Review of current practices to reduce the risk of introducing non-indigenous species into the Pacific Region via ballast water / C.D. Levings.: Fs70-1/1999-211E-PDF

This paper discusses the current status of the short term methods for ballast water management being used in Pacific Region to minimize the risk of introducing NIS (non-indigenous species). The short term solution adopted by most jurisdictions around the world is mid-ocean exchange (MOE). In the long term, ballast water treatment to "sterilize" the water, either when ballast is taken aboard or discharged, may be the preferred method. In 1997, the Vancouver Port Authority (VPA) developed a progressive policy, the mandatory ballast program, to reduce the risk of NIS arrival into waters under their jurisdiction. This paper provides a description of the program, which includes an interview procedure that enables VPA to obtain specific data on ballast procedures during a ship's voyage to Vancouver. This policy is incorporated in the proposed Canadian national guidelines for ballast water management. Briefly, if a ship has not performed mid ocean ballast water exchange, the ship can be sent back out to sea to deballast, subject to safety concerns, and a number of exemptions.

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