I'll talk about ballast water regulations. The largest source of aquatic invasive species and pathogens entering the Great Lakes is through ballast water out of ocean-going vessels. It was recognized over a decade ago that ballast water exchanged with salt water offshore was not effective in killing aquatic invasive species. The International Marine Organization developed water quality standards for ballast water and promoted a whole new industry to have companies develop ballast water treatment technology for ocean-going vessels.
Last month, the U.S. Coast Guard issued new ballast water regulations which conformed with those sanctioned by the U.S. EPA and the IMO that will take effect this June. As of 2014, any new vessel entering the Great Lakes or any vessel that has had a dry dock since 2014 will be required to have approved ballast water treatment technology on board. The U.S. Coast Guard will determine by 2016 whether there is a need for stronger ballast water standards and wheether there is technology available that could deal with it. Transport Canada has made no comment about adopting the U.S. standards.
It is our recommendation that DFO should work with Transport Canada to bring in new ballast water regulations that align with those of the U.S. This will alleviate concerns that Canada will retain less stringent standards in order to increase the volume of trade through its ports at the expense of the environment.
That concludes our presentation.