Nordic Collaboration on Ballast Water

Opening remarks to the Nordic Ballast Water Summit,
Det Norske Veritas, Høvik, 28th January 2002
by Børge Brende, Minister of the Environment, Norway

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning -- and thank you for inviting me to address this Nordic Ballast Water Summit. We greatly appreciate the initiative of Det Norske Veritas and the support of the Nordic Council of Ministers to arrange this important workshop.

It is generally accepted that the largest threats to biological diversity are habitat destruction and the introduction of alien invasive species. In the marine environment, intake and release of ballast water by shipping is the most important vector for the introduction of such species.

The convening of this Nordic Ballast Water Summit is evidence of increasing international alarm over this grave threat to marine biological diversity. Once these alien species are established, they are practically impossible to get rid of. The wider ecological and economic effects of such introductions are often devastating. There is an urgent need for regulatory measures to prevent further introductions by ballast water.

The risk posed is particularly great in international and intercontinental transport. The problem must be addressed at the international and regional level, and collaboration with the shipping industry is equally important. An international convention on the intake, release and treatment of ballast water is now in preparation through the United Nations International Maritime Organisation (the IMO). Norway actively supports and contributes in these preparations, which we hope will be completed with the agreement of the convention in 2003. We urge other states to do the same.

In our experience, it takes several years before any convention will be ratified, enforced and implemented by all signatory nations. Meanwhile, the acute risk of new introductions through ballast water continues, with all the potential for ecological and economic damage. In accordance with my aims to strengthen Norway’s national marine environmental policy, which I shall come back to later -- I aim to implement national measures against the ballast water threat as soon as possible, in accordance with the existing guidelines from the IMO. The next goal will then be implementation of the strictest possible regulations under the new convention.

However, national measures will in many situations unlikely be fully effective without regional collaboration. In the North Sea region, such collaboration will be much more successful than unilateral action - both due to the natural spreading of organisms through ocean currents and the competition between the harbours in the region. Norway has taken the initiative in the Committee of North Sea Senior Officials, proposing joint short- and long-term measures to reduce introductions of alien species via ballast water. The proposals are to be discussed at the fifth North Sea Conference to be arranged by Norway in March.

I strongly believe that the North Sea states should take immediate steps to reduce the problem of introductions through ballast water. As soon as the IMO convention is agreed, the North Sea States should jointly take further action to establish a full set of measures such as stricter regulations for the region. It is my opinion that the North Sea States should decide upon a full set of national and/or regional measures by end of 2004 at last.

The North Sea States should also enhance and support research and development to identify effective measures for reducing the threat of introductions through ballast water. National monitoring programmes for early detection of marine introductions should be established, together with systems for information exchange and early warning among the North Sea states.

Ballast water and ballast water sediments are not the only vectors for introductions of marine alien species. We must also consider additional measures to control introductions via ship hulls, trade with living organisms, illegal release into the environment, sea ranching and aquaculture, for example.

As we all know, there are many threats to the marine environment that are subject to international agreements. A notable example is long-range transboundary air pollution spreading environmental toxicants to the marine food web in the Arctic. However, it is also important to remember that the main responsibility for implementing international agreements and the necessary measures is national. National policies should be formulated in such a way that all sectors concerned take responsibility and implement measures within own areas.

The pressure on our coastal and sea areas is increasing. Some of the threats, such as environmental toxicants and radioactive substances spread by ocean currents, may originate in other countries and regions. As you probably all know, the Nordic environment ministers have issued several joint protests to the British authorities against the continuing releases of radioactive substances from Sellafield. Efforts to stop this unacceptable pollution of our seas will continue to be a top priority for me. However, Norway itself is responsible for such threats as for example emissions from oil and gas production, and the impact on the environment of our fish farming industry. There is need for a stronger and more integrated national marine environmental policy aimed at protecting the marine environment and marine ecosystems.

This spring I intend to present a governmental White Paper to the Norwegian Storting (parliament) outlining such an improved marine environmental policy. The policy will be aimed at protecting the environmental quality of our marine areas and their rich biological diversity and production. The different sector interests shall be balanced within the framework of a sustainable use and development. This should clearly also be in the interest of the industries based upon utilisation of the marine ecosystems and marine and coastal areas.

The northern Norwegian coastline and the Barents Sea are especially vulnerable. The Norwegian government has stated that a unified management plan for the Barents Sea shall be made, which takes account of the increasingly competing interests: environment, fisheries, oil and gas exploration, sea transport and so on. The government has also concluded that no-go areas for the petroleum sector shall be considered to protect the fisheries of northern Norway and the Barents Sea. The Barents Sea itself is not to be opened for petroleum activities until a thorough environmental impact assessment has been carried out. Following up of these statements will be an important part of the White Paper.

Our vision is a clean and bountiful ocean, where industries based on sustainable use of marine resources is a mainstay of the Norwegian economy. The aim is to apply an ecosystem-based approach to obtain a unified management of our marine environment. More knowledge of marine ecosystems and the perils they face is obviously needed. However, the implementation of an ecosystem-based approach and a strengthened protection of our marine resources, based on existing knowledge, can and shall be initiated immediately.

I am especially proud that the Nordic countries have become one of the first regions in the world to establish a joint platform for sustainable development. The Nordic strategy focuses on five cross-sector areas: climate change; biological diversity, genetic resources and the natural and cultural environments; marine environment; chemicals; and food safety. As you all know, Norway holds the chairmanship of the Nordic Council of Ministers this year. I am looking forward to play my part in pursuing Nordic environmental collaboration and following-up the strategy for sustainable development, which will be one of our highest priorities. Norway especially intends to increase the focus on how Nordic collaboration and joint initiatives can gain results concerning marine and coastal environment issues. This ballast water summit is an excellent start.

I wish you the very best of luck with this important Summit.