Rise in ocean plastic pollution 'unprecedented'

There are an estimated 170 trillion pieces of plastic in the world's oceans today, according to new research published this week. (Photo: AFP)

PARIS: Plastic pollution in the world's oceans has reached "unprecedented levels" over the past 15 years, a new study has found, calling for a legally binding international treaty to stop the harmful waste.

Ocean plastic pollution is a persistent problem around the globe — animals may become entangled in larger pieces of plastic like fishing nets, or ingest microplastics that eventually enter the food chain to be consumed by humans.