Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775:reg:18:p19
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 18 (pt 19/152)
Character Range: 91717–94762

(Environment Canada 1999, ORD & USEPA 1998, Colborn et al. 1993). More recently concerns have been raised over Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) contained in Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) which may enter aquatic environments in sewerage or reclaimed water (Ying et al. 2004). At certain concentrations chemicals such as estradiol, nonylphenol, bisphenol A, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and some pesticides can cause disruption to endocrine systems and can affect hormonal control of development in aquatic wildlife. Whilst poorly documented in Australia, one impact is the feminisation of fish by wastewater effluent from sewage treatment (Ying et al. 2004).
Marine pollution is becoming increasingly apparent in the Southern Hemisphere and impacts on Australian seabirds are likely to increase in the future. Internationally, only a few studies of any seabird species have been undertaken to identify whether marine contaminants (e.g. organochlorines and dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) affect seabird survival, in particular aspects of their breeding biology (Croxall 1998; Ludwig et al. 1998).

Wildlife Conservation Plan for Seabirds 33

 Threats

 Acute pollution
 Bulk fuel and oil spills also have the potential to affect high numbers of seabirds. Birds coming into contact with oil can become physically smothered, or suffer
 oiled plumage, which leads to reduced insulation and increased heat loss, loss of waterproofing, reduced ability to forage efficiently, usually resulting in emaciation and death. Birds may also ingest oil, leading to potential toxicity. Since seabirds spend much of their time on the sea surface, they are particularly vulnerable to the hazards of oil or fuel spills and are difficult to rehabilitate. Shipping discharge of oil and other pollutants is regulated by the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (1973) and its Protocol (1978) - MARPOL 73/78. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) administers MARPOL in Australian waters under the Commonwealth Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983.
Response to marine oil spills is managed by AMSA, in conjunction with the states and the Northern Territory, through the Intergovernmental Agreement on the National Plan to Combat Pollution of the Sea by Oil and Other Noxious and Hazardous Substances. The Plan sets out the role and responsibilities for government and industry in the event of an oil spill. The Plan identifies the potential effects on wildlife and the operations and procedures that should be put into place in the event of an oil spill. However, if the incident occurs in remote areas, there may be little that can be done when large numbers of birds are affected.
For offshore petroleum activities in Commonwealth waters, the titleholder is responsible for managing oil spill response (being accountable under the OPGGS Act and Environment Regulations). For oil pollution response in State and Territory