Garbage pollution
Know about garbage
Some boat operators, deliberately or accidentally, throw their garbage into our waterways. Most of our garbage today is made from non-biodegradable products such as plastic, which stays in the marine environment for many years.
Garbage is hazardous to marine life and users of the waterways.
Some marine animals and seabirds can mistake plastic material for food. Others become entangled in garbage causing death.
Ropes and plastic material can get caught in propellers and block water intakes causing major damage or even loss of income while a boat is out of service for expensive repairs.
All boat operators need to manage the use and disposal of onboard garbage correctly.
Types of waste that need to be disposed of safely
- food waste
- paper products
- rags
- glass
- metal
- bottles
- crockery
- wire residues
- fishing gear
- nets
- bait boxes
- wood products
- packaging material
- deck sweepings
- all plastics.
Paint scrapings and residues from boat maintenance are also garbage pollution.
Play your part
Boat operators can help prevent waste entering our waterways by:
- not throwing anything overboard
- having secure bins or garbage bags to store garbage onboard until you return to shore
- buying stores in bulk to reduce the amount of packaging taken onboard
- using reusable airtight containers to store foods and leave packaging at home
- using crockery or reusable cups, plates and cutlery
- making the effort to retrieve lost or damaged fishing gear
- retrieving garbage if it does end in the water.
If shore facilities are not adequate for the disposal of your garbage, let the marina operator or port authority know. If enough people express concern the facilities may be upgraded.
Pollution is an offence
Whether your boat is large or small, it is an offence to deliberately discharge garbage into Queensland's coastal waters. Under the Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act 1995 severe penalties apply.
Everyone can help protect the marine environment by reporting pollution incidents to their local regional harbour master's office or port authority.
Reporting marine pollution
Contact your local Maritime Safety Queensland office.
Last updated 02 September 2009
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