Antarctic Treaties Act, 1996 (Act No. 60 of 1996)

Regulations

Antarctic Treaties Regulations, 2021

Chapter 5 - Marine Pollution from Ships

23. Disposal of garbage

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(1) The disposal of all garbage into the sea is prohibited including the following:
(a) all plastics including synthetic ropes, fishing nets and bags; and
(b) paper products, rags, glass, metal, bottles, crockery, incineration ash, dunnage, lining and packing material.

 

(2) Food waste may only be disposed of into the sea if it has been passed through a comminuter or grinder and is capable of passing through a screen with openings of a maximum of 25 millimetres. Such disposal into the sea may only occur at least 12 nautical miles from land or any ice shelf, unless authorised under Annex 5 of MARPOL 73/78.

 

(3) If any substance or material covered by this regulation is mixed with any other substance or material for discharge or disposal, the more stringent or restrictive disposal or discharge requirements must apply.

 

(4) The provisions of sub-regulation (1) do not apply to—
(a) The escape of garbage as a result of damage to a vessel or its equipment, provided all reasonable measures were taken before and after such damage to prevent or minimise such escape; or
(b) the accidental loss of synthetic fishing nets, provided all reasonable measures were taken to prevent such loss.

 

(5) All vessels shall keep a garbage record book which contains the following information:
(a) Type of substance being disposed of;
(b) date of disposal;
(c) amount or volume being disposed of; and
(d) GPS location of disposal.