Metodologia crimp

Report of the BSRP/HELCOM/COLAR Workshop on “Ballast water introductions of alien species into the Baltic Sea” 21-25 February 2005, Palanga, Lithuania

Introduction Many of the invasive alien species present in the Baltic Sea originate from ship ballast water introductions. The role of shipping as a vector of introduction is constantly increasing. Presently, the IMO Ballast Water ManagementConvention (BWMC) is open for ratification, and if properly implemented, the BWMC will minimize the risk of further shipping mediated biological invasions. The implementation of the IMO BWMC in the Baltic Sea area will require a large number of scientific advice and administrative decisions. Aims of the Workshop: 1) to assess applicability of the risk assessment and port baseline survey methodologiesdeveloped under the IMO GloBallast and other relevant projects for the Baltic Sea; 2) to evaluate the research capacity, technical potential and financial resources needed for the risk assessment and the port baseline surveys; 3) to elaborate common principles for the monitoring system of invasive species in the Baltic Sea; 4) to develop a common information system for the Baltic Sea supportingthe implementation of the IMO BWMC Convention. Participants of the Workshop The Workshop was attended by 22 participants from all Baltic Sea countries as well as from Ukraine and Norway. Also HELCOM, the GEF-UNDP-IMO GloBallast Programme and the ICES/IOC/IMO Working Group on Ballast and Other Ship Vectors (WGBOSV) were represented. Technical assistance was provided by students of KlaipedaUniversity. The list of participants is given in Annex 1. Agenda of the Workshop The Workshop format included introductory lectures on specific topics given by invited specialists, presentation of case studies and team work targeted on pre-defined questions. The agenda of the Workshop is given in Annex 2. Need for regional cooperation In accordance with the IMO BWMC article 13 “Technical assistance,co-operation and regional cooperation” the Workshop stressed that cooperation within the Baltic Sea region is crucial for minimizing the risk of ballast water mediated introductions of invasive alien

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species into the Baltic Sea region. Development of methodologies for port baseline biological surveys and risk assessment, design of alien species monitoring programmes, early-warning system andexchange of information would be most effective, both financially and scientifically, if done in cooperation, between states both within the Baltic Sea region and outside it. HELCOM action to address ballast water issue The Workshop discussed the draft HELCOM Recommendation “Measures to address the threat of invasive species transported via the ballast water of ships” (October 2004) elaborated inaccordance with the IMO’s BWMC. The Workshop welcomed the draft HELCOM Recommendation as being very valuable for the organisation of work to prevent ballast water mediated introductions of invasive alien species. The Workshop also agreed that because of the geographical characteristics of the Baltic Sea (a mean depth of 55 metres; all areas deeper than 200 m are within less than 50 nautical miles tothe nearest land) the requirements of the BMWC (Regulation B-4, paragraphs 1.1. and 1.2.) for conducting ballast water exchange cannot be met in the Baltic Sea. An evaluation of the suitability of designating areas in the Baltic where a ship may conduct ballast water exchange, in accordance with Regulation B-4, paragraph 2, must be made by the port states. Ballast water exchange within the Balticmay prevent the spread of freshwater invasive alien species from one freshwater Baltic port to another. However, the ballast water exchange should not be considered as the only effective measure for managing ballast water within the Baltic. Development of risk assessment methodology and other tools (biological surveys, monitoring, early-warning systems, appropriate treatment of ballast water)...