Oil and Chemical Spills

Oil and chemical spills can affect the health of fish as well as their habitat. All spills or suspected spills should be reported.


Who to call

All oil and chemical spills, or suspected spills, should be reported to:

  • the Adelaide Outer Harbour Location Signal Station on 08 8248 3505 (all hours)
  • Environment Protection Agency (EPA) on 08 8204 2004 (all hours)
  • the police on 131 444.


If you see, or suspect there has been, illegal dumping of waste report it to:

  • Environment Protection Agency (EPA) on 08 8204 2004 (all hours).


What they need to know


  • Location of the spill or dumping (preferably latitude and longitude)
  • Identity of the vessel and/or the facility involved
  • Your name and contact details
  • The size of the spill or dump
  • When it occurred (if known)
  • The current weather conditions in the area
  • Any expected changes to the weather conditions
  • Tide details
  • Any threats to human health or property   
  • Any threats to wildlife  
  • Accessibility to the boat or vehicle involved with the spill
  • Location of the nearest air strip
  • Communication situation (for example, is the area covered by mobile phone?)
  • Name and contact details of person who first reported the spill or dumping
  • Any other details which may be relevant