Database
We created the Australian Marine Debris Initiative® (AMDI) Database to enable volunteers and organisations who run beach clean-up events to collect data on what they were finding with a consistent methodology, so it could be collated into a standardised national database on marine debris
The Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) network contributes data from rubbish collected during clean-up events to the AMDI Database.
Since 2004 more than 24 million pieces of data have been inputted into the AMDI Database, creating a comprehensive overview of what amounts and types of marine debris are impacting beaches around the country.
The network contributes data from rubbish collected during clean-up events to the AMDI Database.
The AMDI Database provides a free repository for data and free data collection app which enables users to easily capture, categorise and record data marine debris and litter removed at any location any time (AMDI can be used in any region of the world). View our free AMDI Database training and resources.
The data (after quality review) is then used in analysis:
- To identify litter and marine debris type and items.
- To identify potential release sources.
- To improve awareness and understanding of the impacts of litter and marine debris.
- To develop source reduction plans and interventions that prevent the release of litter and marine debris into the environment.
- To enable monitoring of the impacts of efforts and interventions.
The AMDI Network’s collaborative effort builds the evidence that is being used to create change and stops rubbish at the source.
View the list of the organisations and partners who have submitted data to the AMDI Database since 2017. Thank you to all our AMDI partners!
Submitting Data
You can submit data to AMDI any time and from anywhere via the AMDI App or Web App. Our free mobile applications are available on Google Play, the Apple App Store or you can view our Web App.
App features
- Searchable items
- In App editing
- In App personal Insights
- GPS
- In App camera
Getting technical?
The AMDI app can also be scaled to manage project data capture with custom workflows and forms for specific geometry (eg transects), rapid visual assessment tools and microplastic data capture.
You can also learn more about AMDI methodology.
Data Access
The Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) Database repository holds various data types, including spatial data, itemised data structures, and personal and organisational information, each with unique identifiers in a secure relational database on Amazon Web Services (AWS). Users and data contributors submit data electronically using AMDI Mobile and Web applications, optimised to ensure data is captured in line with AMDI classifications and methodologies.
The AMDI Database provides a centralised repository for litter and marine debris data to be collated for analysis. The Mobile and Web data capture applications are freely available for non-commercial use under the user Terms and Conditions.
Submitted data collections are taken at face value to ensure the information published is accurate and useful. Each collection submitted to the AMDI Database is checked against the AMDI QA criteria, and where errors and omissions are identified, they are remediated in consultation with the data submitter where possible.
AMDI uses a range of data to publicly visualise real-time spatial statistics and analysis that can be filtered to a local government level to generate awareness and identify types of litter and marine debris. These include graphics, item counts, aggregated ranked item listings, material details, and mapping, as well as acknowledgment of contributing organisations. Acknowledgment of the use of this data is required. Please see the Terms and Conditions of Use.
Users can access data they have entered via their user account in the AMDI App (mobile or web) by requesting a download using the “request my data” feature in their account and viewing their insights. Approved data will be emailed to the user’s account.
AMDI partner organisations with access to the AMDI administration console (amdi.tangaroablue.org) can export approved data belonging to the organisation. Using a simple filtering tool, users can select date ranges, sites, and projects.
Third-party access to data sets may be granted through our data use agreement processes, which detail the purpose of use and approvals for the release of data sets from data owners.
Researchers, entities, and government organisations may request third-party access to data not owned or contributed by them individually and custom data sets by completing a custom data request for assessment. It may not be possible to service all data requests. Some data sets may attract a fee for specialist services such as SQL data extraction into custom table structures, analysis and reports, or the construction of APIs for bulk data importing for analysis. When data is published publicly for any purpose, the Australian Marine Debris Initiative and data contributors must be acknowledged as listed in the Data Use Agreement provided.