Explanatory note
This note is not part of the regulations, but is intended to indicate their general effect.
These regulations, which come into force on 28 August 2014, amend the Resource Management (Marine Pollution) Regulations 1998 (the regulations).
The purpose of the amendments is to fulfil New Zealand’s international obligations as a party to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL), by incorporating into the regulations recent changes made to Annex V of MARPOL, which came into force on 1 January 2013. Annex V of MARPOL restricts where, and what type of, garbage can be discharged from ships and offshore installations. Changes have been made to Annex V to extend the prohibitions on the discharge of garbage so that wastes that were traditionally discharged by ships (such as paper, rags, and glass) can no longer be discharged. The general effect of the changes is to introduce a general prohibition on the discharge of garbage from ships and offshore installations in the coastal marine area (from mean high-water springs to 12 nautical miles). These discharges are a source of marine pollution and pose risks to marine life and hazards to shipping. These amendment regulations also prescribe certain exceptions to the prohibition.
The regulations work in concert with other regulatory regimes, which apply to garbage discharges from ships and offshore installations that are beyond the coastal marine area and within the exclusive economic zone of New Zealand.
Issued under the authority of the Legislation Act 2012.
Date of notification in Gazette: 31 July 2014.
These regulations are administered by the Ministry for the Environment.