| The Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention • Enforced by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) • Came into force in 2017. • Requires ships to manage ballast water to prevent the spread of harmful organisms. • As of July 2024, 97 countries have signed the BWM Convention, but India is not among them. • No restriction is seen regarding the discharge of ballast water in Indian ports. |
- The Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department (WRD) has informed NGT that it has sought funds from Ennore port to remove invasive, harmful charru mussels (Mytella Strigata) proliferated along the east coast.
- Its survival rate and egg production are very high, and native to the south and central American coast.
- Though of marine origin, it can survive even in freshwater.
- It spreads through unregulated ballast water discharge from ships, damages marine ecosystems and disrupts fisher livelihoods.
- Ballast water, which is essential for ship stability but can carry invasive species when discharged.
- Ballast water, taken in by ships to maintain stability, is often discharged after cargo loading, spreading invasive species across different regions.
- New ships are equipped with systems to neutralize biological organisms in ballast water, while older ships must exchange ballast water with “neutral” ocean water.
- Globally, nearly 30 invasive species have entered India via ballast water replacing native species in water bodies like Pulicat Lake in Tamil Nadu and Ashtamudi Lake in Kerala.
Dig Deeper: List invasive species spread in India due to the discharge of ballast water.
