Yet often we see what were once beautiful lake shores, river banks and beaches polluted by garbage that has been washed up. Australia has a National Plan to Combat Pollution of the Sea by Oil and Other Noxious and Hazardous Substances . While oil spillage is still a major form of marine pollution, the majority of marine pollution is land based. Chemicals, sewage and garbage have become an increasing threat. Substances including petrol, grease, oil, pesticides and herbicides, and solvents such as paint strippers, if poured down sinks and toilets are difficult to remove in the sewage treatment process and can cause pollution problems in our local waterways.
Litter is a major problem.
It enters our waterways from footpaths and gutters through stormwater drains but much of the garbage comes from ships, yachts, trawlers and other marine craft. Nowadays, many of the materials that make up items thrown away as garbage are not biodegradable. Garbage can create an impossible place for marine creatures to live. It can be fatal. Fish, water birds and other marine life can be killed by mistakenly eating plastic materials floating in the water.