Little known fact

[Wansworth]

Whilst reading the new statesmen in the dentist I came across an interesting little fact that the water ballast that big ships pump into their tanks ha been the cause of some strange water beasties being transhipped to an entirely new hemisphere and flourishing to the detriment of local species.Apparently there is some control over this problem but it doesn't work too well

 

[James_Calvert]

I thought that had been going on for years...

How old was the New Statesman - this century's or last!

 

[Wansworth]

I thought that had been going on for years...

How old was the New Statesman - this century's or last!

.....It was the new Scientist.....a few months old.

 

[sailorman]

Pipe weed anyone

http://www.imo.org/OurWork/Environment/BallastWaterManagement/Pages/Default.aspx

 

[Seven Spades]

I thought this was a widely known fact actually.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

It's hardly news - been known for decades, and there are poorly enforced regulations on ballast water discharge to control the spread of organisms like zebra mussels.

 

[prv]

I thought this was a widely known fact actually.

+1

There was some misguided student on here a couple of years ago who was trying to advocate disinfectant basins etc for yachts' hulls on a similar principle. Because obviously the transfer of a few barnacles from Portsmouth to Poole is a huge problem.

Pete

 

[Tranona]

+1

There was some misguided student on here a couple of years ago who was trying to advocate disinfectant basins etc for yachts' hulls on a similar principle. Because obviously the transfer of a few barnacles from Portsmouth to Poole is a huge problem.

Pete

You may jest but it is a serious problem in Australia and New Zealand with yachts arriving from the Pacific. It is a requirement to have the bottom cleaned on arrival. Potentially a problem in the UK with yachts coming from Europe. The "research " was trying to find out whether yachtsmen see it as a problem.

Seemingly they don't, but still worth asking.

 

[mm42]

This week a system to pasteurise ballast water has been announced, https://www.crewtoo.com/maritime-news/ballast-water-to-be-pasteurised/

 

[terry.mcneill]

IIRC that's exactly how the burrowing Chinese Mitten Crabs got into the Thames.

 

[oldharry]

There's no doubt that was how jap weed got into the Solent, and now spreading up and down the coast. Its a highly invasive species, killing any other plant life where it establishes. Back in the mid 70's we were being asked to report any sighting in the E Solent. There were long debates on how to try and kill it off... but its well established now. Imported on/in ships from the far east.

There are several other species now invading UK waters including the Killer shrimp. No, seriously! Dont laugh. It is a serious enviro problem - almost as bad as the lack of seahorses in Studland this year...


And yes I had a real problem keeping a straight face.

 

[caiman]

Introdudtion of non indiginous species is a very real and growing threat/problem in this country.Google 'Walter Spiers/ Loch Etive mussel farm' for an illustration.Expect to hear more about this subject,and increasing measures to combat it.
Cheers

 

[aslabend]

Does Ukip know about this?
Flaming foreign seaweed coming over here, taking our native seaweed's jobs and using good old British water to live in.
American crayfish, Chinese crabs the worlds gone to hell in a handcart.