Canada Increases Funding for Ballast Water Management Research

The Canadian government has allocated US$8 million to support research on ballast water management in the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River, with the aim of preventing the spread of invasive species. The increase in shipping activity in the region has led to a rise in threats from aquatic invasive species, which have had negative impacts on native biodiversity, fisheries, and the overall ecological and socioeconomic balance of the Great Lakes.

To address this issue, Transport Canada is funding four organizations to conduct research on ballast water management. These organizations will focus on developing industry-led solutions to technical challenges related to the installation, operation, and maintenance of ballast water management systems. The discharge of ballast water has been identified as the primary cause of invasion in the Great Lakes since the modern St. Lawrence Seaway was opened in 1959.

Transport Canada has highlighted the technical and operational challenges of treating ballast water in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River region, where the water can be cold, fresh, and mixed with sediment. The Ballast Water Innovation Program aims to improve technical expertise to address these specific conditions and protect the region’s biodiversity and ecosystems from invasive species. In addition to funding research, Canada has also introduced Ballast Water Regulations to prevent the introduction and spread of 34 aquatic invasive species in Canadian waters by 2044. Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez emphasized that these efforts are part of Canada’s commitment to protecting marine ecosystems and strengthening its response to marine incidents through the Ocean Protection Plan.

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