Legal
Related Reef Practices
Apart from the fact that it's just plain unsightly and can be a navigational hazard, litter is also a significant danger to wildlife. Turtles, dolphins and whales have died after mistaking floating plastic bags for food and eating them. Fish, birds and marine mammals often become entangled in fishing debris. Litter and debris on nesting beaches can interfere with a turtle's ability to scoop out an egg chamber and deposit eggs and may even prevent hatchlings from reaching the sea.
Please continue to help keep the Reef beautiful and safe by observing these very simple, yet incredibly important, practices.
Responsible Reef Practices
- Do not throw rubbish (such as food scraps, plastic, paper, fishing gear, and cigarette butts) overboard - take it back to shore for proper disposal.
- Secure all loose articles, clothing and towels on the deck, to prevent them blowing off or accidentally falling overboard.
- Have plenty of properly secured rubbish bins and garbage bags on vessels and encourage their use.
- Do not overfill bins and make sure lids are securely fastened so they don't fly off.
- Make it easy for clients to properly dispose of cigarette butts (e.g. provide recycled film canisters).
- Retrieve everything accidentally dropped overboard.
- Retrieve all entangled fishing gear, where possible.
- Collect all litter from the water and the Reef whenever you see it.
- Do not throw travelsick bags over the side of the vessel - this is illegal.
- Use reusable or biodegradable products (for example, washable crockery and cloth napkins), where feasible.
- Minimise packaging and pre-packaged food.
- Include anti-littering messages in interpretation programs.
Reporting
- Please report marine pollution including illegal discharges of rubbish and waste.
