No. H069/06For release June 28, 2006
OTTAWA — Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and
Communities, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, today announced publication of
Ballast Water Control and Management Regulations, which will further reduce the
risk of harmful aquatic species and pathogens being introduced into Canadian
waters through ships' ballast water.
"Canada recognizes that uncontrolled discharge of ballast water and sediment has
led to the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms into the Canadian marine
environment," said Minister Cannon. "These new regulations will mean tangible
results for Canada's marine environment."
The ballast water regulations make mandatory several of the existing voluntary
measures Transport Canada formerly had in place. The regulations are harmonized
as much as possible with the U.S. Coast Guard requirements and with the
International Convention for the Control and Management of Ship's Ballast Water
and Sediments.
When ships do not travel beyond 200 miles from shore, or when ships cannot
exchange their ballast water in mid-ocean because of weather or other related
safety issues, they will be required to follow other best management practices.
These practices include treating the ballast water, or keeping the water
onboard. The regulations also specify alternative zones, within waters under
Canadian jurisdiction, where ballast water can be exchanged. These alternative
exchange zones have been identified based on scientific advice provided by the
Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
Under the regulations, all ship operators will have to develop a ballast water
management plan for each ship that must comply with the regulations. This plan
must outline the measures and procedures established by the operator to ensure
that ballast water is being managed safely and effectively.
This initiative is part of Transport Canada's ongoing work to protect our
environment and the safety of the marine industry.
The Ballast Water Control and Management Regulations were published in the
Canada Gazette, Part II on Wednesday, June 28, 2006. The regulations were first
published in Canada Gazette, Part I on June 11, 2005.
A backgrounder with further information on the management of ballast water by
ships is attached.
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Contacts:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities,
Ottawa
(613) 991-0700
Kirsten Goodnough
Communications
Transport Canada, Ottawa
(613) 993-0055
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
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BACKGROUNDER
BALLAST WATER REGULATIONS
Ballast water is carried in ships' ballast or cargo tanks to
control ships' stability, list, draught or stresses. Ballast is extremely
important for the safety of the ship. However, scientific evidence also suggests
that ballast water carried on board a ship can be a means by which harmful
aquatic organisms and pathogens are unintentionally transported around the
world. These organisms can potentially threaten ecosystems when a ship
discharges untreated ballast water from one body of water into another.
These regulations are intended to reduce the risk of foreign species being
introduced into Canadian waters through the inappropriate discharge of ballast
water while continuing to protect the safety of the ship and crew. The
regulations are harmonized as much as possible with the U.S. Coast Guard
requirements and with the International Convention for the Control and
Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments.
Transport Canada's regulations prescribe how ships bound for Canadian ports must
manage their ballast water. Ships are required to exchange their ballast water
at least 200 miles from shore and in waters having a depth of 2,000 metres or
more before entering waters under Canadian jurisdiction.
When ships do not travel beyond 200 miles from shore, or when ships cannot
exchange their ballast water in mid-ocean because of weather or other related
safety issues, they will be required to follow other best management practices.
These practices include treating the ballast water, or keeping the water
onboard. The regulations also specify alternative zones, within waters under
Canadian jurisdiction, where ballast water can be exchanged. These alternative
exchange zones have been identified based on scientific advice provided by the
Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
The regulations will also require an operator of a ship to develop a ballast
water management plan for each ship. This plan must outline the measures and
procedures established by the operator to ensure that ballast water is being
managed safely and effectively. Transport Canada inspectors will use portable
devices to measure the salt content of ballast water carried by ships arriving
at Canadian ports when monitoring and enforcing compliance with the new
regulations.
June 2006
