90 



regulations, the United States closely followed the IMO 

 guidelines. 



Since 1991, the issue has taken on additional importance within 

 IMO. A working group, of which the United States is a member, is 

 currently looking at ballast water management as a possible new 

 annex to the MARPOL convention. Additionally, the Coast Guard is 

 working with other Federal agencies and their counterparts in 

 other nations to develop an international symposium to be held on 

 the issue of aquatic nuisance species introduction. 



NATIONAL EFFORTS BEYOND THE GREAT LAKES AND HUDSON RIVER 



While the Coast Guard only has ballast water enforcement 

 authority over vessels entering the Great Lakes, it has been 

 actively involved in nationwide efforts to reduce the 

 introduction of aquatic nuisance species and pathogens. In July 

 1991, cholera was discovered in shellfish in Mobile Bay, Alabama. 

 Ballast water was identified as a possible pathway for 

 introduction of this bacteria and a sampling program was 

 initiated by the Food and Drug Administration. The Coast Guard 

 facilitated the boarding of ships by FDA inspectors in 10 U.S. 

 ports to check ballast water for the cholera strain. Two ships, 

 whose last port of call was in South America, were identified as 

 carrying the strain, and were not allowed to discharge ballast. 

 Additionally, the Coast Guard, through the Department of State, 

 notified the next port of call for these vessels so the 



