From Debris to Data: How Citizen Science is Fighting Plastic in Mozambique.
- Angie Gullan
- Aug 6
- 2 min read
1: Various plastics, nets, rope on the high tide mark 2: Volunteers undertaking a survey in Ponta do Ouro
The Big Microplastic Survey (BMS), launched in July 2018 as a collaborative citizen science initiative by Just One Ocean and the University of Portsmouth, aimed to collect global data on microplastics (MP) and mesoplastics (MEP) in coastal and aquatic environments.
The project was designed to engage volunteers worldwide to gather data on plastic pollution, particularly in under-researched areas, using standardised protocols. By August 2019, the project was fully digitised, allowing volunteers to submit data via an online portal linked to a GIS database, enabling global participation and real-time data visualisation.
Dolphin Encountours Research Center, based in the Maputo National Park, became a key contributor particularly in Ponta do Ouro. From 2018 to April 2024, DERC submitted 115 surveys, making Mozambique one of the top contributors to the dataset. The surveys provide critical data on secondary microplastics, highlighting local pollution patterns and supporting global efforts to understand coastal plastic distribution.
The Center’s involvement underscored the value of community-driven research in low and middle income countries, where traditional scientific monitoring is often limited. Their work helped identify regional variations, such as high secondary MP prevalence, contributing to the BMS’s mission to inform conservation strategies and policy.
Summary of the publication, titled: The potential contribution of citizen science data in the study of coastal microplastic and mesoplastic distributions.
Global Citizen Science Impact: The Big Microplastic Survey (BMS) engaged volunteers from 39 countries, collecting 1089 surveys to study microplastics (MP) and mesoplastics (MEP) in coastal areas, highlighting the power of citizen science in addressing plastic pollution globally.
Mozambique’s Significant Contribution: Mozambique led with high data submission rates, with 115 surveys, primarily from Maputo and Inhambane provinces; showcasing strong community involvement in monitoring coastal plastic pollution.
Regional Insights from Mozambique: Both provinces showed high levels of secondary microplastics, with distinct colour and type patterns, indicating local variations influenced by coastal processes.
Data Challenges and Opportunities: The study notes spatial biases in Mozambique’s data, with limited geographic spread, but emphasises citizen science’s potential to fill knowledge gaps in under-resourced regions like Mozambique.
Supporting Conservation Efforts: The BMS data supports global efforts to combat plastic pollution, with Mozambique’s contributions aiding in understanding local marine impacts, crucial for coastal ecosystems and dolphin habitats.
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