Indicator: CO-27 Number, frequency, extent and volume of oil spills from all sources
Data
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) keeps a summary record of serious spills. Additionally, all minor spill sightings are recorded in AMSA annual reports, although detailed information on these has only been kept for the last two years. In both cases, the vast majority of spills are from shipping.
| Date | Vessel | Location | Oil amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03/03/1970 | Oceanic Grandeur | Torres Strait | 1,100 tonnes |
| 03/12/1987 | Nella Dan | Macquarie Island | 125 tonnes |
| 20/05/1988 | Korean Star | Cape Cuvier WA | 600 tonnes |
| 28/07/1988 | Al Qurain | Portland VIC | 184 tonnes |
| 21/05/1990 | Arthur Phillip | Cape Otway VIC | unknown |
| 14/02/1991 | Sanko Harvest | Esperance WA | 700 tonnes |
| 21/07/1991 | Kirki | WA | 17,280 tonnes |
| 30/08/1992 | Era | Port Bonython SA | 300 tonnes |
| 10/07/1995 | Iron Baron | Hebe Reef TAS | 325 tonnes |
| 28/06/1999 | Mobil Refinery | Port Stanvac SA | 230 tonnes |
| 03/08/1999 | Laura D'Amato | Sydney NSW | 250 tonnes |
Source: Australian Maritime Safety Authority 2006, Major Oil Spills in Australia, viewed 8 Jun 2006, http://www.amsa.gov.au/Marine_Environment_Protection
/Major_Oil_Spills_in_Australia/index.asp
| Year | Total Number of oil discharge sightings | Percentage from ships | Percentage from shore | Percentage from exploration |
Percentage from other/unknown sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995-96 | 357 | ||||
| 1996-97 | 348 | ||||
| 1997-98 | 254 | ||||
| 1998-99 | 351 | ||||
| 1999-2000 | 353 | ||||
| 2000-2001 | 335 | ||||
| 2001-2002 | 345 | ||||
| 2002-2003 | 300 | 39 | 13 | 2 | 45 |
| 2003-2004 | 322 | 40 | 17 | 1 | 42 |
Source: Australian Maritime Safety Authority 2006, Pollution Incidents, viewed 8 Jun 2006, http://www.amsa.gov.au/Marine_Environment_Protection/National_Plan
/Annual_Reports/AR_2003-2004/Pollution_incidents.asp
As part of the Oil Spill Strategy, AMSA will develop an Oil Spill Response Atlas using a computer-based digital mapping system that allows operators to overlay various types of data to identify biological, cultural, geomorphological and socio-economic resources and how a marine pollution incident may impact these resources. The biological and geomorphological mapping, in particular, may provide clearer insights into the varying pressure that may be placed on different ecosystems by oil spills.
What the data mean
With both the summary record of serious spills and the reports of minor spill sightings, the vast majority of spills are from shipping.
The number of sightings have not varied enormously between 1995 and 2004, although, with some small hiccups, there seems to have been a very slight downward trend.
Data Limitations
The data on major spills and other sightings is limited to reported sightings, so it should be read as an underestimate. It also gives no indication as to the quantity spilled or to the ecological sensitivity of the location of the spill.
Issues for which this is an indicator and why
Coasts and Oceans — Direct pressure of human activities on coasts and oceans - Direct pressure of shipping
Oil spills from collisions, shipwrecks, leaks and other shipping accidents have direct and lethal impacts on marine biodiversity, suffocating and poisoning fish and invertebrates and rendering seabirds flightless (causing them to drown, starve or be taken by predators). Number, frequency, extent and volume of spills provides an indication of the intensity of this pressure.
Other indicators for this issue:
- CO-32 Number of injuries to marine animals from marine debris
- CO-50 Number of collisions with marine animals
- CO-51 Quantity of sewerage and ballast water dumped by shipping
- CO-52 Evidence or examples of impacts of channel dredging for shipping on marine life
- CO-53 Evidence or examples of noise or visual disturbance of marine species by human activities
- CO-65 Correlation between various human activities and introduction of coastal and marine species
- CO-67 Progress of the Australian shipping fleet towards meeting the targets of the International Convention on the control of harmful anti-fouling systems on ships
- LD-40 Current research into pressures and contributions of naturalised introduced species
Coasts and Oceans — Direct pressure of human activities on coasts and oceans - Direct pressures of harvesting non-living materials
Oil spills from leaks and spills involved in exploration and extraction activities have direct and lethal impacts on marine biodiversity, suffocating and poisoning fish and invertebrates and rendering seabirds flightless (causing them to drown, starve or be taken by predators). Number, frequency, extent and volume of spills provides an indication of the intensity of this pressure.
Other indicators for this issue:
- CO-26 Extent of potential habitat disturbance by well rigs sites, pipelines etc
- CO-32 Number of injuries to marine animals from marine debris
- CO-48 Area disturbed/potentially disturbed by seismic surveys
- CO-53 Evidence or examples of noise or visual disturbance of marine species by human activities
- CO-64 Quantity of various substances discharged by offshore extraction activities
- CO-65 Correlation between various human activities and introduction of coastal and marine species
- LD-40 Current research into pressures and contributions of naturalised introduced species
- BD-09 The change in extent of selected nationally significant invasive species
Coasts and Oceans — Direct pressure of human activities on coasts and oceans - Direct pressure of coastal activities (other than shipping and fishing)
Oil spills from coastal activities have direct and lethal impacts on marine biodiversity, suffocating and poisoning fish and invertebrates and rendering seabirds flightless (causing them to drown, starve or be taken by predators). Number, frequency, extent and volume of spills provides an indication of the intensity of this pressure.
Other indicators for this issue:
- CO-28 Quantity of discharges of different substances from humans activities to coastal and marine waters
- CO-29 Change in area of coastal potential acid sulphate soils under development for human use
- CO-30 Length and area of coastal and estuarine foreshore altered for human purposes
- CO-32 Number of injuries to marine animals from marine debris
- CO-44 Marine chlorophyll concentration
- CO-46 Comparative water quality of coastal lakes and lagoons (water quality gradient from north to south)
- CO-53 Evidence or examples of noise or visual disturbance of marine species by human activities
- CO-60 Sea salinity
- CO-65 Correlation between various human activities and introduction of coastal and marine species
- IW-12 Catchment nitrogen and phosphorus load
- HS-05 Total population and distribution
- IW-19 Exceedance of total nitrogen and phosphorus water quality triggers
- LD-40 Current research into pressures and contributions of naturalised introduced species
- BD-09 The change in extent of selected nationally significant invasive species
- BD-10 Examples of native species whose populations have declined where various invasive species have established resident populations
Biodiversity — Pressures on biodiversity - Pressures on marine biodiversity: pressures of shipping
Oil spills from all sources place pressure on marine biodiversity. Number, frequency, extent and volume of spills provides an indication of the intensity of this pressure.
Other indicators for this issue:
- CO-32 Number of injuries to marine animals from marine debris
- CO-50 Number of collisions with marine animals
- CO-51 Quantity of sewerage and ballast water dumped by shipping
- CO-52 Evidence or examples of impacts of channel dredging for shipping on marine life
- CO-53 Evidence or examples of noise or visual disturbance of marine species by human activities
- CO-65 Correlation between various human activities and introduction of coastal and marine species
- CO-67 Progress of the Australian shipping fleet towards meeting the targets of the International Convention on the control of harmful anti-fouling systems on ships
- LD-40 Current research into pressures and contributions of naturalised introduced species
Biodiversity — Pressures on biodiversity - Pressures on marine biodiversity: pressures of energy and mineral exploration and extraction
Exploration and extraction activities are a potential source of oil spills that may impact on marine biodiversity.
Other indicators for this issue:
- CO-26 Extent of potential habitat disturbance by well rigs sites, pipelines etc
- CO-28 Quantity of discharges of different substances from humans activities to coastal and marine waters
- CO-32 Number of injuries to marine animals from marine debris
- CO-48 Area disturbed/potentially disturbed by seismic surveys
- CO-53 Evidence or examples of noise or visual disturbance of marine species by human activities
- CO-64 Quantity of various substances discharged by offshore extraction activities
- CO-65 Correlation between various human activities and introduction of coastal and marine species
Biodiversity — Pressures on biodiversity - Pressures on marine biodiversity: Pressures on coasts and oceans arising from multiple causes
A range of coastal and marine activities can give rise to marine debris which can place pressure on marine biodiversity. Number of injuries reported that are attributable to this cause are one indicator of the intensity of this pressure.
Other indicators for this issue:
- CO-32 Number of injuries to marine animals from marine debris
- CO-44 Marine chlorophyll concentration
- CO-53 Evidence or examples of noise or visual disturbance of marine species by human activities
- CO-65 Correlation between various human activities and introduction of coastal and marine species
Biodiversity — Pressures on biodiversity - Pressures on marine biodiversity: pressures of coastal activities
A range of coastal activities result in oil spills and other pollution which has the potential to impact on coastal and marine vegetation.
Other indicators for this issue:
- CO-28 Quantity of discharges of different substances from humans activities to coastal and marine waters
- CO-29 Change in area of coastal potential acid sulphate soils under development for human use
- CO-30 Length and area of coastal and estuarine foreshore altered for human purposes
- CO-32 Number of injuries to marine animals from marine debris
- CO-44 Marine chlorophyll concentration
- CO-46 Comparative water quality of coastal lakes and lagoons (water quality gradient from north to south)
- CO-53 Evidence or examples of noise or visual disturbance of marine species by human activities
- CO-60 Sea salinity
- CO-65 Correlation between various human activities and introduction of coastal and marine species
- IW-12 Catchment nitrogen and phosphorus load
- IW-19 Exceedance of total nitrogen and phosphorus water quality triggers
- HS-05 Total population and distribution
Human Settlements — Pressures created by human settlements on the environment - Waste
Human settlements involve highly concentrated usage of materials and energy which inevitably result in spills of pollutants into coastal waters with lethal effects on marine life.
Other indicators for this issue:
- HS-53 Total solid waste produced and disposed
- HS-65 Amounts of hazardous waste
- HS-66 Gaseous emissions from waste
- LD-21 Area of land used for landfill
- LD-22 Rate of violations of residue levels in harvested products
- LD-37 Emissions from activities that derive contributions from the land
- IW-12 Catchment nitrogen and phosphorus load
- IW-14 Volume of sewage discharge to surface waters by treatment category (primary, secondary, tertiary)
- IW-15 Volume of sewage discharged to land
- CO-23 Aquaculture: volume of discharged sediments and nutrients
- CO-28 Quantity of discharges of different substances from humans activities to coastal and marine waters
- CO-51 Quantity of sewerage and ballast water dumped by shipping
Further Information
- Australia's National Plan to Combat Pollution of the Sea by Oil and other Noxious and Hazardous Substances
- Australia's National Plan to Combat Pollution of the Sea by Oil and other Noxious and Hazardous Substances (Word - 213 KB)
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