5 BALLAST WATER

5.1

Objective Title:Development of a standard method for sampling ballast water

Research Leader: Dr C Hay

Institution:Cawthron Institute

A detailed knowledge of inbound shipping and ship ballast-tank configurations will be acquired. Protocols for obtaining samples from ships in a way that encourages the support of ship owners, agents and port authorities will be established. Experiments will be conducted to find an efficient method of sampling ballast tanks without inconveniencing crew, or requiring sampling via engine room pumps. The sampling procedure will be standardised to ensure its easy adoption by other parties and to ensure sampling consistency. An independent technician or scientist will be engaged to evaluate the sampling procedure with the view to submitting the methodology for publication, eg. to Ocean and Coastal Management.

5.2

Objective Title:Collection and analysis of ballast water samples

Research Leader: Mr L McKenzie/Mr S Handley

Institution:Cawthron Institute

Representative samples of ballast water from ships arriving in Nelson and Lyttleton are collected and couriered to Nelson. Parameters measured include turbidity, salinity, counts of organisms and organic material. A data base will be established recording details of the vessels and tanks sampled, their purported management practices, and results of the analyses.

5.3

Objective Title:Risk assessment

Research Leader: Dr C Hay

Institution:Cawthron Institute

A preliminary analysis of the risks posed by the organisms recorded in the ballast water samples will be based mainly on the incidence of these species in the samples, the estimates of the efficacy of purported mid-ocean exchanges; of the likelihood of such species colonising New Zealand waters, and of their possible ecological impact.

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