Quick Links

Pacific Ballast Water Group

NOTE: INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROJECT IS CURRENTLY KEPT UP TO DATE AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATION:http://www.psmfc.org/dataprojects/pbwg.html

Introduction

Cornell University ecologist David Pimentel estimates that invasive species cost the U.S. more than $122 billion annually. A report by the Environmental Defense Fund shows that roughly 400 of the 958 species listed as threatened or endangered by the U.S. Interior Department are at risk from invasive species. Studies have shown that many species of bacteria, plants and animals can survive in ballast water and sediment carried on ships. The discharge of ballast water is a major pathway for the transfer of potentially harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens around the world.

The Pacific Ballast Water Group (PBWG) was formed by representatives from the shipping industry, state and federal agencies, environmental organizations, and others who recognized the need for a cooperative and coordinated regional approach to solving the problem. Shipping is an international industry. Conflicting port or state regulations can create a complicated set of rules that make compliance difficult. The International Maritime Organization (IMO), the federal government, the shipping industry and the ports advocate that a consistent international or national approach is more preferable than local approaches, and will avoid the regulatory confusion and competition issues that may occur under a "patch work" regulatory approach. However, it is generally recognized that international and national efforts are ponderously slow in development and current programs do not adequately address the problem. The significant and mounting damages and costs associated with aquatic nuisance species have prompted increasing activity at the international, national, regional, state and local levels to regulate ballast water. Focused and effective action is needed to prevent further damage to coastal environments and economies, while minimizing regulatory complexity, shifts in competitive advantage, and economic impacts to the shipping industry.