ADDRESSING INVASIVE AQUATIC SPECIES

Work on the experience-building phase of the BWM Convention (EBP) was highlighted at the annual meeting (6-8 March) of the joint International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC) and IMO (ICES/IOC/IMO) Working Group on Ballast and Other Ship Vectors, which was held in Weymouth, United Kingdom.

     The group discussed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for collection of treated ballast water samples, which were developed by the group and agreed by IMO’s Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR) to be included in the data gathering and analysis plan for the EBP.

     IMO’s Biofouling Guidelines also address bioinvasions via ships’ hulls and contribute to protecting the ocean environment. The group discussed the review of the Biofouling Guidelines, which is to be undertaken by the PPR Sub-Committee. The group will input its views into this work. The review of the guidelines comes as IMO begins to implement a global project to build capacity in developing countries for improved implementation of biofouling management.