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The Global Ballast Water
Management Programme The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are working together on a global initiative aiming to reduce aquatic species transfers through ships’ ballast water. Ballast water has been blamed for the introduction of numerous invasive species, leading to serious ecological and economic problems around the world. The most notorious aquatic invaders have been species such as the European Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpa) and the comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi, each having impacts assessed in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Increasingly, however, much attention is being directed toward the biogeography and impacts associated with microscopic algae and their ship-facilitated introduction to new environments. Several studies have already demonstrated the potential for such species to be transferred via ballast water, in either resting or blooming stages, raising fears of the threats posed by toxic species to port and coastal communities. The Global Ballast Water Management Programme (GloBallast) has been operational since March 2000, with funding provided by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Efforts are being channeled through six pilot countries including Brazil, China, India, Iran, South Africa and Ukraine, each representing a developing region of the world. Activities being carried out at demonstration sites in each country are ultimately to be replicated at major ports throughout each of these regions. A global Programme Coordination Unit, based at IMO headquarters in London, has been instrumental in developing and implementing standardized approaches to port surveys, ballast water risk assessments and comprehensive national-level training. Efforts are also well underway toward streamlining legislation with the developing IMO convention on ballast water management, due for adoption in early 2004. In South Africa, GloBallast has been working through the demonstration site of Saldanha Bay where approximately 8 million tones of ballast water are received from international sources annually. The threat posed by ballast water is especially apparent in Saldanha given the proximity of the port to sensitive resources such as the West Coast National Park, mariculture facilities, commercial fisheries and growing tourism. A port survey conducted by GloBallast in April 2001 demonstrated the presence of eight alien species in the bay. While only two of these species are considered invasive (Mussel - Mytilus galloprovincialis and Crab - Carcinus maenas), four new introductions were discovered (Ascidian - Botrylloides leachi, Bryozoan - Bugula neritina, Bryozoan - Membranipora membranacea and Starfish - Pateriella regularis). Two phytoplankton species were noted in the samples as cryptogenic species (Spatulodinium cf. pseudonoctiluca and Protoperidinium sp.). One new fish species from the family Clinidae was also discovered and is currently being described. Although not detected during the 2001 survey, the brown tide-causing phytoplankton Aureococcus anophagefferens has bloomed inside Saldanha Bay with some regularity over recent years. It has not yet been determined if this species is native or if it was introduced through ballast water. The GloBallast Programme is currently investigating the origin of this species, and aiming to determine the extent of its impact, in order to help raise awareness of potential invasions in South Africa. Replicate surveys are continuing around South Africa through the National Ports Authority, with fieldwork already complete at the Ports of Richard’s Bay and Coega. GloBallast intends to extend port survey efforts into Southern and East Africa in the near future, as planning has already been initiated for a survey at the Port of Mombasa in Kenya. GloBallast is also working with countries of the West African sub-region to provide the necessary technical support for replication of similar activities. Obtaining the data from the surveys is, however, only the first step in the process of raising awareness and ultimately affecting change with respect to management of aquatic alien species. Through the development of semi-quantitative risk assessment systems and the drafting of new national policy on ballast water management, the GloBallast Programme has continued its momentum towards reducing the threat associated with foreign species introductions into South Africa. The Programme is currently developing port-specific regulations that will help lay the groundwork for the local implementation of the IMO convention, once it is adopted.
Adnan Awad Global website: http://globallast.imo.org/. Back to Featured Articles Index Page
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Recently,
the focus of the GloBallast Programme has started shifting towards the
rest of the African region. A regional task force has been assembled to
advise on the process and pathways to be taken towards helping replicate
these activities and ensure maximum collaboration with other institutions
and programmes. The GloBallast Programme is confident that the enthusiasm
and support already apparent throughout the region will transform into
on-the-ground success, and that the African region will ultimately work
together to help minimize ballast water introductions. The GloBallast
Programme, however, is aware that ballast water is merely one of a few
important vectors responsible for aquatic species introductions. The
general concept of biosecurity is thus fast becoming a priority in
countries around the world. GloBallast will continue to play an important
role in biosecurity matters, and will aim to encourage support for more
comprehensive aquatic alien species management.