A number of non-native aquatic organisms have established themselves in waters throughout the world; in particular the introduction of several species in the Great Lakes have caused significant damage. Because many of these introductions have been attributed to the discharge of ballast water from ships, there have been demands for ballast water discharge controls. 

In response to concerns expressed by the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission, Transport Canada (TC) introduced voluntary guidelines for mid-ocean ballast water exchange in April 1989 for ships destined to the Great Lakes. In consultation with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and others, TC developed revised guidelines for the 1990, 1991, and 1993 shipping seasons.

TC, in consultation with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the US Coast Guard, the shipping industry and other interested parties, has developed national ballast water management guidelines that became effective on September 1, 2000. TP 13617,  Guidelines for the Control of Ballast Water Discharge from Ships in Waters Under Canadian Jurisdiction incorporated and recognized existing Great Lakes, west coast, US and international standards.

TC has conducted or participated in studies concerning the effectiveness of ballast water exchange, the safety of ballast water exchange and alternatives to exchange.

The USCG introduced mandatory ballast water exchange requirements for the Great Lakes on May 10, 1993. They carry out ballast water salinity tests at Massena, N.Y., on all vessels, whether destined for a Great Lakes port in the United States or Canada.

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted guidelines for ballast water exchange in July 1991. A working group began development of regulations to replace these guidelines in 1994 and is expected to finalize them in 2004. The development of discharge standards and an implementation scheme that recognizes safety concerns for existing ships are the main challenges that need to be addressed.

The statutory authority to replace the Canadian guidelines by regulations has been provided through an amendment to the Canada Shipping Act that came into force in October 1998. Bill C-14 expands these authorities in the Canada Shipping Act, 2001.

The Port of Vancouver introduced a mandatory Ballast Water Exchange Program in 1997. This program now also includes the ports of Nanaimo and Fraser River.

In order to promote the concept of a regional approach to ballast water controls, TC announced in February 2001 its intention to introduce ballast water regulations for the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River, now scheduled for completion in 2002. The suitability of the Laurentian Channel as an alternate ballast water exchange site is currently being discussed and was the subject of a workshop at the November 2001 meeting of the Canadian Marine Advisory Council (CMAC) Ballast Water Working Group.

A Sub-Committee on Ballast Water was formed under the Great Lakes Regional Waterways Management Forum in December 2000. This Sub-Committee is co-chaired by TC and the US Coast Guard and has a primary function to make recommendations towards harmonizing Canadian and U.S. ballast water management regulations on the Great Lakes. The Sub-Committee made recommendations concerning the proposed Canadian regulations to the CMAC in May 2001.

TC continues to support the introduction of international regulations and participates in the development of ballast water control regulations at the IMO.

TC recognizes that, because of the international nature of shipping, action to improve pollution prevention in maritime operations is most effectively carried out at an international level through the IMO.

TC recognizes that regional differences will necessitate regional solutions. This has been reflected in the national guidelines and the present IMO regulatory strategy. TC supports participation by all affected parties in reaching regional solutions but does not consider that action by individual ports, states or provinces is an effective practical solution to the problem.

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