This Strategy Aims to Protect Coastal Waters through Partnerships with Shipping Industries

The ability of Australia and New Zealand to protect coastal and offshore waters from shipping pollution has been strengthened with the June 1996 release of a joint government strategy.

Entitled Working Together to Reduce Impacts from Shipping Operations: ANZECC Strategy to Protect the Marine Environment, the strategy pulls together a number of initiatives developed by ANZECC's Standing Committee on Environmental Protection.

These initiatives promote:

• Improved port waste reception facilities;
• Better management of marine debris and ballast and hull transfers;
• Communicating better with shipping about environmentally sensitive operations;
• More benign anti-foulants; and
• Education and outreach programs.

Three national surveys completed during 1996, provide important baselines for evaluating future improved performance and management on waste reception facilities at ports, boat harbours and marinas and marine debris research and management strategies.
What is the strategy's objective?

This national Strategy aims to enhance the protection of the marine environment through promoting best practice to improve waste management and to reduce pollution from shipping, and to communicate effectively with shipping about environmental values.

Its Action Plan covers 12 issues:

1. communicating about areas sensitive to shipping and boating operations;
2. managing contaminated ballast and hull transfers;
3. improving port waste reception facilities;
4. improving anti-fouling practices;
5. managing marine debris;
6. involving the community;
7. promoting education and outreach programs;
8. promoting targeted and resourced research;
9. developing industry action;
10. contributing to IMO and other international activities;
11. promoting improved shipping standards; and
12. promoting use of environmental impact assessment.

Source: http://www.environment.gov.au/