Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00327:front:0:p63
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00327
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 178716–181850

wetland conservation and wise use, recognising that wetland ecosystems are important for both biodiversity conservation and the wellbeing of human communities.
To achieve its aims, the Ramsar Convention requires international cooperation, policy-making, capacity-building and technology transfer from its members. Under the Ramsar Convention, a wide variety of natural and human-made habitat types can be classified as wetlands, including features in the marine environment.
All wetlands listed under the Ramsar Convention are recognised as matters of national environmental significance under the EPBC Act. As such, approval is required for actions that will have, or are likely to have a significant impact on the ecological character of a Ramsar-listed wetland.
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)
MARPOL deals with preventing and minimising the discharge of ship-generated pollution into the sea. This is the main international convention for the prevention of ship-sourced pollution in the marine environment. The International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialised agency of the United Nations, administers this convention and related conventions. MARPOL is given effect in Australia by the Commonwealth Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983 and the Navigation Act 2012. It is the basis for Australian, state and territory government regulation of pollution from all ships, including fishing vessels, in Australian waters. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and state and territory governments are responsible for the application and enforcement of MARPOL in Australian waters.
International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling
Australia is a member of the International Whaling Commission, which supports the conservation of whales and the management of whaling under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling. Through its membership of the Commission, Australia promotes international collaboration and research that helps to protect whales in Commonwealth waters and internationally. This includes initiatives to support the growing whale watching industry, better understand where and why collisions occur between whales and ships, and coordinate actions to protect the most at-risk populations of whales and dolphins. All Commonwealth waters are assigned as the Australian Whale Sanctuary.
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
UNCLOS defines the rights and responsibilities of nations in their use of the world's oceans. It establishes guidelines for businesses, the environment and the management of marine natural resources. It provides foreign vessels with a right of innocent passage through territorial seas.
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
On 3 April 2009 the Australian Government announced its support for the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Although the Declaration is non-binding and does not affect existing Australian law, it does set important international principles for nations to aspire to and many of its provisions are grounded in the