It’s hard to solve a problem you can’t see. The Australian Microplastic Assessment Project (AUSMAP) is Australia's first microplastic focused organisation, using citizen science to engage and inspire communities nation-wide and proven campaigning to stop microplastic pollution at the source. 

Until recently, microplastic pollution presented an invisible crisis. If no one could see the scale of the problem, how could we convince communities and governments to engage with one of the biggest threats to ocean wildlife and ourselves, that has emerged in our lifetime?

Now we have AUSMAP - an ambitious coalition of ambassadors including school students, universities, environment groups, community members and educators gathering critical new data about microplastic on our shorelines. Using the data collected by our network of citizen scientists and researchers, AUSMAP is creating vivid maps of microplastic pollution hotspots around Australia. Our database of over 1100 surveys is the largest shore-based microplastic dataset nationally. An invaluable resource providing key evidence, and insight into microplastic hotspots around the country in need of immediate action. Our work informs communities and governments to implement behaviour change, regulate industry, and develop better waste management systems.