The EPA has joined forces with Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) to create a video aimed at raising awareness of proper vessel sewage management and the requirements of waste disposal on boats.
Introduced by the EPA, Tasmania has two Sewage Management Directives to protect the environment and public health that specify where boat owners and operators may and may not release sewage into local waters.
Vessels must not discharge sewage that is not disinfected into any of the following:
- Any inland waterway
- Any marina, designated mooring area or canal
- Any marine resources protected area established under the Living Marine Resources Act 1995
- Any waters less than 5 metres deep
- Within 500 metres of any operating shellfish farms
- Within 120 metres of a person in the water
- Any other waters within 1 nautical mile (1,852 metres) of any land, including islands
- Several estuaries, harbours, bays and inlets as outlined in the Sewage Management Directives.
If you're unable to treat your wastewater onboard, the EPA recommends containing wastewater, including rubbish, on your vessel until it can be properly disposed of on land. Disposing of sewage at sea should be considered the last resort, rather than the only option.
This collaborative project between MAST and the EPA aims to highlight options for managing sewage waste on the water and build awareness of the directives, to protect our oceans and waterways. To watch the video, read the Directives and access practical information on restricted and permissible discharge zones, visit Boat Sewage Management.
Published on:
22/05/2024