State of the Reef Report 2006: Shipping and oil spills

Abstract

Shipping is a major activity in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (the Marine Park) and is a significant component of Australia’s national economy. Shipping traffic in the Marine Park includes over 7000 voyages made by over 2000 ships every year. The operation of shipping within the Great Barrier Reef (the Reef) poses a variety of environmental risks. These risks can arise from both routine shipping operations, and from major shipping related incidents arising from groundings and/or accidental spills of oil, chemicals or cargo. There is relatively little information on the potential environmental impact of other cargo spillages by shipping plying the waters of the Reef. The management of shipping activities and ship-sourced pollution in the Reef is implemented through Australian Government and State Government legislation. This legislation also applies the management arrangements contained in international conventions and agreements relating to commercial shipping activities. Shipping in the Reef is managed at one of the highest standards applied to any body of water worldwide. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) works in partnership with other Australian Government and State Government agencies, representatives from the shipping industry, and with community groups to monitor and regulate shipping activities in the Marine Park. Management actions include improving the navigational safety of shipping in the Reef, reducing ship-sourced pollutants and ensuring an effective response to shipping incidents. While the management of shipping is focused on preventing major incidents, oil and chemical spill contingency response plans have been developed at local, state, national and international levels.