The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) recently announced plans to crack down on the illegal disposal of this material into ports along the Queensland coastline, with the introduction of a compliance program.

The loading of cargoes such as coal and iron ore frequently results in dust and residues collecting on ships' decks and superstructure.

"Many vessels wash their decks soon after leaving port," says AMSA Chief Executive Clive Davidson.

"But international regulations prohibit the washing of this pollutant material overboard until ships are more than three nautical miles from the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef."

There are, however, exceptions where cargo residues can be discharged for safety reasons.

Dr Ian McPhail, former Chairman of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, says that while many dry bulk cargoes may be considered harmless to the marine environment, the main concern was that the build-up of these residues may have an effect on ocean sediments and seabed life.

"This particularly applies in port areas and the relatively shallow shipping lanes though the Reef," he says.

The compliance program was implemented on 1 January 1999 and will involve education material for shipmasters and their crews, aerial surveillance and shipboard inspections.

Dr McPhail says that surveillance of ship-sourced pollution in the Great Barrier Reef is being tightened after the recent announcement by the Queensland Government of measures to focus on prevention and better detection of pollution from ships.

AMSA surveyors will carry out shipboard inspections in Queensland ports and will be checking shipboard arrangements and record books for evidence of non-compliance.

The compliance program has been developed in consultation with the Queensland Department of Tourism and the shipping industry, which is fully supportive of the program. A number of Australian ship operators have already modified procedures on-board so as to fully comply with the international regulations.