One of Centre’s projects focuses on invasive alien species, which can cause both ecological and financial damage. There are no means to stop their spreading once they are initially introduced.
The COMPLETE project addresses the major pathways of introductions via ships: ballast water and biofouling. The IMO Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC) constitutes a significant step towards better invasive alien species management. Yet, for ensuring that the BWMC exemptions are based on risk assessments and granted in a constant manner, the selection of target species as well as species mapping and identification in ports requires scientific knowledge.
The control of biofouling is currently carried out voluntarily. Hull cleaning enables potential for substantial fuel savings, but in-water cleaning may release harmful substances or introduced species into the water. Also, the regulations and practices vary across, which increases the risk of introduced species spreading into the port where the cleaning takes place.
In COMPLETE, 35 organizations from all Baltic Sea states are co-operating to develop consistent and adaptive management strategies to reduce risk of invasive species introductions.
COMPLETE – Completing management options in the Baltic Sea Region to reduce risk of invasive species introduction by shipping
Project funding:
The Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme 2014–2020
Project implementation time: 01/10/2017 – 30/09/2020
More information:
www.baltic-complete.com
www.merikotka.fi
