March 2025 WATERLINE | 5 The health of our oceans has never been more critical. With rising concerns over climate change, overfishing, and pollution, industries, organisations, and individuals must cooperate to protect marine ecosystems. In 2019, the Marina Industries Association (MIA) introduced the pledge to Eliminate Single-Use Plastics (ESUP). Sixty-two singleuse plastic champions signed the pledge, of which fifty-five were marinas. The ESUP Pledge concludes in 2025. With so much changing in the sustainability and environment space, it is time to expand our commitment to broader sustainability initiatives. Australia has made significant strides in eliminating single-use plastics through national and state-level policies. Most recently, 'The National Plastics Plan 2021' set ambitious targets, aiming to phase out problematic plastics and improve recycling. The Australian Government has also supported industry-led initiatives that aim for strong targets within the reusable, recyclable, or compostable space. Coupled with the legislative changes and the growing public engagement with the overall plastics problem, there has been a significant shift in awareness around sustainability and the impacts various industries can have on our ecosystems. To continue the good work of the initial ESUP and to grow awareness of the marina industries environmental responsibilities the MIA is extremely proud to introduce the 2025 Marine Sustainability Pledge (MSP), a new initiative building on the past success around single use plastics while ensuring the industry remains a global leader in healthier oceans and marine ecosystems. The MSP establishes a framework for marinas, shipyards, and marine businesses to adopt sustainable practices that protect aquatic ecosystems. At its core, the MSP promotes eight key principles essential to environmental responsibility. Those principles include MINIMISING PLASTIC USE with the aim of reducing all plastic consumption and eliminate single-use plastics. Engagement in CARBON NEUTRALITY and RENEWABLE ENERGY sees businesses transitioning to renewable energy sources, using energy-efficient technologies, and adopting carbon offsetting initiatives. Naturally, WATER CONSERVATION, MANAGEMENT AND POLLUTION PREVENTION play a big part in the new pledge, especially given the industry's relationship with the water. Businesses are encouraged to invest in water harvesting and clean water technologies and to manage water treatment and filtration for facilities where feasible. MARINE HABITAT PROTECTION AND RESTORATION also form another core principle within the pledge. Having businesses commit to initiatives that protect and restore coastal and marine habitats can make an enormous difference. The industry has also been leading the way in recent years with conservation projects like coral reef restoration, seagrass planting and the development of living seawall initiatives (Waterline magazine, July 2023). The pledge also now incorporates AIR QUALITY AND AIR POLLUTION. As businesses have become more aware of the impact of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on the environment and staff breathing these harmful substances, it has become appropriate for industry to move towards better practices for controlling dust, fumes, and VOCs that can be released during vessel maintenance and construction activities. Marine businesses are now also asked to pledge to adopt CIRCULAR ECONOMY PRINCIPLES, focusing on resource efficiency and waste reduction. As we have been working towards minimising waste through better design, maintenance, and material recovery, it has become appropriate for the broader industry to encourage refurbishment, recycling, upcycling of materials, and partnering with manufacturers who prioritise sustainability. A new core principle of the MSP is fostering a culture of environmental responsibility by ENGAGING COMMUNITIES AND EDUCATING CUSTOMERS. Raising awareness about marine conservation is essential for long-term sustainability. As we already know, a well-informed group of stakeholders and customers are more likely to take proactive steps toward protecting marine ecosystems. By integrating sustainability education into operations, we can influence positive behavioural changes among employees, customers, and local communities. This can be achieved through workshops, signage, digital campaigns, and interactive programs that highlight best practices in marine conservation and what the facility or business is doing to reduce waste, using eco-friendly products, and respecting marine habitats. Rounding out the core principles of the 2025 MSP is ACCOUNTABILITY THROUGH TRANSPARENCY. A pledge is only as strong as the commitment behind it, and accountability is a crucial pillar of the MSP. To ensure signatories remain dedicated to their sustainability goals, participants will be required to report annually on their progress. These reports will highlight key achievements, new initiatives, and year-over-year improvements, allowing businesses to track their journey toward greater environmental responsibility. The reporting process will be streamlined through online submission, making it easy for signatories to share updates while ensuring that the initiative remains accessible and efficient. Those who have pledged and their annual reports will be available on the MIA website, which aims to keep businesses accountable of their responsibilities and makes them aware of the initiatives that others have taken towards leading the future of marine conservation and sustainability. In its first week the MSP has had significant success reaching those putting their best environmental and sustainability foot forward, special mention must go to our first MSP - Royal Phuket Marina in Thailand, closely followed by the Shorlink team and Steve Hosking CMM, Marina Manager Quays Marina. We expect in the weeks to come we will quickly surpass the ESUP numbers especially with easy-to-use online form on the MIA website to submit an application. While many aspects of sustainability can seem too large to tackle all at once, marine businesses are encouraged to take a flexible approach to tackling these principles. Copy and learn from others, use the resources from the MIA website to learn more about each of the core principles and use local government resources to leverage opportunities. MIA's Marina Supplier Directory can highlight those suppliers who can take your environmental and sustainability needs more seriously. All valuable information for those prioritising the environment and sustainability. More information and the online pledge application can be found here: marinas.net.au/accreditation/marine-sustainability-pledge We invite all MIA members or linked businesses to join us in this vital initiative. Every action counts, and with collective effort, we can safeguard the future of our seas. Chris Stone MIA Operations Manager manager@marinas.net.au THE 2025 MARINE SUSTAINABILITY PLEDGE: LEADING THE FUTURE OF MARINE CONSERVATION & SUSTAINABILITY FEATURE DECARBONISATION & SUSTAINABILITY
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