A recent survey of the Murray River in South Australia mapped and photographed 17 abandoned or partially submerged boats.
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is keen to contact the owners of the boats, which were likely abandoned during years of drought.
"This the one of the first times we've been able to log by GPS, photograph where every single one is, so now be working closing with the Department of Transport, Crown Lands, local council to see what we can do to address this issue," EPA official Peter Scott told the ABC.
"Not only do I want to look at the vessels that have already sunk, we want to look at a way we can prevent this sort of thing happening in the future."
Mr Scott said the EPA had received numerous complaints about neglected boats.
