Overview
Pollution of the sea in Tasmanian State waters may be regulated by general pollution laws such as the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994, but the Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substance Act 1987 deals specifically with discharges of oil and other pollutants from ships. In accordance with current national arrangements, the Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substance Act 1987 gives effect in Tasmania to the MARPOL international convention on marine pollution.
Outside of Tasmanian waters, pollution is controlled by the Australian Government under the Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983 and the Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981 and other legislation.
Sewage discharge
In regard to the discharge of sewage from vessels, a sewage management directive has been issued in consultation with the Director of Public Health, in
accordance with section 25CC of the Pollution
of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substance Act 1987. The directive applies to
certain vessels in Tasmanian waters, and the Act provides that the offence of
sewage discharge will not apply to a discharge from a vessel which complies
with the directive.
Legislation online
The Act is available online at Tasmania’s legislation website.
Regulations made under the Act include:
