Aquaculture biosecurity challenges in the light of the ballast water management convention

Abstract

Shipping plays a crucial role in supporting global trade, including the transport of products from the aquaculture industry. However, ships may also unintentionally transport invasive species and pathogens in their ballast water which pose biosecurity risks for aquaculture. The Ballast Water Management Convention was developed to manage the biosecurity risks posed by ballast water and has entered into force in September 2017. The management measures and technologies arising from the convention provide some solutions and opportunities for the aquaculture industry. Among these is the potential transfer of treatment technologies between shipping and aquaculture in order to deal with bio-invasion and biosecurity. However, there are residual weaknesses in the regulatory regimes for ballast water management which may reveal a continuous risk from shipping to the aquaculture industry. Gaps include knowledge and management of other aquatic bacteria or viruses that could cause outbreaks in the aquaculture industry and threaten food security and human health. Solutions include focused risk assessments for aquaculture and regional collaboration.