Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Published on Australian Maritime Safety Authority (https://www.amsa.gov.au)

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Marine pollution

Australia implements a range of standards and regulations to protect the marine environment from pollution. These standards and regulations ensure we meet international obligations. You must comply with these regulations and report marine pollution incidents.

You may also need to make a general incident report [1].
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Pollution reporting

Find out how to report a marine pollution incident.

  • General marine pollution reporting

    Reporting general marine pollution helps us to respond quickly to an incident to minimise damage to...
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    [2]
  • Mandatory MARPOL pollution reporting

    In some circumstances, it is mandatory to make a MARPOL report for certain pollution incidents.
    Read more
    [3]

MARPOL discharges

Find out about the discharge requirements you are subject to under MARPOL. These requirements apply to oil, noxious liquid substances, sewage, garbage and air emissions.

  • Discharge standards

    A summary of discharge standards under MARPOL and local regulations if you are operating your...
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    [4]
  • Discharges in emergencies

    Maritime discharges of oil and noxious liquid substances during emergencies and pollution response...
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    [5]
  • Pollution from fishing vessels

    You have a responsibility not to pollute the sea, and to be aware of the laws about oil and garbage...
    Read more
    [6]

MARPOL Convention

MARPOL is the main international convention for preventing ship sourced pollution.

  • MARPOL and its implementation in Australia

    The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is the main...
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    [7]
  • Current MARPOL texts

    Current MARPOL texts for Annex I to Annex VI and Protocol 1.
    Read more
    [8]
  • Table of MARPOL amendments

    Amendment table for MARPOL, including date of entry into force.
    Read more
    [9]
  • Nearest land under MARPOL

    You must be a specific distance from the nearest land before a discharge at sea can be made.
    Read more
    [10]

Vessel waste management

You will need to follow specific requirements for the management and disposal of waste. Make sure you carry appropriate documentation to prove your compliance.

  • Garbage management

    It is mandatory under Australian maritime legislation for certain vessels and fixed or floating...
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    [11]
  • Garbage management plan example

    If you are not sure how to put together your garbage management plan, you can follow this example.
    Read more
    [12]
  • Waste reception facilities in Australian ports

    There are efficient, safe and environmentally responsible port waste reception facilities you...
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    [13]
  • Garbage placard for fixed or floating platforms

    Garbage placard stickers for fixed or floating platforms are available from us free of charge. 
    Read more
    [14]
  • Garbage placard for large vessels

    Garbage placards for large vessels are available from us free of charge.
    Read more
    [15]
  • Garbage placard for small vessels

    Garbage placard stickers for small vessels are available from us free of charge. 
    Read more
    [16]
  • Garbage placard for domestic commercial vessels

    Garbage placard stickers for domestic vessels are available from us free of charge. 
    Read more
    [17]
  • Managing solid bulk cargo residues in Australian waters

    All ships must follow the requirements of MARPOL Annex V when discharging cargo residue. 
    Read more
    [18]

Regulations and standards

Our maritime safety and protection of the sea laws implement international and national standards.

  • Protection of the sea conventions and legislation

    We coordinate a national pollution prevention and response strategy to protect Australia's marine...
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    [19]
  • North-East Shipping Management Plan

    The Great Barrier Reef, Torres Strait and Coral Sea are unique, diverse and among the most well-...
    Read more
    [20]
  • Review of the North-East Shipping Management Plan

    As part of the North-East Shipping Management Plan, governments have implemented a range of actions...
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    [21]
  • North-East Shipping Management Plan—action update

    The North-East Shipping Management Plan identifies actions based on information about the nature of...
    Read more
    [22]

Source URL: https://www.amsa.gov.au/marine-environment/marine-pollution

Links
[1] https://www.amsa.gov.au/vessels-operators/incident-reporting
[2] https://www.amsa.gov.au/marine-environment/marine-pollution/general-marine-pollution-reporting
[3] https://www.amsa.gov.au/marine-environment/marine-pollution/mandatory-marpol-pollution-reporting
[4] https://www.amsa.gov.au/marine-environment/marine-pollution/discharge-standards
[5] https://www.amsa.gov.au/marine-environment/marine-pollution/discharges-emergencies
[6] https://www.amsa.gov.au/marine-environment/marine-pollution/pollution-fishing-vessels
[7] https://www.amsa.gov.au/marine-environment/marine-pollution/marpol-and-its-implementation-australia
[8] https://www.amsa.gov.au/marine-environment/marine-pollution/current-marpol-texts
[9] https://www.amsa.gov.au/marine-environment/marine-pollution/table-marpol-amendments
[10] https://www.amsa.gov.au/marine-environment/marine-pollution/nearest-land-under-marpol
[11] https://www.amsa.gov.au/marine-environment/marine-pollution/garbage-management
[12] https://www.amsa.gov.au/marine-environment/marine-pollution/garbage-management-plan-example
[13] https://www.amsa.gov.au/marine-environment/marine-pollution/waste-reception-facilities-australian-ports
[14] https://www.amsa.gov.au/marine-environment/marine-pollution/garbage-placard-fixed-or-floating-platforms
[15] https://www.amsa.gov.au/marine-environment/marine-pollution/garbage-placard-large-vessels
[16] https://www.amsa.gov.au/marine-environment/marine-pollution/garbage-placard-small-vessels
[17] https://www.amsa.gov.au/marine-environment/marine-pollution/garbage-placard-domestic-commercial-vessels
[18] https://www.amsa.gov.au/vessels-operators/cargoes-and-dangerous-goods/managing-solid-bulk-cargo-residues-australian-waters
[19] https://www.amsa.gov.au/protection-sea-conventions-and-legislation-australia
[20] https://www.amsa.gov.au/marine-environment/marine-pollution/north-east-shipping-management-plan
[21] https://www.amsa.gov.au/marine-environment/marine-pollution/review-north-east-shipping-management-plan
[22] https://www.amsa.gov.au/marine-environment/marine-pollution/north-east-shipping-management-plan-action-update