Australian maritime law update: 2010

• Main Authors: White, Michael, Molloy, Alex
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Jefferson Law Book 2011
• Subjects: Shipping industry; Ports; Boats; Jurisdiction; Tax reform; Maritime law; 3308 Law; 3320 Political Science and International Relations; Pacific; Southern Ocean
• Online Access: https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:269536/thumbnail_UQ269536_fulltext_t.jpg; https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:269536

The 2010 year for maritime jurisdiction and activities has been a fairly steady one for Australia. The illegal fisheries incursions by foreign fishing vessels into the Australian EEZ have been only running at a reasonable level with no major issues. The annual excursion of the Japanese whaling fleet from Japan to the Southern Ocean was met with vigorous opposition from the Sea Shepherd fleet of three vessels this year and there were some significant developments, including the Australian government action against Japan in the International Court of Justice, as to which see shortly. In relation to marine pollution offshore, the three shipping incidents (APL Sydney, Pacific Adventurer and Shen Neng 1) are all noted as is the significant offshore oil well spill (the Montara Oil Platform). The "boat people" arrivals are creating a major issue in the media and for the government, although most of them are genuine refugees and their numbers are only a small percentage of persons who are in Australia unlawfully. There have been some interesting cases decided by the judges of various courts and also the legislative changes show a real interest, at last, in an Australian government setting about reforming and updating the long-neglected Australian shipping industry.