Mapping Microplastics Along Victoria’s Coast: AUSMAP Wraps Up Coastcare Grant in Mornington

AUSMAP
Jun 2
2 min read

After 6 months of hands-on science, community engagement, and coastal discovery, AUSMAP is proud to announce the completion of our Coastcare Victoria Community Grant. This grant-supported project has enabled us to expand our national microplastic mapping program into key regions along Victoria’s beautiful yet vulnerable coastline.

Our Project

Microplastics—tiny plastic fragments less than 5mm in size—pose a growing threat to marine ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. Through this grant, AUSMAP aimed to:

Fill data gaps within the Mornington Peninsula Region
Engage local communities in hands-on microplastic research
Build capacity through training and education
Contribute data to our national microplastic database and Hotspot Map

Where We Worked

Our team, in collaboration with community groups, schools, and Coastcare volunteers, collected data from multiple sites across the Mornington Peninsula to gain a clearer picture of where microplastics are accumulating—and what that means for local environments.

Key Achievements

6 microplastic sampling events
13 volunteers trained in AUSMAP’s scientific method
72 kg of macro debris collected with Beach Patrol
68 Volunteers engaged in various community events
126 microplastics collected, categorised and logged
Equivalent to 260 volunteer hours
Significant engagement with local councils, Coastcare groups, and educators
Data submitted to our national database to inform future action

These outcomes wouldn’t have been possible without the passion and commitment of the communities we worked with. From fieldwork to data processing, every contribution played a role in building a clearer picture of microplastic pollution in Victoria.

See the new data points on our hotspot map here:

Why This Matters

Victoria’s coastline is not only ecologically rich—it’s deeply connected to the lives and livelihoods of thousands of people. By equipping everyday Australians with tools to investigate and understand microplastic pollution, we’re helping to inform better local action and drive behaviour change for protection of our local environment.

Looking Ahead

Although the grant has officially wrapped up, the impact will continue. An AUSMAP hub was established with the Mt Martha Beach Patrol for local trained community members to continue understanding the changes in pollution levels overtime. The data collected through this program is now part of AUSMAP’s national Hotspot Map, a publicly accessible tool used by researchers, policymakers and educators.

We’re incredibly grateful to Coastcare Victoria and the Victorian Government for supporting this important work. And to every volunteer, partner and participant: thank you. Together, we’re turning data into action—and microplastic awareness into lasting change.

VIEW THE FULL REPORT HERE