The 111th Congress may elect to consider legislation that has been introduced to amend and reauthorize the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to establish vessel ballast water management standards and modify how ballast water is handled. In recent years, many people have become increasingly aware that the globalization of trade, the increased speed of travel, the massive volume of cargo shipments, and rising tourism have combined to increase the chance of accidental introductions of foreign species into the United States. Aquatic species arrive through a variety of mechanismsunintentionally when attached to vessel hulls or carried in vessel ballast water and intentionally when imported for aquaria display, as live seafood for human consumption, or as a transplant to increase sport fishing opportunities. The arrival of zebra mussels in the Great Lakes and their subsequent damage to city water supplies and electric utilities has focused significant attention on ballast water discharge by cargo ships as a high-risk mechanism for species invasion. New management efforts attempt to address this concern.


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    Title :

    Ballast Water Management to Combat Invasive Species, January 28, 2010


    Contributors:
    E. H. Buck (author)

    Publication date :

    2010


    Size :

    14 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English