Outlook Online 2009

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority :: Pollution and marine debris

Pollution and marine debris

Marine turtle trapped in debris. Photo DEHThe dumping of litter is prohibited inside the Marine Park, but increasing amounts of debris, such as plastics and discarded fishing line, enter the marine environment every year. The feeding strategies of dugongs and marine turtles mean that they associate with areas where oceanic or coastal debris concentrates. Discarded lines, ropes and fishing nets can entangle marine turtles causing them to die from drowning or starvation. Plastic bags may be mistaken for food and ingested by turtles. Fishing line can be accidentally swallowed while dugongs and turtles feed on the seabed. Every year, a small number of marine mammals and turtles die or float ashore on Queensland beaches as the result of ingesting or becoming entangled in marine debris.

Debris on nesting beaches can interfere with a turtle's ability to dig an egg chamber and deposit eggs and may prevent hatchlings from reaching the sea. Some of the rubbish is from ships, fishing vessels or recreational boats. Much of the rubbish is washed from beaches or down rivers and storm water drains from the streets or towns.

Actions

  • A range of marine pollution legislation at the international, national and state level prohibit the dumping of garbage in the Marine Park - with heavy penalties for breaches (up to $22 000 for an individual. In certain circumstances, the owner of the vessel may also be liable and face penalties of up to $220 000, or where the owner is a company $1.1 million) 
  • Clean-up programmes run by volunteer groups are able to clean some beaches and waterways
  • Some municipal councils and road construction and building authorities install litter traps on waterways to collect litter before it reaches the sea
  • Public campaigns to decrease the number of plastic shopping bags and reduce littering help to lower the risks to turtles
  • A 'ReefGuide' brochure, distributed world wide, outlines mariner responsibilities with respect to waste management when sailing through the Marine Park
  • A range of other awareness material on the dangers of debris and pollutants to marine wildlife is promulgated through school and community education programmes (for example, AUSMEPA)
  • The Australian Marine Safety Authority conducts intensive enforcement campaigns to ensure compliance with waste discharges and to control poor waste management practices on ships
  • Reef Pilots receive regular training about marine pollution legislation and reporting
  • A growing network of Reef Guardian schools has been established to assist with educating students to care for the Great Barrier Reef (GBRMPA).

Marine debris has been listed as a Key Threatening Process and a Threat Abatement Plan is being developed by the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Water Resources.

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