GENERAL INFORMATION
Most of the
data on non-indigenous species (NIS) is obtained through
biological monitoring programs. These
programs cover biological parameters and concern mobile and sessile species,
water column and seabed habitats. NIS monitoring addresses all ecosystem
components as NIS may belong to any trophic levels and affect the functioning
of the system.
According to the BWM Convention, ships will be required to
implement the ballast water management unless an exemption has been granted
following a risk assessment to assess whether a ship is on a voyage posing a
high or low risk of spreading alien species. The results of previous HELCOM
projects revealed the crucial need for data on alien species and environmental
conditions in ports, which is a pre-requisite for carrying out reliable risk
assessments. In order to fill in those gaps, a second project on alien species
(HELCOM ALIENS 2) was launched. It concluded in December 2012 providing a
proposal for a regionally harmonized method for granting exemptions from BW
treatment for marine traffic in the Baltic Sea.
The HELCOM core indicator 'Trends in arrival of new non-indigenous species' is linked to the monitoring undertaken in the sub-programme.
Responsible HELCOM subsidiary bodies
State and Conservation
Contact information: HELCOM Secretariat
