Aquatic Invasive Species

Environmental Impact

The introduction of exotic species into new ecosystems can pose serious dangers to indigenous habitats and organisms. The St. Lawrence - Great Lakes system has seen the introduction of more than 160 such species in its waters over the last two centuries, of which 85 were in the St. Lawrence. It is estimated that 65 percent of the species introduced into the Great Lakes since the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959 were transported by means of ballast water on board ships arriving from overseas.

Ballast water operations are indispensable to ensuring the stability of ships and permitting them to navigate safely. One of the maritime industry’s major challenges is to find solutions which allow ballast water to bemanaged without any risk to the ship or its crew, while reducing the risk of introducing exotic species to the lowest level possible. “Invasive” species are those that reproduce uncontrollably if not faced with natural predators, thus destroying indigenous habitats and organisms. The ecological and economic costs arising from the introduction of such species can be considerable.

Action Plan Arising from the Environmental Program

In recent years, the maritime industry has been active in its efforts to reduce the risks of introducing new invasive species. Specific actions in this respect have included industry participation in the development of U.S. and Canadian new ballast water regulations, and efforts to support and take part in a variety of awareness and monitoring initiatives related to the ballast water issue.

Some companies have voluntarily adopted more stringent ballast water exchange measures and taken the initiative in testing experimental treatment systems. The action plan will continue along this path by encouraging all participants to implement better practices and to initiate technological projects that will enable themto ultimately conformwith and/or exceed the future requirements of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ballast Water and Sediments.

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