An international all-women sailing crew studying ocean plastic pollution is due to arrive in Tonga next week as part of a global scientific expedition aimed at tracing marine plastic waste back to its sources on land.

The voyage, led by UK-based environmental organisation eXXpedition in partnership with the University of Georgia, will arrive in Nuku’alofa on Monday 25 May after sailing from the Bay of Islands in New Zealand.

The team is conducting what organisers describe as the first global study designed to map ocean plastics to their land-based origins. Scientists and crew members have been collecting water samples across the Pacific and analysing microplastics using onboard research equipment.

eXXpedition founder Emily Penn said smaller island nations such as Tonga were often among the least responsible for global plastic pollution but faced some of its most severe impacts.

“Plastic is polluting our entire ocean, and it is often smaller ocean communities like Tonga that contribute least to the problem that suffer the most,” she said in a statement.

During its stay, the crew plans to visit communities in Tongatapu, Ha’apai and Vava’u while examining local waste management and marine pollution challenges. Public outreach activities will also be held, including a free presentation and knowledge-sharing session at Pasilika Conference Room in Nuku’alofa on 26 May.

The expedition is expected to depart Tonga on 4 June before continuing its Pacific research programme.