Global plastic production is estimated to be 390.7 million tonnes per annum [1]. Mismanaged plastic waste inadvertently pollutes our oceans, with an estimated 5.25 trillion floating fragments [2]. Microplastics (fragments <5 mm) have been suggested to disproportionately accumulate and become trapped in mangroves and seagrass meadows, creating plastic ‘sinks’. This is cause for concern as these ecosystems are of great ecological and economic importance. Microplastics can cause toxicological harm to flora and fauna, and may be contributing to the decline seen in these ecosystems. However, the ability to measure the abundance of microplastics and determine potential impacts is difficult due to a lack of standardized protocols. A range of methodologies for water and sediment collection (two of the most common media collected) have been utilized. Contrasting sampling methodologies limit the ability to compare findings globally, and may be a potential driver for conflicting results observed between different research teams [3]. Therefore, a systematic literature review has been carried out to identify the most widely adopted microplastic sampling methods; determine method efficacy against current protocols; and propose best-practice methods for future sampling procedures in seagrasses and mangroves.