14th August 2024 (10 Topics)
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Regulation of Ballast Water
Context
Tamil Nadu’s Water Resources Department (WRD) is seeking ?160 crore from Kamarajar Port in Ennore, Tamil Nadu, to remove invasive charru mussels (Mytella strigata) that have proliferated near the port from ship ballast water. These mussels are damaging marine ecosystems and disrupting fishing activities.
What is Ballast Water?
- Ships use ballast water to maintain stability by adjusting their immersion levels when cargo is added or removed. This water is taken in and pumped out at ports or during voyages.
- Historically, there were no controls on ballast water discharge, but it can carry harmful invasive species. Consequently, global regulations were established to control this practice.
- Invasive Species Problem: In India, scientists have recorded nearly 30 invasive species coming from ship ballast water. Among the most harmful in recent times is the charru mussel, Mytella Rigata.
- It outcompetes native species in areas like Pulicat Lake in Tamil Nadu and Ashtamudi Lake in Kerala.
Global Regulations
- Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention: The BMW Convention of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) came into force in 2017 to help prevent the spread of potentially harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens in ships’ ballast water.
- Requirements: Ships must treat ballast water to remove or neutralize harmful organisms before discharging it.
- 97 countries have signed on to the BWM as contracting states.
- Countries Leading in Regulation: Australia and New Zealand enforce strict checks on ballast water due to their ecologically sensitive environments (such as the Great Barrier Reef).
India’s Position
- India has not signed the BWM Convention, so there are no mandatory regulations for ballast water discharge at Indian ports.
- While other rules such as relating to discharge of oil apply in Indian ports, the discharge of ballast water brought in from other countries is not subject to checks or regulation.
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