What is the main goal of ballast water exchange measures?

The main goal of ballast water exchange measures is to control invasive species. Ballast water, which ships take on to provide stability and balance, often contains a variety of aquatic organisms, including potential invasive species. When ships travel from one location to another, they may carry these organisms into new environments where they can disrupt local ecosystems, harm native species, and cause significant economic impacts.

By performing ballast water exchange, ships can replace their ballast water taken on in one area with water from a different, often open ocean, area. This typically reduces the likelihood of introducing non-native species into a new environment because the organisms present in the exchanged water are more likely to be from the open sea, rather than from coastal or harbor areas. Therefore, controlling the spread of invasive species protects marine biodiversity and helps maintain ecosystem health.

Other options, while they may relate to aspects of vessel operation and environmental impacts, do not directly address the specific purpose of ballast water exchange measures as effectively as controlling invasive species does.