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Marine oil pollution legislation

Find out about legislation that applies to marine pollution in Western Australia, including the international MARPOL Convention, and federal legislation.

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  International legislation

International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL Convention), developed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), legislates pollution from ships travelling the world's oceans. It covers all forms of marine pollution, such as:

  • Oil.
  • Noxious liquid substances.
  • Harmful substances in packaged form.
  • Sewage.
  • Garbage.
  • Air pollution.
Opens in a new window International Maritime Organization

  Commonwealth legislation

The Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983 (Commonwealth) applies the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL Convention) within Australia, especially in areas where state and territories have not passed similar legislation.

Opens in a new window Federal Register of Legislation: Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983

Related Commonwealth legislation that covers marine pollution.

Opens in a new window Federal Register of Legislation: Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006
Opens in a new window Federal Register of Legislation: Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2009

  State legislation

The Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1987 (WA), also known as POWBONS, protects the sea and other waters from pollution by oil and other noxious substances.

The Department of Transport also administers a number of different Acts that include responsibilities for managing marine pollution, such as:

  • Marine and Harbours Act 1981 (WA).
  • Shipping and Pilotage Act 1967 (WA).
  • Western Australian Marine Act 1982 (WA).
  • Navigable Waters Regulations 1958 (WA).

Other Western Australian legislation that cover marine pollution are:

  • Emergency Management Act 2005 (WA).
    • Emergency Management Regulations 2006 (WA).
  • Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA).
    • Environmental Protection Regulations 1987 (WA).
    • Environmental Protection (Unauthorised Discharges) Regulations 2004 (WA).
  • Petroleum Act 1967 (WA).
  • Petroleum Pipelines Act 1969 (WA).
    • Petroleum Pipelines (Environment) Regulations 2012 (WA)
  • Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1982 (WA).
    • Petroleum (Submerged Lands) (Environment) Regulations 2012 (WA).
Opens in a new window Department of Justice: Emergency Management Act 2005 (WA)
Opens in a new window Department of Justice: Emergency Management Regulations 2006 (WA)
Opens in a new window Department of Justice: Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA)
Opens in a new window Department of Justice: Environmental Protection Regulations 1987 (WA)
Opens in a new window Department of Justice: Environmental Protection (Unauthorised Discharges) Regulations 2004 (WA)
Opens in a new window Department of Justice: Navigable Waters Regulations 1958 (WA)
Opens in a new window Department of Justice: Marine and Harbours Act 1981 (WA)
Opens in a new window Department of Justice: Petroleum Act 1967 (WA)
Opens in a new window Department of Justice: Petroleum Pipelines Act 1969 (WA)
Opens in a new window Department of Justice: Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1982 (WA)
Opens in a new window Department of Justice: Petroleum (Submerged Lands) (Environment) Regulations 2012 (WA)
Opens in a new window Department of Justice: Pollution of Waters by Oil and Noxious Substances Act 1987 (WA)
Opens in a new window Department of Justice: Shipping and Pilotage Act 1967 (WA)
Opens in a new window Department of Justice: Western Australian Marine Act 1982 (WA)
Page last updated: Thu Nov 25 2021 11:27:57 AM