The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has cited nine cruise ships for exceeding effluent limits in Alaskan waters.

Six Princess Cruises ships, and one ship each from NCL, Holland America Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, were issued notices of violation for 27 effluent limit breaches between May and July, said Denise Koch, director of cruise ship water quality programs for the DEC.

Eleven of the 27 breaches were for ammonia discharges, strictly limited under Alaskan law.

The violation notices will be sent to the state’s attorney general’s office, who will decide whether or not penalties will be enforced, Koch said.