The most pertinent sources of pollution in the Moray Firth are considered to be direct discharges of sewage and trade effluents and indirect discharges of trade effluent through public sewers; discharges to underground strata; the deposit of waste on land and at sea, and oil discharge from shore and offshore installations and vessels. The distribution of the main function and responsibilities for the administrative control of pollution and the concomitant statutory powers are explained under the relevant sources of pollution identified.