Ann Arbor, Mich. – A binational coalition of public and private sector interests has crafted a strategy to advance aquatic nuisance species prevention and control efforts through ballast water management. The comprehensive policy statement features 41 recommendations that will guide the development of criteria for ballast water management practices and treatment technologies; ensure consistency among laws and programs in Great Lakes-St. Lawrence basin jurisdictions; and promote the development of technology options and identification of research needs. The statement is the culmination of a nine month effort by the Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species, a federally chartered body staffed by the Great Lakes Commission.

Ballast water in commercial vessels has been identified as a major pathway for the introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence system. Also of concern are vessels in “no ballast on board,” or NOBOB, status. The residual water and sediment in these vessels is also a vector for the introduction and spread of such species.

After years of regional efforts in prevention and control, the Panel recognized that open ocean ballast water exchange for commercial vessels has been an imperfect solution to problems of species introduction. A committee was subsequently convened to identify additional measures, drawing representatives from federal, state, provincial and tribal governments, the maritime industry, recreational and commercial user groups, and environmental organizations.

Among many others, the policy statement calls for:

• The development of ballast water criteria and associated guidelines / regulations;
• Programs that are scientifically sound and effective, yet avoid placing the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence maritime industry at a competitive disadvantage with others;
• New legal regimes that feature incrementally achievable criteria with the goal of “zero discharge” of aquatic nuisance species; and
• full-scale application of promising ballast water management / treatment technologies on commercial vessels.

“This initiative was unprecedented in scope,” explains Ron Martin, Panel chair and an official with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. “It offers much-needed guidance as we work toward a unified, systemwide approach to a complex, multijurisdictional issue.” Commission Chair Nat Robinson commended the Panel on its statement, noting that “biological pollution is a double-edged sword that compromises both ecological health and economic productivity.” He called on all regional interests, within and outside of government, “to embrace this policy statement as a blueprint for progress in addressing one of our greatest environmental challenges.”

The Ballast Water Management Policy Statement can be found on the Great Lakes Commission’s web site: projects.glc.org

For immediate release: April 25, 2001
Contact: Mike Donahue, mdonahue@glc.org

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The Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species was officially convened in late 1991 by the Great Lakes Commission in response to section 1203 of the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-646). The Panel is directed to identify Great Lakes priorities; assist / make recommendations to a national Task Force on Aquatic Nuisance Species (also established via P.L. 101-646); coordinate exotic species program activities in the region; advise public and private interests on control efforts; and submit an annual report to the task force describing prevention, research and control activities in the Great Lakes Basin.

The Panel membership is drawn from U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, the eight Great Lakes states and the province of Ontario, regional agencies, user groups, local communities, tribal authorities, commercial interests, and the university / research community.

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The Great Lakes Commission, chaired by Nathaniel E. Robinson (Wisconsin), is a nonpartisan, binational compact agency created by state and U.S. federal law and dedicated to promoting a strong economy, healthy environment and high quality of life for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region and its residents. The Commission consists of state legislators, agency officials and governors’ appointees from its eight member states. Associate membership for Ontario and Québec was established through the signing of a “Declaration of Partnership.” The Commission maintains a formal Observer program involving U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, tribal authorities, binational agencies and other regional interests. The Commission offices are located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.