New ballast water regulations designed to hinder the transport of aquatic invasive species within our Great Lakes will come into effect at the end of the year.
They will require vessels entering the Great Lakes to transition to modern ballast water systems that cleanse water of organisms before release. The new regulations also include a program for a transition to the new water systems for vessels travelling only within the Great Lakes.
Prior to 2006, a new aquatic invasive species was being introduced to the Great Lakes about every eight months. In 2006, new regulations required ships coming from other continents to switch their ballast water while in salt water.
The problem, which the Great Lakes Commission’s Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species has been studying for years, is Great Lakes vessels which use ballast water are moving these invasive species from one location to another within the Great Lakes.
The new regulations will tackle this problem.