Entry to a ballast tank in a ship's cargo hold.(Photo courtesy of the Great Lakes NOBOB Team)
New research supports the practice of “swish and spit” for ocean-going ships. As Mark
Brush reports – the practice of rinsing ballast tanks with ocean salt water will help stop
aquatic pests from getting into US harbors:
Transcript
New research supports the practice of “swish and spit” for ocean-going ships. As Mark
Brush reports – the practice of rinsing ballast tanks with ocean salt water will help stop
aquatic pests from getting into US harbors:
Aquatic invasive species cause billions of dollars in damage every year. Many hitchhike
here from foreign ports in the ballast tanks of cargo ships. And even when ships declare that
they have no ballast on board – the ballast tanks still have muck in the bottom where
invasive species hide.
David Reid is with the Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab. He says their research supports the idea that all ships should rinse out the tanks during their journey across the ocean:
“That’s why we call it swish and spit. From the point of view of the ballast tank, it’s
very similar to doing a mouthwash. You’re taking in a little bit of fluid, sloshing it around, and spitting it – or in this case pumping it out.”
Reid says the practice doesn’t get rid of every creature lurking in ballast tanks, but it’s
better than doing nothing at all. Right now, the US does not require swish and spit for
ships that declare no ballast on board.
For the Environment Report, I’m Mark Brush.