National policy on the sea disposal of waste

Maritime New Zealand’s National Policy on the Sea Disposal of Waste provides marine resource users with more certainty about how the sea disposal of waste is managed.

National policy on the sea disposal of waste [PDF: 180Kb, 9 pages]

The Policy, released in April 2001, was developed in response to concerns about the disposal of dredge material and conflicts between competing marine resource users.

It was recognised that the disposal of waste needed to be managed in a way that did not negatively affect the sustainable management of the natural and physical resources of the marine environment.

The policy provides a clear direction on:

• the disposal options that can be considered for different types of waste
• how the various disposal options should be managed and monitored in the long term
• the options to avoid creating waste that would then usually be dumped
• the responsibility of those who generate waste to consider the various waste disposal alternatives.

The National Policy on the Sea Disposal of Waste must be taken into account when considering any application for a dumping permit under the Maritime Transport Act.

Applying for a dumping permit
Learn more about marine dumping