Ballast Water
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Ships are dumping invasive species laden ballast water into Washington Waters
Ballast water is carried by unladen ships for balance.
Ships often take on ballast water in one port then discharge it at their destination.
When a ship takes harbor water into its tanks, it also takes along organisms—plants, animals, plankton. Many of these survive the ocean journey and take up residence in the place where the ship dumps the ballast water—in a port like Seattle.
Some examples of invasive species spread via ballast water include the Green Crab, the Asian clam, the zebra and quagga mussel, the shipworm, purple loosestrife and Spartina.
What are we doing to protect Washington waters?
The state legislature passed SB 5923 in 2007. This bill updated regulations that govern the discharge of ballast water in Washington state waters (Chapter 77.120RCW).
Washington State’s Ballast Water Program is implemented by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Under Washington state law ballast water can only be discharged in Washington waters if:
1) it has been exchanged in the open sea, or;
2) it has been treated to kill/remove organisms.
Fines of up to $27,500 can be levied on ship operators that discharge unexchanged or untreated ballast water into state waters.
The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife monitors compliance with ballast water laws. This program, coupled with efforts by shipping companies to follow the law, has led to an impressive reduction in the amount of dangerous ballast water discharged in Puget Sound.
Unfortunately, the Fish and Wildlife Department's monitoring program is underfunded.
There is little enforcement in the Columbia River, leaving it vulnerable to invasion via ballast water. Full funding of the entire state program would cost about $300,000 per year, and is a small price to pay relative to the ongoing costs of managing the problems that invasive species could create.
Ships often take on ballast water in one port then discharge it at their destination.
When a ship takes harbor water into its tanks, it also takes along organisms—plants, animals, plankton. Many of these survive the ocean journey and take up residence in the place where the ship dumps the ballast water—in a port like Seattle.
Some examples of invasive species spread via ballast water include the Green Crab, the Asian clam, the zebra and quagga mussel, the shipworm, purple loosestrife and Spartina.
What are we doing to protect Washington waters?
The state legislature passed SB 5923 in 2007. This bill updated regulations that govern the discharge of ballast water in Washington state waters (Chapter 77.120RCW).
Washington State’s Ballast Water Program is implemented by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Under Washington state law ballast water can only be discharged in Washington waters if:
1) it has been exchanged in the open sea, or;
2) it has been treated to kill/remove organisms.
Fines of up to $27,500 can be levied on ship operators that discharge unexchanged or untreated ballast water into state waters.
The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife monitors compliance with ballast water laws. This program, coupled with efforts by shipping companies to follow the law, has led to an impressive reduction in the amount of dangerous ballast water discharged in Puget Sound.
Unfortunately, the Fish and Wildlife Department's monitoring program is underfunded.
There is little enforcement in the Columbia River, leaving it vulnerable to invasion via ballast water. Full funding of the entire state program would cost about $300,000 per year, and is a small price to pay relative to the ongoing costs of managing the problems that invasive species could create.