4.2A – Operation and Maintenance – Solid Waste (Including Fish Waste) Control

Management Measure

Promote sound fish waste management through a combination of fish-cleaning restrictions, public education, and proper disposal of fish waste.

Properly dispose of solid wastes produced by the operation, cleaning, maintenance, and repair of boats and operation of marinas–and encourage recycling of recyclable materials to the fullest extent possible–to limit entry of solid wastes to surface waters.

Management Practices

For Marina Owners and Operators

• Fish Waste Control
  • Provide a fish cleaning station that has a waste grinder, running water, and a large surface to work on. Ensure fish cleaning stations do not discharge to the marina waters.
  • Provide covered trash receptacles for proper disposal of fish waste and hooks and inform boaters of their locations (see Management Measure 4.2B).
  • Educate boaters about their boater management practices. If you see any boater operating their vessel in conflict with the management practices, please make sure they are aware of the proper way to manage their vessel and consider including language in their boat slip contract to make sure they follow proper management practices.
• Solid Waste Control
  • Provide easily accessible recycling facilities for glass, newspapers, aluminum, plastics, batteries, and numerous, well-marked trash receptacles. Recycling can reduce the amount of dumpster trash, which lowers waste hauling fees. Train staff to inform patrons of trash disposal practices and to pick up any trash they see lying about. Provide boaters with trash bags imprinted with the marina’s logo to demonstrate a commitment to pollution prevention. Encourage staff and boaters to follow these principles for cleaning activities:
    • Use less-toxic or less-caustic materials and use less of them.
    • Purchase frequently used materials in bulk to minimize waste.
    • Buy products that come in reusable containers and have minimal packaging.
    • Purchase only what is needed for immediate use to avoid throwing away what is left over.
    • Share leftover products with others who need them.
    • Avoid the use or sale of anything described as being "disposable" and encourage the use of long-life products. Encourage use of non-styrofoam, non-toxic, biodegradable or reusable cups, plates, silverware, etc. to minimize amount of debris that ends up in waterways.
    • Provide pet waste bags and disposal areas.
    • Inform marina patrons of the International Treaty to Prevent Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) which was created to address the plastic pollution problem. It prohibits the dumping of any plastic into the water anywhere, and restricts the dumping of other forms of garbage within specified distances from shore. Violators of any of the regulations issued to implement Annex V are liable for a civil penalty of up to $25,000 for each violation, and criminal penalties of up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 5 years.

For Boaters

• Fish Waste Control
  • Use a fish cleaning station or clean fish as they are caught offshore and toss fish waste only in open unrestricted water or at sea.
  • Do not dump fish or bait in the marina basin where circulation and flushing are more limited and the fish waste could create a water quality and odor problem.
  • Recycle fish parts by composting them with peat moss, or burying them in a garden to be used as fertilizer. Fish parts can also be frozen and re-used as bait or chum on another next fishing trip. When no other option exists, bag the fish parts and place the bag in the trash.
  • Avoid releasing bait either dead or alive into the water. This can introduce foreign species to fresh water lakes. You might not be releasing just the bait, but something that it is infected with.
• Solid Waste Control
  • Conduct hull work indoors or under cover where possible, and discourage dockside sanding and painting over the water. At the very least, stretch a tarp between the side of the boat and the dock to catch any falling debris. Use drop cloths or filter cloths beneath the hull to collect sanding dust and paint drops. Empty the cloths into a trash container frequently, and do not leave them dirty overnight. Use only non-abrasive underwater hull cleaning techniques to prevent excessive paint discharge. Dry storage reduces the need for antifouling paints and saves money.
  • Keep all trash on board. Never throw cigarette butts, fishing line, or any other garbage into the ocean. Take advantage of shoreside facilities to recycle plastic, glass, metal, and paper. Reduce the potential for litter by removing unnecessary packages and wrappings, and bringing reusable containers to the boat. Have several litter bags onboard and discard full ones at the marina dumpster or at home. When trash accidentally falls overboard, go back and get it.
  • Abide by the International Treaty to Prevent Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) which was created to address the plastic pollution problem. It prohibits the dumping of any plastic into the water anywhere, and restricts the dumping of other forms of garbage within specified distances from shore. Violators of any of the regulations issued to implement Annex V are liable for a civil penalty of up to $25,000 for each violation, and criminal penalties of up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 5 years.

Programs

• California Coastal Commission holds the California Coastal Cleanup Day to help reduce marine debris along the coast, as well as educate the public on the dangers of dumping marine debris and the potential for environmental damage. The Web site provides information on the annual event, as well as on marine debris and its effects.

Information Resources

• DBW, Facts about Marine Pollution pamphlet was developed as an informational guide to the pollution problems and the marine environmental issues facing the California boater. It presents solutions we can all take part in as well as information on pertinent state and federal laws.
• California Coastal Commission, Boating Clean and Green Campaign, The Boat Maintenance Checklist assists those conducting boat maintenance and repair in implementing management practices for minimizing the generation of hazardous wastes, discharges of pollutants to inland and coastal waters, and air pollution discharges. The checklist also addresses management practices that include methods for the proper disposal or recycling of hazardous and solid wastes.
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Solid Waste Management this fact sheet, part of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Clean Boatyard Manual, describes ways to prevent pollution from solid waste.
• Maryland Clean Marina Initiative, Waste Containment and Disposal this fact sheet describes waste management practices for trash, fish waste, and liquid waste.
• U.S. Coast Guard, Marine Debris: Garbage Dumping Restrictions in U.S. Waters explains federal regulations on dumping in territorial waters.
• University of California Cooperative Extension, Marina Pollution Prevention Manual describes important components of pollution prevention at recreational boating facilities. It covers pollution sources, hazardous waste management, spill response, marina staff procedures and training, San Diego County agency and service contacts, and publications for distribution among marina staff, contractors, and boaters.

References

USEPA. 2001. National Management Measures Guidance to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution from Marinas and Recreational Boating. EPA 841-B-01-005. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC.