Mnemiopsis Leidyi in the Caspian Sea: First International Meeting. Attachment 20



ATTACHMENT 20. Global Ballast Water Management Programme (GloBallast) Programme Overview & Prevention of Ballast Water Introductions the Caspian Sea *Steve Raaymakers* Technical Adviser International Maritime Organization sraayak@imo.org http://globallast.imo.org 1. The Issue Invasive marine species : 1 of 4 greatest threats to the world’s oceans Other 3 major threats are: Land-based sourced of marine pollution. Overexploitation of living marine resources Habitat alteration and destruction. Shipping: Moves >80% of world’s commodities Transfers approximately 12 billion tones of ballast water around the world each year May carry 4,500 different species of microbes, plants ad animals at any one time Is getting bigger, faster and more frequent Shipping related vectors of marine organisms include: Ballast water Hull fouling Fouling of anchors, anchor chains, propellers, propeller shaft, water intakes and other surfaces Bilge water Engine cooling water Plankton: Virtually all marine species have a planktonic stage in their life cycle Therefore, can potentially be taken on and transported in ballast water Impacts of invasive marine species: Ecological New invasion every 9 weeks Whole ecosystems changing Biodiversity being lost Economical Losses in US$ billions globally Human health People may fall ill and even die from ballast water introductions (pathogens and toxic organisms) 2. The Global Response 1992 UNCED (Agenda 21) called on international community to address the issue: IMO provides the international forum IMO has a Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) comprising IMO member ciountries MEPC develops international marine pollution conventions MEPC has a Ballast Water Working Group IMO Ballast Water Activities: Released voluntary ballast water management guidelines in 1993 Released updated/improved guidelines in 1997 (A.868(20)). Developing anew international convention on ballast water management Aim to hold Diplomatic Conference in 2003 to adopt new convention. Implementing GloBallast programme in developing countries. Technical assistance to developing countries to implement IMO voluntary guidelines and prepare for new convention. Six demonstration sites (China/Dalian, Brasil/Sepetiba, India/Mumbai, Iran/Kharg Island, South Africa/Saldanha, Ukraine/Odessa) Replication in each region 3. 1997 Voluntary Guidelines Ships should: Minimise uptake of organisms during ballasting Avoid areas and times of known outbreaks Avoid ballasting in shallow water Avoid ballasting at night Clean ballast tanks/remove sediments regularly Keep records and make reports according to standard IMO format Carry a Shipboard Ballast Water Management Plan in accordance with ICS/INTERTAKO Model Where relevant, useful, practical and safe, undertake ballast water exchange at sea. 4. Prevention of further introductions in the Caspian Closed system with defined entry points. Theoretically possible to establish a quarantine barrier on the Volga/Don system. Should aim to address a range of species, not just Mnemiopsis. Implement relevant parts of IMO 97 Guidelines fro all ships entering the Caspian with ballast: Ballast exchange at sea not relevant Ballast exchange with fresh water may be useful to exclude marine species Implement uptake controls at ballast water source in ports in Black Sea Avoid areas and times of known outbreaks Avoid ballasting in shallow water Avoid ballasting at night Implement biological surveys and ongoing monitoring at both source and discharge ports Link survey and monitoring to communication and alerting system. MUST involve maritime administrations and shipping industry.		Meeting Report Photos from the Meeting Attachment 1 Attachment 2 Attachment 3 Attachment 4 Attachment 5 Attachment 6 Attachment 7 Attachment 8 Attachment 9 Attachment 10 Attachment 11 Attachment 12 Attachment 13 Attachment 14 Attachment 15 Attachment 16 Attachment 17 Attachment 18 Attachment 19 Attachment 20 Attachment 21 Attachment 22 Attachment 23 Appendix 1 Appendix 2 Appendix 3