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Pollution from Fishing Vessels

Fishing vessels are a significant contributor to pollution incidents reported to marine authorities around Australia. Fishermen have an added responsibility not to pollute the resource which provides their livelihood. The following provides information on the laws regarding oil and garbage pollution from vessels and suggests ways to minimise and prevent such pollution.

The Law

Pollution of the marine environment by ships of all types, including fishing vessels, is strictly controlled by the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (known as MARPOL). Australia is a signatory to this convention, which is now enforced in over 100 countries. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) applies the Convention in Australian waters. Its regulations are implemented through Commonwealth and State/NT legislation.

Penalties for not complying with the law are up to $260,000 for individuals and $1.3 million for companies. The Australian MARPOL regulations apply to Australian fishing vessels wherever they are operating. Australian laws can be applied against foreign fishing vessels operating anywhere within Australia's 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

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Oil Pollution

The discharge of oily mixtures into the sea is prohibited.

The only allowable discharge of an oily mixture is where a discharge rate of 15 parts of oil to one million parts of water (15ppm) is achieved through oil filtering/separating equipment. All vessels over 400 tons are required to be fitted with this type of equipment which must also be approved to meet standards set by the International Maritime Organization.

Vessels under 400 tons must comply with the discharge restrictions but are exempted from any specific ship-board equipment requirement. In most cases this means that oily residues must be stored onboard for disposal at port waste reception facilities. This includes diesel, hydraulic fluids and bilge water with any concentration of oil.

Reduce the potential of an oil discharge:

All leakage of fuel oil, lubricating oil and cooling water should be dealt with immediately it is detected. If repairs cannot be carried out by the crew at sea, they should be done as soon as the vessel reaches port.
A drip tray should be fitted under all engines with suitable drainage to a holding tank or drum for disposal ashore.
Ensure that engine rooms and other machinery spaces are fitted with simple sump plumbing so that any leakage is collected in the sump instead of the bilge.
Ensure propeller shaft gland has not deteriorated.
Fit high efficiency by pass oil filters which can extend the life of the engine oil and decrease the need for frequent oil changes.

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Garbage Pollution

There are two basic principles for the disposal of garbage at sea:

Plastics are prohibited from disposal into the sea.
No other garbage may be discharged within 12 nautical miles from the nearest land.

Plastic materials used at sea includes synthetic materials such as:

trawl and fishing nets
synthetic rope
plastic sheeting
"six pack" holders
fibreglass
strapping bands
plastic "ice" bags
bait gaskets
paints
electrical/electronic
disposable eating utensils
floats

Many marine animals (including target fish species) die as a result of becoming entangled in or ingesting discarded plastic packing straps; netting of all kinds; monofilament line; nylon rope; plastic and polyweave bags and sheeting; bait holders and foam items. Plastics which shatter into smaller fragments are mistaken for food or ingested accidentally.

Garbage such as rope and plastic material can also get caught in propeller shafts or block water intakes causing major damage and expensive repairs.

The law states that 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 the nearest port authority or the Australian Search and Rescue Centre 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.

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Plan to reduce and store your garbage

The best way to avoid these problems and the possibility of fines is to minimise the taking aboard of potential garbage and on-board generation of garbage. This will reduce problems associated with on-board handling and storing of garbage for disposal ashore. Provisions packaged in or made of materials other than disposable plastic should be selected to replenish ship supplies, unless a reusable plastic alterative is available. Industry is trying to assist fishermen to reduce debris before going to sea by redesigning packaging, eg bait cartons.

If fishing vessels are unable to incinerate their rubbish, they will need sufficient storage space and equipment (e.g. cans, drums, bags or other containers) to retain all plastics for disposal ashore. If operating within 12 nautical miles of land, all garbage will need to be retained for disposal ashore.

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Garbage Waste Management Onboard

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 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.

All vessels over of 12 metres or more in length are required to display placards setting out the disposal requirements of MARPOL.

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Suppliers have a valuable role to play

The use of bait cartons that are free of plastic strapping and lining is becoming more widespread. Plastic-free bait cartons are manufactured in Australia, are cheaper and easier to use, and their exclusive use is a significant first step in managing the tasks associated with the level of potential fines.

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Shore facilities

If shore facilities are not adequate for the disposal of your oil or garbage, let the marina owner or port authority know. You should also notify State/Territory and local officials of the inadequate facilities. If enough fishermen express concern upgrading of the facilities is likely.

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Operating in the Great Barrier Reef

For vessels operating in the Great Barrier Reef Area, measuring distances from the "nearest land" for permitted discharges means from the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef.

Therefore no discharge of marine pollutants are permitted within the Great Barrier Reef region.

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Reporting Pollution

Under the laws, pollution or potential pollution incidents should be reported to the authorities. Vessels will avoid prosecution where an accident has occurred and everything has been done to minimise the pollution. Not reporting a pollution incident may result in a fine. Reporting pollution may eliminate your vessel as a suspect.

Pollution incidents can be reported to the Australian Search and Rescue Centre or the local port/marine/ transport authority, and the incident will be investigated. Please provide relevant details of the incident such as when and where incident occurred, name of the vessel, type and extent of pollution and any other information.

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The Australian Search and Rescue Centre operates 24 hours a day and can be contacted on:

Freecall: 1800 641 792
Ph: (02) 6230 6811
Fax: (02) 6230 6868

Pollution report messages via a Telstra Maritime Station are free of charge.

For further information on the legislation, contact:

Environment Protection Standards
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
GPO Box 2181
Canberra City ACT 2601
Phone: 02 6279 5015
Facsimile: 02 6279 5026
Email: Environment Protection Standards

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last updated: 15 February 2005