Science Response 2019/030

The risks of spreading aquatic invasive species to Canada by moving unmanaged ballast water from Canada to the U.S. within the Great Lakes region

Context

Ballast water is a high-risk vector for the introduction and spread of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens, also known as aquatic invasive species (AIS). Canada is a signatory to the International Maritime Organization’s 2004 International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (hereafter known as the Convention), which entered into force in 2017. Transport Canada proposed new ballast water regulations to give effect to this Convention in Canada and to mitigate the risk of introducing and spreading AIS. The proposed regulations would require any ballast water being loaded or discharged in Canadian waters to be managed as per the Convention (Canadian Gazette 2019). However, the United States (U.S.) exempts Great Lakes vessels (hereafter known as Lakers) from managing their ballast water. This discrepancy raised questions concerning U.S. Lakers loading ballast water in Canada and releasing it unmanaged into waters under U.S. jurisdiction, as these actions may present risks to Canada. Therefore, Transport Canada is seeking scientific advice from Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the risks of spreading AIS to new locations in Canada by moving unmanaged ballast water in commercial vessels from Canada to the U.S. within the Laurentian Great Lakes region (hereafter the Great Lakes). This advice is provided by synthesizing relevant scientific literature on the risks of spreading AIS in the Great Lakes via ballast water as a vector, including specific risks to Canada due to unmanaged ballast water, the effectiveness of onboard ballast water management systems (BWMS), and the risks of natural and anthropogenic vectors or pathways that may also spread AIS from the U.S. to Canada.

This Science Response Report results from the Science Response Process of June 19, 2019, on The risks to Canada by moving unmanaged ballast water from Canada to the United States within the Great Lakes.

Complete document (PDF, 386 KB)

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