Australian Microplastic Assessment Project to hold Geraldton, Exmouth education sessions for ocean plastics

An organisation dedicated to helping clear the oceans of microplastic is heading to the Mid West for the first time to educate and collect data. The Australian Microplastic Assessment Project (AUSMAP) is a national citizen science program which aims to educate communities about microplastics and the dangers associated with them. The program is run nationally, with Geraldton and Exmouth to host training sessions next month. Program director Michelle Blewitt said data collection was an important part of solving the problem. “Our program has been designed so that we can work with local communities and train them to learn the methodology to go to any local waterway and be able to quantify the microplastics,” she said. “We’ve chosen to come up there to engage with local communities and to collect some baseline data because we dont have any in the region. “It’s a great opportunity to put those regions on the map for AUSMAP.” Microplastics are defined by the Department of Health as plastics less than 5mm in diameter and are often created from the breakdown of larger plastics. Ms Blewitt said the issues stemmed from plastic not being biodegradable. “There’s considered to be around 174 trillion pieces of microplastics in our oceans, and that’s growing everyday,” she said. “Every piece of plastic that’s ever been created in this universe is still here in one form or another, just broken up into smaller pieces. “It’s important to identify and educate people about those issues and empower them with the knowledge to be able to minimise plastic in their own lives.” The training sessions will consist of learning about microplastics and the issues associated with them, collecting data through finding samples along the coast, and a practical accreditation session to become an AUSMAP ambassador. Geraldton will hold its training day on Tuesday, June 4 from 8.45am at Geraldton’s Central Regional TAFE. Exmouth is set for its session on Friday, June 7 at the Exmouth Chamber of Commerce before a community event the following morning as part of world oceans day. The events are free of charge and anyone keen to take part is asked to reserve their spot online via Humanitix.