5. MANDATORY AUSTRALIAN BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS 5.1 General Each year about 150 million tons of ballast water is discharged in Australian waters from overseas vessels. Australian scientists have identified over 200 introduced marine species in Australian coastal waters, most of which have been translocated from overseas ports to Australian ports via shipping. A number of these organisms have become harmful to marine environment, threatening fisheries, aquaculture, Australia’s tourism industries and public health. Unlike other major pollutants of the oceans that can eventually be cleaned up, harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens, once established, are virtually impossible to eradicate and can have serious and permanent consequences. The impact from harmful aquatic organisms threatens marine and estuarine environments in Australia and around the world. The shipping industry operates within a highly regulated environment established by the IMO. The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) was adopted by a Diplomatic Conference at IMO in February 2004. The BWM Convention aims to prevent the potentially devastating effects of the transfer of harmful aquaticorganisms through ballast water discharge. The BWM Convention will enter into force 12 months after 30 IMO Member States; representing 35 per cent of world merchant shipping tonnage has ratified the Convention. Australia has signed the Convention subject to ratification and as a signatory is obliged to refrain from actions that would defeat the object and purpose of the Convention. Under the BWM Convention, ballast water exchange in the open sea will be progressively replaced by ballast water treatment using on-board ballast water management systems (BWMS). The feasibility of this replacement is related to the effectiveness of the treatment of ballast water and the probability aquatic organisms have of surviving after the treated ballast water is discharged into the sea. In addition, the exchange of ballast is not always feasible in areas that do not meet the requirements of depth and distance from land. It is important that officers and crew are familiar with the procedures for managing ballast, whether that is by exchange or treatment. Regular training must be undertaken with the aim to minimize possible safety hazards, for example during the exchange of ballast water as this operation can directly influence the safety of the vessel. Seafarers involved in ballast water management should be familiar with: the ships Ballast Water Management Plan the method of ballast water management
5. MANDATORY AUSTRALIAN BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS 5.1 General Each year about 150 million tons of ballast water is discharged in Australian waters from overseas vessels. Australian scientists have identified over 200 introduced marine species in Australian coastal waters, most of which have been translocated from overseas ports to Australian ports via shipping. A number of these organisms have become harmful to Australia’s marine environment, threatening fisheries, aquaculture, tourism industries and public health. Unlike other major pollutants of the oceans that can eventually be cleaned up, harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens, once established, are virtually impossible to eradicate and can have serious and permanent consequences. The impact from harmful aquatic organisms threatens marine and estuarine environments in Australia and around the world. The shipping industry operates within a highly regulated environment established by the IMO. The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) was adopted by a Diplomatic Conference at IMO in February 2004. The BWM Convention aims to prevent the potentially devastating effects of the transfer of harmful aquaticorganisms through ballast water discharge. The BWM Convention will enter into force 12 months after 30 IMO Member States; representing 35 per cent of world merchant shipping tonnage has ratified the Convention. Australia has signed the Convention subject to ratification and as a signatory is obliged to refrain from actions that would defeat the object and purpose of the Convention. Under the BWM Convention, ballast water exchange in the open sea will be progressively replaced by ballast water treatment using on-board ballast water management systems (BWMS). The feasibility of this replacement is related to the effectiveness of the treatment of ballast water and the probability aquatic organisms have of surviving after the treated ballast water is discharged into the sea. In addition, the exchange of ballast is not always feasible in areas that do not meet the requirements of depth and distance from land. It is important that officers and crew are familiar with the procedures for managing ballast, whether that is by exchange or treatment. Regular training must be undertaken with the aim to minimize possible safety hazards, for example during the exchange of ballast water as this operation can directly influence the safety of the vessel. Seafarers involved in ballast water management should be familiar with: the ships Ballast Water Management Plan the method of ballast water management
Guide%20for%20Seafarers%20on%20Ships%20Sailing%20in%20Australian%20Waters%20Rev%201%20Nov%202013.docx