Publication Abstract

Survival rates of species in ballast water during International voyages: results of the first workshops of the European Union

Survival rates of species in ballast water during International voyages: results of the first workshops of the European Union

S. Gollasch, H. Rosenthal. I. Laing, E. Leppakoski, E. MacDonald, D. Minchin, M/ Nauke, S. Olenin, S.D. Utting and I. Wallentinus

International shipping has been recognized as a major vector for the introduction of nonindigenous and harmful organisms through the transport of species in ballast water as well as fouling on hulls. In recent decades, ballast water discharges have increased throughout the world in and near most major ports, causing an increased probability of successful transfer and establishment of self-sustaining populations of exotic species. Although many data reviews and sampling programs have been carried out, little information exists on the survival rates of species or individuals during ship journeys. Detailed information on the survival rate of species would assist in evaluating the risk of unintentional introductions. During a previous study, the survival of planktonic organisms in ballast water tanks was studied by accompanying a container vessel on its 23-day voyage from Singapore to Germany. Results of that study are compared with results obtained during workshops of the recently initiated European Union Concerted Action in an attempt to intercalibrate methods of sampling ballast tanks. During both inter-oceanic and shorter voyages, most species and individual organisms decreased in number, although a species of harpacticoid copepod increased dramatically in one tank. The results of the first workshop on intercalibration of ballast water sampling techniques and the initial results of two ocean-going workshops are presented and discussed in this paper.

Reference:

S. Gollasch, H. Rosenthal. I. Laing, E. Leppakoski, E. MacDonald, D. Minchin, M/ Nauke, S. Olenin, S.D. Utting and I. Wallentinus, 1999. Survival rates of species in ballast water during International voyages: results of the first workshops of the European Union. pp296-305 In: (Pederson, J. (ed.): Marine Bioinvasions.

S. Gollasch, H. Rosenthal. I. Laing*, E. Leppakoski, E. MacDonald, D. Minchin, M/ Nauke, S. Olenin, S.D. Utting* and I. Wallentinus

pp296-305 In: (Pederson, J. (ed.): Marine Bioinvasions.