Invasive Alien Species, Ship Ballast Water & Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention

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Invasive Alien Species, Ship Ballast Water & Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention

Invasive Alien Species, Ship Ballast Water & Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention

Table of Contents

Context:

Tamil Nadu WRD had sought ₹160 crore from Kamarajar Port (Ennore) to tackle invasive mussels (Mytillela strigata / charru mussel).

Invasive Alien Species

Invasive alien species are plants, animals, pathogens and other organisms that are non-native to an ecosystem, and which may cause economic or environmental harm or adversely affect human health.
- In particular, they impact adversely upon biodiversity, including decline or elimination of native species – through competition, predation, or transmission of pathogens – and the disruption of local ecosystems and ecosystem functions.
Invasive alien species occur in all taxonomic groups, including animals, plants, fungi and microorganisms
Common characteristics of IAS include rapid reproduction and growth, high dispersal ability, phenotypic plasticity (ability to adapt physiologically to new conditions), and ability to survive on various food types and in a wide range of environmental conditions.
Some common invasive species found in India:
- Viper grass, Lantana camara, Prosopis juliflora, Water hyacinth, African catfish, Cotton Mealy Bug, Primrose Willow, Red-eared Slider, Congress weed, Elephant grass, Prickly pear, Dodder, Mesquite

Global Regulation

The primary international convention that deals with invasive alien species (IAS) is the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
- Article 8(h) of the CBD specifically calls for its parties to prevent the introduction of, control, or eradicate alien species that threaten ecosystems, habitats, or species.
- The CBD’s Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework also includes a target to reduce the introduction and impact of IAS
  - TARGET 6: Eliminate, minimize, reduce and or mitigate the impacts of invasive alien species on biodiversity and ecosystem services by identifying and managing pathways of the introduction of alien species, preventing the introduction and establishment of priority invasive alien species, reducing the rates of introduction and establishment of other known or potential invasive alien species by at least 50 percent, by 2030, eradicating or controlling invasive alien species especially in priority sites, such as islands .

Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP)

GISP provides support to the implementation of Article 8(h) of the Convention on Biological Diversity and has contributed extensively to the knowledge and awareness of invasive species through the development of a range of products and publications.
Created in 1997
GISP was a collaboration of several organizations, including the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment (SCOPE), CAB International (CABI), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)

It is a global network of scientific and policy experts on invasive species, organized under the auspices of the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
It was established in 1994 as a specialist group within the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
It aims to reduce threats to natural ecosystems and the native species they contain by increasing awareness of invasive alien species, and of ways to prevent, control or eradicate them.
The ISSG promotes and facilitates the exchange of invasive species information and knowledge across the globe and ensures the linkage between knowledge, practice and policy so that decision making is informed.
The two core activity areas of the ISSG are policy and technical advice, and information exchange through online resources and tools and through networking.

Global Invasive Species Database

It is a free, online searchable source of information about alien and invasive species that negatively impact biodiversity.
The Global Invasive Species Database (GISD) is managed by the Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. It was developed between 1998 and 2000 as part of the global initiative on invasive species led by the erstwhile Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP).
The GISD aims to increase public awareness about invasive species and to facilitate effective prevention and management activities by disseminating specialist knowledge and experience to a broad global audience.
It focuses on invasive alien species that threaten native biodiversity and natural areas and covers all taxonomic groups from micro-organisms to animals and plants.

IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC)

It is a science-based network of more than 10,500 volunteer experts from almost every country of the world.
SSC, the Species Survival Commission, is the largest of the six Commissions of IUCN
Working in close association with IUCN Secretariat, SSC’s major role is to provide information to IUCN on biodiversity conservation, the inherent value of species, their role in ecosystem health and functioning, the provision of ecosystem services, and their support to human livelihoods. This information is fed into the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
It serves as the main source of advice to the Union and its members on the technical aspects of species conservation. SSC seeks to mobilise action by the world conservation community for species conservation, particularly those species threatened with extinction and those of importance for human welfare.
On behalf of IUCN, the Species Survival Commission delivers and promotes its knowledge, advice and policies to those who can influence the implementation of conservation action.
Therefore SSC
- produces the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- provides technical and scientific advice to governments, international environmental treaties, conservation organisations
- publishes Action Plans, newsletters, policy guidelines
- organises workshops
- implements on-ground conservation projects
- raises funds for and carries out research.
Objectives:
- To influence decisions and policies affecting biodiversity by providing recommendations and guidelines based on sound interdisciplinary scientific information.
- To encourage users of natural resources to adopt modes of production and consumption that promote the conservation of biodiversity.
- To increase the capacity to provide timely, innovative and practical solutions to conservation problems.

Ballast Water

Ships need to have a certain level of immersion into the sea to be stable. When a ship discharges cargo, it rises up in the water and therefore, to keep a minimum level of immersion, ship staff take in sea water called ballast water inside tanks in the ship. And when the ship loads cargo, leading to more immersion, the ballast water is pumped out of the ship.
Until recently, there was no bar on taking in and pumping out ballast water at ports, in the ocean, along the coast and so on. Since ballast water carries invasive species into other countries that destroy ecosystems, global shipping has sought to regulate ballast water discharge

The Problem in India

Nearly 30 invasive species introduced via ballast water in Indian waters.
- Example: Charru mussel
  - In the Pulicat lake in Tamil Nadu, as in Ashtamudi lake in Kerala, this mussel has replaced almost all other species

Charru mussel

Native to South America, the charru mussel has spread to other regions including India
Marine but adapts even to freshwater.
Characteristics: very high survival rate, rapid reproduction, egg production.
Impact: Replaces native species, disturbs ecological balance.
Spread observed in Pulicat Lake (Tamil Nadu) and Ashtamudi Lake (Kerala).

Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention of International Maritime Organization (IMO)

Full name International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004
It is a treaty adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in order to help prevent the spread of potentially harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens in ships’ ballast water
India is not a signatory to BWM Convention
Entered into force globally on 8 September 2017.
- From 8 September 2017, ships must manage their ballast water so that aquatic organisms and pathogens are removed or rendered harmless before the ballast water is released into a new location. This will help prevent the spread of invasive species as well as potentially harmful pathogens.
Application:The convention applies to ships registered under contracting Parties to the BWM Convention, which take up and use ballast water during international voyages.

What Ships need to do under the convention?

From the date of entry into force, ships in international traffic are required to manage their ballast water and sediments to a certain standard, according to a ship-specific ballast water management plan. Ships have to carry:
- An ballast water management plan – specific to each ship, the ballast water management plan includes a detailed description of the actions to be taken to implement the ballast water management requirements and supplemental ballast water management practices;
- A ballast water record book – to record when ballast water is taken on board; circulated or treated for ballast water management purposes; and discharged into the sea. It should also record when ballast water is discharged to a reception facility and accidental or other exceptional discharges of ballast water; and
- An International Ballast Water Management Certificate – (ships of 400 gt and above) – this is issued by or on behalf of the Administration (flag State) and certifies that the ship carries out ballast water management in accordance with the BWM Convention and specifies which standard the ship is complying with, as well as the date of expiry of the Certificate.

FAQs

1. What are Invasive Alien Species (IAS)?

IAS are non-native species introduced to an ecosystem, causing harm to biodiversity, economy, or human health by outcompeting native species and disrupting ecosystems.

2. What are the key traits of IAS?

Rapid reproduction, adaptability to diverse conditions, broad diet, and high dispersal capacity.

3. Give examples of invasive species in India.

Lantana camara, Water hyacinth, African catfish, Congress weed, Charru mussel.

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