Clean Oceans

Australia promotes our oceans as clean and green overseas and compared to many countries this is correct. Large stretches of Australia's coastline are unpolluted. However, the coastal waters in areas of high population are increasingly threatened by pollution and in some places they are degraded.

Pollution of our coastal environment is the result of urban, agricultural and industrial development, and tourist and recreational facilities. Most of the pollution found in our oceans makes its way there after rain cleans our streets and washes it through drains, rivers and creeks that flow to the coast.

Litter, sewage and oil are visible signs of pollution, but pollution also includes difficult to detect substances like pesticides, heavy metals and warm water.

Depending on the type of pollution it affects our marine environment in different ways. For example seagrass beds in estuaries are often the first affected by pollution because they grow in estuaries and embayments that are often associated with towns and cites. High nutrients and sediments from land run-off results in the dieback of seagrasses and this has flow on affects to other marine species. For some species habitats and homes are lost, for others vital food sources disappear. If the fish disappear then fishing is also impacted upon.

Fishing needs clean marine environments for fish and other marine species to live in.

Every person can help to keep our marine environment healthy. Here is what you can do.

Always place waste in the most appropriate place. It is best to reuse and recycle, never litter.

Wash cars and other things on the grass, never on the road or hard paths where it will wash into the drainage system.

Always dispose of chemicals the correct way, never pour them into gutters or drains.