The NPI records and makes publicly available the emissions from industrial facilities and diffuse sources of 93 different chemical substances to air, land and water.
The state and territory environment agencies review all NPI reports for accuracy and forward the data to the Australian Government.
In 2007, Environment Ministers voted against the lifting of the reporting exemption for aquaculture, despite the review receiving 12 submissions supporting the recommendation, and 5 opposing it.
In this region, southern bluefin tuna and yellowtail kingfish sea-cage aquaculture are the two largest industrial contributors of nitrogenous nutrient pollution to the marine environment.
[3] Iconic marine species of the region include the giant Australian cuttlefish and the little penguin, both of which are in decline.