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Marine oil pollution legislation
Find out about legislation that applies to marine pollution in Western Australia, including the international MARPOL Convention, and federal legislation.
International legislation
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)
The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL Convention), developed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), legislates pollution from ships travelling the world's oceans. It covers all forms of marine pollution, such as:
- Oil.
- Noxious liquid substances.
- Harmful substances in packaged form.
- Sewage.
- Garbage.
- Air pollution.
| International Maritime Organization | ||
|---|---|---|
Commonwealth legislation
The Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983 (Commonwealth) applies the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL Convention) within Australia, especially in areas where state and territories have not passed similar legislation.
| Federal Register of Legislation: Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983 | ||
|---|---|---|
Related Commonwealth legislation that covers marine pollution.
| Federal Register of Legislation: Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 | |
|---|---|
| Federal Register of Legislation: Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2009 |
State legislation
The Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1987 (WA), also known as POWBONS, protects the sea and other waters from pollution by oil and other noxious substances.
The Department of Transport also administers a number of different Acts that include responsibilities for managing marine pollution, such as:
- Marine and Harbours Act 1981 (WA).
- Shipping and Pilotage Act 1967 (WA).
- Western Australian Marine Act 1982 (WA).
- Navigable Waters Regulations 1958 (WA).
Other Western Australian legislation that cover marine pollution are:
- Emergency Management Act 2005 (WA).
- Emergency Management Regulations 2006 (WA).
- Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA).
- Environmental Protection Regulations 1987 (WA).
- Environmental Protection (Unauthorised Discharges) Regulations 2004 (WA).
- Petroleum Act 1967 (WA).
- Petroleum Pipelines Act 1969 (WA).
- Petroleum Pipelines (Environment) Regulations 2012 (WA)
- Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1982 (WA).
- Petroleum (Submerged Lands) (Environment) Regulations 2012 (WA).