Improving target species selection criteria

Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC) has entered into force in September 2017, requiring all ships in international traffic to manage their ballast water and sediments to a certain standard. BWMC Regulation A-4 gives Contracting Parties the right to grant exemptions from ballast water treatment. An exemption cannot be granted if there is a risk for the species, which is on Target Species (TS) list, to be spread by ballast water.

According to the IMO (2007) definition, Target Species are those identified by a Party that meet specific criteria indicating that they may impair or damage the environment, human health, property or resources and are defined for a specific port, State or biogeographic region. The TS lists are needed for taking decision whether ballast water management exemption can be granted on ship voyages between selected ports or within a particular marine area.

COMPLETE will result in recommendation for an improved and up-to-date risk assessment for BWMC A-4 exemptions, fully reflecting the Baltic Sea specifics (salinity gradient, differences in climatic conditions etc.). Using the existing Target Species list, which was prepared in the framework of HELCOM-OSPAR Joint Harmonized Procedure for BWMC A-4 exemptions, COMPLETE will review and update selection criteria based on international expertise and local knowledge supported by the integrated Baltic Sea non-indigenous species (NIS) monitoring programme.