Flag/Unflag
Stow it Don't Throw it
Garbage pollution from vessels
Boat users have traditionally dumped their garbage into the sea as a matter of course. Oceans were seen as vast domains in which garbage became invisible because it either decayed or sank.
Today the situation is very different, mainly because we all use so many non-biodegradable products such as plastics. Once thrown into the sea, they are extremely persistent and potentially harmful to humans and marine life.
The beauty of our coastlines and beaches is devalued as garbage accumulates. Beaches, often in remote places, are polluted by garbage washed up from the sea. Much of this garbage comes from ships, yachts, trawlers and other marine craft.
Garbage can be fatal for marine animals such as turtles and whales which mistake plastic bags for jellyfish - a source of food. Other plastic material can be mistaken as food and eaten by fish, seabirds and other marine life, causing death. Garbage also entangles seabirds, seals, turtles and fish, trapping and slowly choking them to death.
Garbage can also be costly for recreational boaters and the fishing industry. Rope and plastic material may get caught in propeller shafts or block water intakes causing major damage, expensive repairs and loss of income while vessels are repaired.
If you use the sea for recreational or commercial purposes it is in your interest to ensure that our seas stay clean and unpolluted.
The Law
To prevent pollution of the sea by garbage, laws impose strict controls and allow for heavy fines for polluters.
The garbage regulations are based on the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (known as MARPOL) and apply to all vessels including dinghies, yachts and fishing vessels.
All boat operators should be aware of two basic principles:
- No plastics thrown into the sea
- No garbage discharged within 12 nautical miles from the nearest land.
Operators of vessels are required to hold all garbage onboard for disposal at shore facilities.
If you are boating in the Great Barrier Reef region, you should know the discharge of all types of pollutants are prohibited. The only exception is the release of small quantities of food waste for the specific purpose of fish feeding for tourist or fishing operations.
The law does permit the disposal of certain types of garbage however there are strict requirements on where and how this can be done. Large vessels with specialised grinding/shredding equipment are able to discharge certain types of garbage when they are beyond a specific distance from land.
Penalties
Fines of up to $A1.3 million for companies and $A260,000 for individuals may be imposed on boat operators illegally discharging garbage at sea. To avoid a fine, bring your rubbish back to shore and don’t trash our seas.
Types of Garbage
Garbage from vessels may be domestic, operational or maintenance wastes. This includes but is not limited to:
| food wastes | paper products | rags |
| glass | metal | bottles |
| crockery | fishing gear | nets |
| bait boxes | lining | packing materials |
| deck sweepings | paints | wood products |
| wire | cargo residues | all plastic products etc |
Total Ban on Plastics
The discharge of plastics into the sea is totally prohibited in any location. Boat operators must retain all plastic material for disposal at port facilities. A wide variety of plastic products are manufactured. Sometimes you may not realise that a product contains plastic.
Plastic material used at sea includes:
| trawl and fishing nets | synthetic ropes | plastic sheeting |
| 'six pack' holders | electrical and electronic components | fibreglass |
| paints | floats | strapping bands |
| bags | disposable eating utensils | and many other products |
Complying with the Law
Boat operators need to plan ways to reduce the amount of garbage onboard. The best way to avoid a fine and comply with the law is simply to bring all your rubbish back to shore.
Minimise the amount of garbage you have onboard by carefully planning what you take to sea. For example don’t use disposable products - use crockery instead of paper cups and plates. If you compact or crush your garbage it will take up less space on the vessel and can be disposed later at shore facilities.
discarded trawl, gill and other fishing nets can become a navigational hazard and cause considerable damage and affect the safety of other vessels.
Fishing vessels must make every effort to retrieve all lost or damaged fishing gear. If you do lose fishing gear, report the approximate position and reasons for the loss to in Canberra. This allows other vessels to look out for and retrieve the gear.
If it is practicable, fishing gear should have degradable panels of natural material to reduce the potential for entanglement of marine life.
Shore Facilities
Under international law, facilities in ports for the disposal of waste from vessels are required. Facilities must be appropriate for the amount of boating activity in the area.
If shore facilities are not adequate for the disposal of your garbage, let the marina owner or port authority know. You should also notify State/Territory and local officials of the inadequate facilities. If enough people express concern the facilities are likely to be upgraded.
Shipboard waste management
MARPOL requires vessels over 400 tons to develop a waste management plan which contains procedures for collecting, storing, processing and disposal of garbage. Ships must be fitted with appropriate garbage handling equipment such as compactors or incinerators.
Vessels over 400 tons will also need to enter details of every garbage incineration or disposal in a garbage record book. The record book and any receipt for using a waste reception facility in port must be kept for two years and be available for inspection by authorities.