Abstract
Boating and shipping operations, their associated activities and supporting infrastructure present a potential for environmental impacts. Such impacts include physical changes to bottom substrate and habitats from sources such as anchoring and mooring and vessel groundings, alterations to the physico-chemical properties of the water column and aquatic biota through the application of antifouling paints, operational and accidental discharges (ballast and bilge water, hydrocarbons, garbage and sewage), fauna collisions, and various other disturbances. Various measures exist to sustainably manage these impacts. In addition to a review of associated boating- and shipping-related environmental impacts, this paper provides an outline of the government- and industry-related measures relevant to achieving positive outcomes in an Australian context. Historically, direct regulations have been used to cover various environmental impacts associated with commercial, industrial, and recreational boating and shipping operations (e.g., MARPOL). The effectiveness of this approach is the degree to which compliance can be effectively monitored and enforced. To be effective, environmental managers require a comprehensive understanding of the full range of instruments available, and the respective roles they play in helping achieve positive environmental outcomes, including the pros and cons of the various regulatory alternatives.
Highlights
Aquatic biomes covering approximately 75% of the earth’s surface contain critically important natural resources sustaining life and countless life cycles, while providing varying environmental, economic, social, and cultural services [1,2]
As noted by Byrnes et al [16], as Australia is a large maritime continent covering approximately the same area as the United States of America (USA), the Australian-based management information presented will be generally applicable in similar settings worldwide and be generalizable, offering a microcosm for similar industries operating in many countries globally that can be used by resource managers to better target pollution regulations and programs for improved sustainability of aquatic biomes
Smaller recreational and leisure boats are used in predominantly shallow nearshore areas where water exchange is limited and many Js.pMeacr.ieSsci.reEpngr.o2d02u0c, e8, 9t0h8us posing presumably greater environmental impacts in comparison to l9arogf 4e9r vessels used in open oceanic water bodies with greater dilutive potential
Summary
Aquatic biomes covering approximately 75% of the earth’s surface contain critically important natural resources sustaining life and countless life cycles, while providing varying environmental, economic, social, and cultural services [1,2]. The use of water bodies for transporting commodities internationally using shipping fleets is significantly important for global commerce and trade The provision of such services offered by aquatic biomes are often negatively impacted by continuing anthropogenic pressures [6,7]. Include fishing boats which vary widely in style partly to match local conditions, pleasure craft used for recreational boating such as sailboats, ski boats, and pontoon boats, houseboats used for long-term residence or vacationing purposes, lighters and tugs used to transport cargo to and from other vessels and maneuvering assistance, respectively Such boats are propelled either by manpower (e.g., oars or paddles), wind (e.g., sails), or engines (including fossil fuel and electric) and typically operate on inland waterways such as rivers and lakes, or in coastal waters. As noted by Byrnes et al [16], as Australia is a large maritime continent covering approximately the same area as the United States of America (USA), the Australian-based management information presented will be generally applicable in similar settings worldwide and be generalizable, offering a microcosm for similar industries operating in many countries globally that can be used by resource managers to better target pollution regulations and programs for improved sustainability of aquatic biomes
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