What is Disposal at Sea?
Under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) disposal at sea means the deliberate disposal of approved substances at sea from ships, aircraft, platforms or other structures. Each year in Canada, two to three million tonnes of material are disposed of at sea. About 90 percent of that quantity is dredged sediment from river or marine sources or excavated native till. Most of the dredged material is moved each year to keep shipping channels and harbours clear for navigation. Discharges from land or from normal ship operations (such as bilge water) are not considered disposal at sea, but are subject to other controls.
