Marine Protection Rules Part 200

Current version of Part 200

This rule applies to:

every offshore installation operating within:

• the internal waters of New Zealand; or
• New Zealand continental waters.

Download Marine Protection Rules Part 200[PDF: 180kB, 27 pages]

Part 200 provides rules for offshore installations to prevent pollution of the marine environment by substances used or produced in offshore mineral exploration and exploitation. This part is concerned with discharges of oil, other harmful substances and garbage. It requires operators to develop a discharge management plan — a form of environmental management plan — which must be approved for all offshore installations and promotes the application of “best practicable option” to prevent or minimise adverse effects on the environment arising from discharges.

The rules provide, where appropriate, for different requirements for installations in the territorial sea (which are subject to the Resource Management Act 1991) from the requirements for offshore installations within the exclusive economic zone or beyond the exclusive economic zone but above the continental shelf of New Zealand.

Part 200 gives effect to applicable provisions of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973/78 (MARPOL) and the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation 1990 (OPRC).