Understanding Ballast Water: AIS From Across the Pond

Video From “Managing Great Lakes Invaders” Series Clarifies Cargo Ships and AIS Relationship

When asked about aquatic invasive species, many people around the Great Lakes almost immediately think of cargo ships. Historically, cargo ships were a way that many non-native species reached the Great Lakes. But within the past 20 years, fewer invasive species are hitchhiking on these ships into the Great Lakes. Understanding the history of how some aquatic invasive species reached the shores of Wisconsin is vital to planning a future to reduce the risk that more species could use the same pathway to reach our waters.

A new video series was developed by the Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System (GLANSIS) and Michigan Sea Grant. The video series paints the picture for how some invasive species reached the Great Lakes while highlighting management victories and ongoing research. One of the videos focuses on Ballast Water and does a tremendous job showcasing how ballast water is used by ships and how some creatures were able to use the system to reach the Great Lakes. You may be surprised to see how this pathway for invasive species is being closed and that cargo ships are not the way most invasive species are reaching our lakes today.

You can watch the Ballast Water video below and be sure to check out the rest of the video series by visiting the playlist on Youtube.

Original story published by Michigan Sea Grant’s El Lower and Rochelle Sturtevant