Marine pollution
New Zealand’s coastal and marine resources are at risk from land-based sources of marine pollution, ocean dumping and oil spills. Several of our international obligations regulate activities with potential for these environmental effects. These include the 1973 Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and the 1971 Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter [London (Dumping) Convention].
MARPOL aims to eliminate pollution of the sea by oil and other toxic
substances which might be discharged during normal operations, or released
accidentally as a result of collisions or stranding of ships. The London
Dumping Convention regulates the dumping at sea of wastes and other
matter.
The Resource Management (Marine Pollution) Amendment Regulations came
into force in July 2002. The amendment was made to increase the protection
for marine farms, customary fishing reserves and marine reserves from
sewage discharges from boats. The Regulations now provide for two standards
of treated sewage for boats Grade A and Grade B on board sewage treatment
systems.
Last updated: 17 September 2007
