Marine Biosecurity Reference Case for Offshore Vessels

This reference case considers the possible and variable risks of introducing and translocating non-indigenous marine species (NIMS) associated with the movement of vessels and equipment deployed from those vessels into and/or within Australia for the purpose of providing services to the Australian offshore resources industry, and the measures vessel operators and titleholders should adopt to mitigate those risks to as low as reasonably practical (ALARP) and acceptable levels.

The document aims to assist in achieving a consistent approach to marine contractor biofouling management practices that are commensurate with the NIMS risk. The objective-based principles of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Environment) Regulations 2009 as well as other relevant Commonwealth, state and Northern Territory regulations continue to apply, and this document and the other reference material are only valid for certain circumstances.

Titleholders have flexibility to apply case-by-case environment plan content that differs from this reference material as it fits with the circumstances of their activity. The NOPSEMA Regulatory Advice Statement (RAS) that accompanies this reference case is intended to asssit with its application to offshore resource projects.

Titleholders should note that while the RAS limits the intended scope of the reference case, the reference case can still be applied outside the scope outlined in the RAS where additional control measures (such as specific requirements of a Biofouling Management Plan) that are applied to reduce NIMS risk to ALARP and acceptable levels are detailed in the EP. 

More information about the environment plan process is provided by NOPSEMA on their website.

For more information about the development of the Marine Biosecurity Management of Vessels Servicing the Offshore Resources Industry reference case, please contact Angela Gillham at email: angela.gillham@mial.com.au

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