It is the first international legally binding legislation requiring 
ships to manage their ballast water so that aquatic organisms 
and pathogens are eliminated before the ballast water is 
released in a new location {3.2.3.1, 5.5.1, 6.1.3, 6.31}. While 
the global efficacy of ballast water management cannot be 
assessed yet, there is evidence that it has reduced invasive 
29SUMMARY FOR POLICYMAKERS
19SUMMARY FOR POLICYMAKERS
BACKGROUND
Box SPM 2 The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' 
Ballast Water and Sediments: an example of international collaboration to 
prevent biological invasions.