Book Description

Each year, vessels transport hundreds of million of tonnes of ballast water around the world. Those waters and associated sediments contain hundreds odf species of organisms, of wich many have established in new habitats and caused negative effects to human health, economy and environment. This report describes the Canadian situation, in its international context, regarding the introduction of nonindigenous species by ship-transported ballast water, reviewing specifically vessel traffic, regulations, management and scientific research activities, and possible controls and treatments. Essentially, the international recognition of the problem has not led to concrete action in countries other than Australia, the United States, and more recently, Israel and Chile. Canada is particularly vulnerable to the introduction of nonindigenous species by ships, considering the large quantities of ballast water discharged in its ports and the near absence of control measures in regions other than Great Lakes. As for many countries. Canada needs to assess the riks posed to its aquatic habitats and resources.