Abstract
The importance of ballast water as a vector for moving non-indigenous species was initially addressed in a 1973 International Maritime Organization (IMO) resolution. Subsequently IMO worked towards the finalization of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) which was adopted in February 2004 at a diplomatic conference in London. The BWM Convention’s main aim is to prevent, minimize and ultimately eliminate the risks to the environment, human health, property and resources which arise from the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens via ships’ ballast waters and related sediments. It should be noted that harmful aquatic organisms in this context are not limited to non-indigenous species, but covers all aquatic species irrespective of their origin. As defined at IMO “Ballast Water Management means mechanical, physical, chemical, and biological processes, either singularly or in combination, to remove, render harmless, or avoid the uptake or discharge of Harmful Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens within Ballast Water and Sediments.” The BWM Convention and its supporting guidelines are described in this chapter, outlining the ballast water exchange and performance standards, warnings concerning ballast water uptake in certain areas, ballast water reception facilities, sediment management as well as exemptions and exceptions from ballast water management requirements. This chapter ends with the description of implementation options of the BWM Convention.
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Acknowledgements
The research leading to part of these results has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007–2013) under Grant Agreement No. [266445] for the project Vectors of Change in Oceans and Seas Marine Life, Impact on Economic Sectors (VECTORS). Part of this publication has been produced with the financial assistance of the IPA Adriatic Cross-Border Cooperation Programme – strategic project Ballast Water Management System for Adriatic Sea Protection (BALMAS). The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of authors and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the IPA Adriatic Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Authorities.
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The content of this chapter does not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the European Maritime Safety Agency or the European Commission. Responsibility for the information and views expressed in this chapter lies entirely with the authors.
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David, M., Gollasch, S., Elliott, B., Wiley, C. (2015). Ballast Water Management Under the Ballast Water Management Convention. In: David, M., Gollasch, S. (eds) Global Maritime Transport and Ballast Water Management. Invading Nature - Springer Series in Invasion Ecology, vol 8. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9367-4_5
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