SAFE SHIPS SAFE PORTS Ballast water regulations and compliance in Australia 19 September 2017 Animal Biosecurity Septermber 2017
Ballast Water Convention IN FORCE 8 SEPT 2017
Australian Regulations IN FORCE 8 SEPT 2017
What s Not Changing? International ballast water must be managed in accordance with Australian requirements before discharge in Australian seas (since 2001) Pre-arrival report must be submitted by international arrivals detailing ballast water management Ballast water records must be kept International arrivals, one stop only, practically no change Marine Pest Unit 26 September, 2017 4
What IS Changing NOW! Nationally consistent ballast water regulations all international and domestic sourced ballast water must be managed Ballast Water Convention is in force DAWR is responsible agency Port State Control obligations (AMSA/DAWR) Domestic ballast water must be managed Australia-wide Marine Pest Unit 19 September 2017 5
Ballast Water Convention Changes For Industry Ballast water must meet new discharge standards (D1 or D2) prior to discharge Phase out of BW Exchange (D-1) over 7 years Acceptable areas for exchange Ballast water management plans and certificates Recreational >400GT and Sealed Tanks Exempt Ballast water records must be kept 5 yrs Australian Ballast Water Management Requirements (Version 7) - www.agriculture.gov.au/abwmr Marine Pest Unit 26 September, 2017 6
Ballast Water Management Options Must manage ballast water Ballast Water Exchange consistent with the Convention (D-1) Ballast Water Treatment using an IMO Type Approved System (D-2) Discharge to a ballast water reception facility (D-4) OR Meet one of the following exceptions Carry low risk ballast water (take up on high seas, potable) Take up and discharge in the same place Obtain a Risk-based exemption Retain on-board (retention, tank-to-tank transfer)
Convention Implementation Schedule (Regulation B-3) Ballast water exchange remains an option for existing ships until the 1 st IOPP renewal after September 2019 Marine Pest Unit 19 September 2017 8
Ballast Water Exchange - Changes Convention phase out schedule by 8 Sept 2024 Acceptable areas for exchange 200nm,200m 50nm,200m 12nm,50m Ningaloo Reef 20nm,50m Nearest land = outer edge of GBR and part of Torres Strait Marine Pest Unit 26 September, 2017 9
Same Risk Areas & GBRMP Uptake and discharge within designated area DO NOT need to exchange (but still use BWMS) Ballast water taken up outside same risk area MUST be managed Spencer Gulf & Gulf St Vincent (SA) Port Phillip Bay (VIC) Marine Pest Unit 26 September, 2017 10
New Risk Based Exemptions Australian port to Australian port Quick check website Apply through MARS Port surveillance project molecular techniques Low Risk = do not need to manage ballast water for that voyage High Risk = must manage ballast water for that voyage Marine Pest Unit 26 September, 2017 11
COMPLIANCE Routine Biosecurity Inspections New domestic ballast water inspections Initial Joint inspections with AMSA for Port State Control Four-stage inspection process Initial inspection More detailed inspection Sampling Detailed analysis Detailed analysis Sampling More detailed
COMPLIANCE Educational stance over the next 3 months Time for survey and certification Experience building phase The trial period would be for two years following entry into force. Designed to encourage sampling cooperation. Agreement not to pursue criminal sanctions based on only sampling.
Communicating Change Updated Requirements Version 7 Fact Sheets International Domestic Exemptions Meetings Australia wide Internal and external training www.agriculture.gov.au/ballast Marine Pest Unit 19 September 2017 14
Questions? Contact details Exemptions, plans/certs/phase out requirements, issuance of documents - pestsmarine@agriculture.gov.au Interpretation of requirements, assessing if ships meet the requirements National Ballast Water Advisor seaports@agriculture.gov.au www.agriculture.gov.au/ballast Marine Pest Unit 26 September, 2017 15