In order to reduce the introduction and spread of alien aquatic species in Hawaiian waters, the Department of Land and Natural Resources has recently adopted new rules to manage ballast water discharge in large seagoing vessels. “The goals of these
In order to reduce the introduction and spread of alien aquatic species in Hawaiian waters, the Department of Land and Natural Resources has recently adopted new rules to manage ballast water discharge in large seagoing vessels.
“The goals of these newly adopted rules are to minimize the introduction and spread of non-indigenous marine forms into waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands,” said Laura Thielen, DLNR chairperson.
Ballast water is taken in or released by ships to provide stability. Water quantities are adjusted for fuel consumption, changes in weather and the overall safety of the ship and crew.
When ships take in ballast water, they are also taking in algae and other marine life that could potentially be introduced if the water is released in port, or along the ship’s route. These non-native species have the potential to become serious environmental impacts.
“Foreign aquatic organisms, such as seaweeds, coral, fish and worms may be harmful to our environment and economy because they have the potential to replace or destroy native organisms, and to alter the balance of our fragile aquatic ecosystems,” Thielen said.
The new ballast water rules apply to qualifying vessels, which include all vessels, national and foreign, carrying ballast water into state or marine waters after operating outside the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. The EEZ extends from the baseline of the territorial sea of the United States seaward 200 nautical miles.
The new rules require vessels to have a ballast water management plan specifically for that vessel, conduct a mid-ocean ballast water exchange or retain all ballast water and to file a ballast water reporting form with the DLNR no later than 24 hours prior to arrival.
Data from the ballast water reports will enable the state to better assess the potential risk that an incoming vessel may contain alien species in the ballast water.
“The Division of Aquatic Resources will be monitoring ballast water reporting records and shipping logs for compliance to the new rules and may take a sample of ballast water to confirm reports,” said a DAR spokesman, Jason Leonard.
“We also have the ability to check with the United States Coast Guard to see if federal ballast water rules are being followed.”
Leonard points out that the shipping industry has been working with the state to conform to the new rules and to do “what’s best for Hawai‘i.”
The Alien Aquatic Organism Task Force also provided input and recommendations toward the new rules. The AAOTF includes members from state and federal agencies, the shipping and boating industry, environmental organizations and the scientific community.
“The shipping industry is already cooperating with the new rules, which were adopted on Oct. 12,” Thielen said.
Leonard stresses the importance of the ballast rules that will hopefully help prevent the spread of non-native species.
“It is well-documented that ballast water is a major pathway for aquatic species introduction around the world,” Leonard said.
“Prevention is the key to protect our unique and fragile aquatic ecosystem and this is what the rules aim to do.”
Leonard says the next step to protecting Hawai‘i’s aquatic ecosystem is to address the issue of hull fouling.
Hull fouling is the attachment of organisms to ship hulls, barges and other floating vessels.
“Studies have shown that as many as 70 percent of the marine invertebrates have arrived via this method,” Leonard said. “DAR will be working with the shipping industry to balance protecting Hawai‘i but allowing reasonable commerce.”
A possible non-native species introduction to Hawai‘i via ballast water or hull fouling is the snowflake coral or Carijoa riisei.
It was discovered in 1972 in Pearl Harbor and has since spread to all other main Hawaiian islands.
The snowflake coral quickly monopolizes food and space resources and has been known to smother black coral colonies at alarming rates.
For more information on the new ballast water rules, go to www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar.
• Rachel Gehrlein, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) or rgehrlein@kauaipubco.com.
