Developing Ballast Water Regulations Presentation by Gerard McDonald to the 9th Asia-Pacific Heads Of Maritime Safety Agencies Forum April 2006

2 Actions to date: 1989: Transport Canada introduced Voluntary Guidelines for Ballast Water Exchange for ships headed to the Great Lakes 1991: International Maritime Organization introduced Guidelines 1997: Port of Vancouver introduced ballast water regulations 1998/99: Canadian Marine Advisory Council national and regional working groups formed 2000: National Ballast Water Management Guidelines introduced 2004: International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments finalized by the IMO

3 New Regulations IMO Resolution A.868(20) IMO Ballast Water Convention Existing Canadian Guidelines Scientific advice U.S. Regulations Public consultations

4 Proposed Ballast Water Control and Management Regulations The regulations include the following provisions: –Require ballast exchange at sea > 200 nm –Permit exchange at sea > 50 nm when > 200 not possible –Require residual ballast to be managed if it is to be mixed with local waters and discharged –Establish alternate exchange zones for the east coast, west coast and Arctic –Establish exchange procedures for ships on transoceanic and coastal voyages –Require ballast salinity to be at least 30 ppt

5 Proposed Ballast Water Control and Management Regulations Regulatory Provisions (continued) –Accept ships that meet the IMO Ballast Water Convention performance standard –Require sediments to be disposed of properly –Require ships to carry a Ballast Water Management Plan –Require ships to give 96 hours notice if unable to comply –Require ships to implement measures determined by Transport Canada if unable to comply –Require ships to submit a Ballast Water Reporting Form

6 Looking to the Future Consider incorporation of all the provisions of the IMO International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 Address domestic traffic Develop treatment technologies

7 Conclusion Our Regulations are not the final solution to the issue The Guidelines and Regulations do provide sound first steps towards addressing the issue