57 per cent of recyclable waste from vehicles, white goods, cans, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), paper and cardboard in Fiji is now exported, reused or recycled. Plastics 90. Like people around the world, Fijians are increasingly concerned about the environmental impacts of plastics, on oceans in particular. Scientists have found plastic microparticles in the air, drinking water and seafood. As a nation that depends heavily on fisheries, Fiji is rightly concerned by studies finding microplastics in 97 per cent of fish species sampled in Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa and Easter Island. Hundreds of wildlife species, from whales and seabirds to crabs and turtles, are harmed by ingesting plastic or becoming entangled in it. Plastic is particularly problematic in Fiji because of inadequate waste management services, leading to the burning of garbage containing plastic, which produces highly carcinogenic dioxins and furans. A survey of litter in Fiji revealed that the majority of littered items are plastic wrappers, plastic bags and plastic bottles. Plastic refuse has also been implicated in blocking drainage systems, exacerbating the serious problem of flooding. 91. A plastic bag levy of F$ 0.10 per bag was introduced by the Government in 2017 and has now been raised to F$ 0.50, with the intention of banning single-use plastic bags in 2020. Early evidence indicates that the plastic bag levy is working, reducing plastic bag use in the first year by millions. Styrofoam will be banned in 2021. Along with ongoing public education efforts and plans to improve the coverage of waste management services, these are good steps, but a more comprehensive approach to the problems posed by plastic is needed. 92. Given the substantial costs involved in recycling plastics and other items, a particularly promising approach is extended producer responsibility, which shifts the burden of operating and paying for recycling systems from Governments to the industries that produce or import packaging or products. Extended producer responsibility regulations have proven effective in other nations not only for plastic bottles and packaging but also for a wide range of products and packaging, including batteries, newspapers, tires, consumer electronics, white goods and motor vehicles. Marine pollution 93. The Special Rapporteur spoke to citizens and government officials concerned about pollution entering the ocean from land and ships, damaging fisheries, coral reefs and other marine ecosystems. These individuals also highlighted the environmental threats posed by derelict, abandoned and sunken ships. From the shore, he saw a number of derelict vessels in the otherwise breathtakingly beautiful Bay of Islands. Divers showed him disturbing videos of underwater pollution in Suva Harbour. 94. Despite the rules in place under the Sea Ports Management Act and the Maritime Transport Act, there are limited human and financial resources for enforcing environmental regulations relating to pollution from ships. There are currently 23 officers responsible for both ship safety and environmental protection, but their safety responsibilities leave little time for environmental monitoring or enforcement. 95. Fiji is considering the creation of a separate marine environmental enforcement unit to address these implementation, monitoring and enforcement challenges. Given the importance of healthy oceans to the people, culture and economy of Fiji, the Special Rapporteur strongly encourages the Government to make this a priority, along with other initiatives to strengthen the enforcement of environmental laws and regulations. Mining 96. Human rights are important to the sustainable use of mineral resources, as improper mining can contaminate air, water and soil, affecting the human rights to health, food, water and a healthy environment. The legislation governing mining in Fiji is outdated and needs to be modernized. Numerous draft revisions have been produced but never enacted. The Special Rapporteur also heard from citizens and civil society organizations concerned about potential deep-sea mining, which would add yet another threat to already troubled ocean ecosystems. In 2019, the Attorney General of Fiji announced plans for a 10-year moratorium on deep-sea mining. 16