What are the Impacts of Species Introduced Through Ballast Water?
Aquatic invasive species constitute a significant threat to biodiversity in the world’s coastal waters because they often have no natural predators and may out-compete native species for food in their new environment. Once established, invasive species can cause major environmental and economic harm as they multiply and spread. They can be very difficult, if not impossible, to control or eradicate following introduction into the receiving waters. Not all introduced organisms will become invasive species and harm native ecosystems; for example, some species taken onboard from a freshwater environment may not be able to survive if discharged into saltwater. Due to the variability in organisms and complex environmental interactions affecting their establishment, it is not yet possible to accurately predict whether an introduced species will become an invasive species in a new location.
