Regulation: IMO Resolution A-868(20), 1997, Voluntary ballast
exchange
This resolution stresses a voluntary ballast water exchange for
all ships last traveling from international ports. Under the
assumption that all international traveling ships exchanged their
ballast water in the open ocean before arriving in port, the
likelihood of any mitten crab larvae surviving in these higher
salinity waters is not probable. However, this international
regulation does not take into account ships traveling to various
ports within a nation, where waters may already be infested with the
mitten crab.
created 5/4/98