Maritime environmental management priorities and challenges for the Royal Australian Navy

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has substantial commitments to national marine environmental management issues in implementation of national policies and as a user of marine and coastal areas. This overview addresses the strategic context in terms of issues and key challenges being addressed by the RAN. The day to day implementation of these matters is addressed through a substantial operational unit at Fleet Headquarters which manages operational interactions with ships and the Department of Defence that addresses environment management of Defence estate shore side facilities and inter-departmental matters such as referrals for activities as needed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.