Marine pollution
The Queensland Government plays an important role in managing and protecting Queensland's marine and coastal environment. We are working with local government authorities to prosecute people who deliberately or negligently discharge pollutants into coastal waters. Marine pollutants include:
- oil (including diesel, petrol and oil products) and oily residues or mixtures
- chemicals and chemical residues
- sewage
- garbage (food wastes, paper products, rags, glass, metal, bottles, crockery, fishing gear, nets, bait boxes, lining, packing material, deck sweepings, paints, wood products, wire residues and all plastics).
It is an offence to discharge pollutants into Queensland waters (either deliberately or negligently), and severe penalties apply. The applicable pollution prevention documents must be carried by ships operating in Queensland waters.
Everyone can help protect our waters by reporting marine pollution incidents to a local Maritime Safety Queensland office.