Theme III - Protecting Nature

From: Transport Canada

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Goal 6 - Ecosystem / Habitat Conservation and Protection
Target 6.4 - Managing Threats to Ecosystems

IS 6.4.8

 

 


 

IS 6.4.8

FSDS Theme III – Protecting Nature
Goal 6 – Ecosystem / Habitat Conservation and Protection: Productive and resilient ecosystems with the capacity to recover and adapt are maintained; and areas are protected in ways that leave them unimpaired for present and future generations
Target 6.4 – Managing Threats to Ecosystems: Threats of new alien invasive species entering Canada are understood and reduced by 2015

IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
Implement Ballast Water Control and Management Regulations to prevent invasive species from ships' ballast water. This includes cooperating with the United States Coast Guard and Seaway Authorities to inspect vessels entering the Seaway and Great Lakes to ensure compliance. (TC)

PART 1: Linkage to the departmental PAA

2.2 Clean Water from Transportation

PART 2: A brief description of the implementation strategy

Transport Canada receives reports from vessels and carries out inspections of vessels arriving at Canadian ports to confirm compliance. For vessels entering the shared waters of the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes, Transport Canada coordinates a joint Canada–United States inspection program with the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, the United States Coast Guard, and the US Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. This joint program ensures 100% of vessels originating from foreign ports are inspected to verify compliance prior to entering the Seaway.

In the event non–compliance is found, the vessel is required to take corrective action before entering the Great Lakes.

Ballast water management requirements for ships entering the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System are the most stringent in the world. Transport Canada and U.S. Coast Guard regulations require all ships destined for Great Lakes ports from beyond the exclusive economic zone to exchange their ballast at sea. If the ships have not complied, they are required to retain the ballast water on board, pump the ballast water ashore, treat the ballast water in an environmentally sound manner, or return to sea to conduct a ballast water exchange.

This implementation strategy is linked to 3.8.3 and 3.8.5.

PART 3: An explanation of the relationship between that implementation strategy and one or more FSDS targets

This measure supports the reduction of invasive species entering Canadian waters, contributing to Federal Sustainable Development Strategy Goal 6.4 – Managing Threats to Ecosystems.

PART 4: An outline of the non–financial performance expectations

Performance Indicators

Targets

Results Achieved

2011–2012

Percentage of vessels in compliance with Ballast Water Control and Management Regulations reporting rules

95% by 2017

 

2012–2013

Percentage of vessels in compliance with Ballast Water Control and Management Regulations reporting rules

95% by 2017

 

2013–2014

Percentage of vessels in compliance with Ballast Water Control and Management Regulations reporting rules

95% by 2017

 

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