By Latoya Johnson
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By Latoya Johnson |
Ballast water is water from the sea which a ship takes in to create stability, as it unloads cargo. It is then later released at another port, transferring aquatic organisms, which can be harmful, as well as pathogens. Many IMO member countries have already adopted the convention. According to the Chief Technical Advisor in the IMO Marine Environment Division, Steve Raaymakers, species can travel for up to several months duration, both in ballast water and attached to a ship's hull. Many marine species will survive in the ballast water, while seaweeds and barnacles cling to the hull. "Those are foreign species that do not have their natural predators with them to keep them under control, so they can become what is called an invasive species and begin to spread." Studies show that invasive species are one of the major threats to global biodiversity. There are numerous examples of severe damage to high value protected areas in terrestrial, freshwater as well as marine environments. Once invasive species establish themselves, the impact is usually irreversible. Many marine protected areas are located next to major ports and shipping lanes. In some cases, a marine protected area may actually host a port or shipping within their boundaries. A prime example is the Great Barrier Reef, off Australia's coast. Raaymakers attended the 11th Intergovernmental Meeting on the Action Plan for the Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP), held last week in Montego Bay, Jamaica. He appealed to that country and the Wider Caribbean to rapidly ratify the new convention. The problem greatly affects the region and could cause severe ecological problems. "The problem is compounded by the fact that there are many diseases and toxic organisms, even things like cholera, which can be transferred in ballast water. The threat is so serious that not only illness can be caused, but potentially even death in human beings," he states. There is a special technical assistance programme in place, called "GloBallast," to assist developing countries in reducing the transfer of harmful organisms in ballast water. The programme helps countries to implement IMO Ballast Water guidelines and prepares them for implementing the Ballast Water Convention, when it comes into force. The Wider Caribbean region can benefit from this. IMO offers funding, technical advice and other support to build the institutional collaborative structures which will put the region in a strong position to deal with the problem, Raaymakers says. However, until all the countries ratify or accede to the Convention, taking appropriate measures will not be mandatory. "I strongly urge countries to take action and sign the convention, so that it can quickly be enforced. This is a problem for the Caribbean region right now, so we need to respond to it right now," he states. Implementation of the Convention will prove difficult, according to Raaymakers, as it involves many legal, biological and technical aspects, including changing the design, construction and operation of ships. But the new convention has already stimulated a lot of research and development of technological solutions. The goal is that every ship can be fitted with a ballast water treatment system. It was only in February of this year that IMO member countries adopted the convention, after fourteen years of complex and sensitive negotiations. The positive impact of the Convention is being tested at several demonstration sites around the world. The one closest to the Caribbean is located in Brazil. IMO would like to establish one or more in the Caribbean and Raaymakers hopes that the fact that IMO was present at the Montego Bay conference will prompt the region to accept this invitation. "We would like to establish demonstration sites in the Caribbean and put in place a regional plan to begin addressing the issue." |