Advisors to Great Lakes Fishery Commission Frustrated over Inaction

The U.S. and Canadian Advisors just released a resolution urging the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and its Commissioners on the need to regulate aquatic invasive species from ballast water.

It speaks frankly to the progress (or lack of) in the federal government curbing invasive species introductions when it says:

“Whereas, current ballast water regulations have proven ineffective inasmuch as the rate of aquatic invasive species introductions has not slowed, and
Whereas, governmental action on legislation, regulation, and funding to remedy this serious problem has been woefully lacking, and
Whereas, meaningful, comprehensive AIS legislation has not been implemented in either the United States or Canada, despite broad consensus in the Great Lakes region that it should…”

It also notes something not talked about as much as it should be:

“Whereas, ballast water may provide a vector for human and fish and wildlife pathogens to enter Great Lakes waters”…seriously, if inadequately regulated ballast was the source of even a small, localized disease outbreak that contaminated drinking water all hell would break loose.
 
Then it concludes:

“Therefore be it Resolved that the U.S. and Canadian Advisors urge the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and its Commissioners to support the immediate passage of comprehensive federal legislation in both countries to prevent the introduction of aquatic invasive species, with special emphasis on ballast water regulations.
Be it further resolved that the U.S. and Canadian Advisors ask that the Commission and its Commissioners support a moratorium on entrance of oceangoing vessels into the Great Lakes until effective methods of ballast water treatments are implemented.”

The Great Lakes Fishery Commission has long been on the front of the push for comprehensive federal legislation on invasive species, and was heavily involved in the development of the Great Lakes Regional Collaborations invasive species recommendations. So why is this noteworthy?

1. Who the advisors are: they represent mostly sport and commercial fishing interests, appointed by the governors (or the ministry of natural resources and the department of fisheries and oceans in Canada) to advise on issues important to the health and sustainability of the fishery.

2. This issue is of such importance to the fishery that this is the first joint U.S. and Canadian resolution released.

3. The advisors are charged with making recommendations to the high-level Great Lakes Fishery Commission on its duties. So, basically, the Commission has been further supported in its ongoing work to secure federal legislation on invasive species. It also for the first time has been emboldened to take a position supporting a moratorium.

Cliff notes: aquatic invasive species are such a threat to the health and sustainability of the fishery, fishing interests recommend that ocean vessels be restricted from the Great Lakes until legislation is passed and ballast regulated.

• Posted by Jennifer Nalbone on June 15th, 2007
• Tags: Shipping Moratorium
• Similiar Posts:
  • Advisors Pass Resolution to Stop Invasive Species
  • Senators Levin and Voinovich ask Commerce Committee to Introduce a Ballast Bill
  • Halting Invasive Species Requires More than New Rule by U.S. Seaway Corporation
  • Invasive Species Threaten Our Ecosystem and Economy
  • Great Lakes Regional Collaboration

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