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Marine pollution

Photo of a can washed ashore.

Marine pollution threatens the health of our coasts and ocean and it comes in many different forms. Marine pollution can mean plastic litter, other litter such as glass bottles and cans, oil and chemical spills or polluted stormwater drains and rivers flowing into the sea.

The effect these have on the marine environment depends on the type of pollution, the size of the pollution and where the pollution occurs. Some marine environments and types of marine life are more sensitive than others to pollution. The pollution may damage individual sea creatures or plants, or it may damage whole communities of different living things.

Preventing marine pollution is vital for the wellbeing of the sea, the marine life it supports and us! Cleaner oceans mean we can continue to enjoy our beaches for swimming, fishing and recreation. There are a lot of things we can each do to make a difference.

Find out what you can do to reduce marine pollution.

Last updated: 17 September 2007