Marine Pollution Concerns PDF Print E-mail
Written by Matthew Hodson   
Monday, 15 June 2009 13:18
After all the rain of late, this is a photo taken a few kilometers north of the Tangalooma Wrecks on the inside of Moreton Bay in Queensland that I received.  Whilst one of our clients was traveling over to the wrecks the amount of plastic and rubbish in the bay and on the beach was disturbing. Although I am a little skeptical by nature, my thoughts suddenly started to wander about the Governments insistence that the boaties are causing  turtle and dugong deaths due to boat strike, but seeing this again after heavy rain I am starting to wonder……

The boating fraternity is out there to enjoy nature, not destroy it. So I ask the EPA and the bureaucrats of government, what measures have been undertaken to stop all this land based pollution from entering the waterways and what action are you taking to stop it? Rather than blame the recreational boaties?
State recreational marine industry body, Marine Queensland has now also spoken out over concerns regarding the increased levels of pollution being reported in our waterways

It is estimated that 100,000 marine mammals and turtles are killed annually from plastics litter around the globe.

“We all share a responsibility in keeping our waterways and beaches clean” said Don Jones, General Manager Marine Queensland.
“Contrary to popular belief as to the source of marine pollution, it is those who use the water the most – recreational boaties and fishermen – who are most passionate about preserving the marine environment”.

Whilst deliberate littering is a major issue for our beaches, bays and waterways, the greatest contributor to waterways pollution is the waste that occurs as a result of run-off from streets and roads via storm water drains.  A recent report released by the United Nations indicated that as much as 80% of the rubbish found in our waterways has come from the land.

“In Queensland, significant research and debate has been centered on designating ‘marine parks’ and ‘green zones’ to preserve our marine environments and the marine life therein.  It makes a mockery of the process when the hard work is undone by stray plastic bags and water bottles that have drifted into the ocean from the mainland” said Jones.

“The only way we will be able to reduce the pollution in our oceans is to reduce the pollution on our mainland.”
Marine Queensland has identified measures we can all take, both on and off the water to reduce our impact on the environment:
  • Be conscious of rubbish.  Always make sure your rubbish ends up in the rubbish or recycle bin at the end of a fishing trip.  Pick up a stray bit of rubbish floating by your boat or washed up on the beach.
  • Be careful when refueling or conducting boat maintenance whilst out on the water.  Take care to avoid spilling fuel and oil.
  • When emptying sewage holding tanks make sure you do so at a designated sewage collection outlet or in at the very least, in accordance with the rules and regulations set out by the local government or port authority.
  • Do not dispose of solvents, oils, paints, varnish, thinners, paint strippers, pesticides, poisons, fertilisers, acids and solid objects down the drain.  Check with you local council as to the correct, and environmentally friendly, methods of disposal for these items.
  • When washing the car and boat at home, try to do this on the lawn or a grassy area.  This will minimise the run off of detergents that will find their way into storm water drains and into the ocean.
So keep an eye on the bay, and always consider why you go boating. If we all can pick up a little rubbish then we are all better off!

Matthew Hodson
John Crawford Marine
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 16 June 2009 12:27
 
 
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