USA

Ballast water management

The US National Invasive Species ACt 1996 enables the US Coast Guard to enact regulations to control the import of aquatic species.

There are guidelines for voluntary ballast water management in US waters, except for the Great Lakes where this is mandatory.

Ships may be required to provide information to the USCG on ballast water management, but currently there is no civil or criminal penalties for non compliance.

It is likely the guidelines may become mandatory in law by end of 2004.

The following websites are useful :