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Aquatic Nuisance Species
» Defining the Problem
 Top Ten Aquatic Nuisance Species Suspects (PDF 130KB)
In simple terms, Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) are aquatic (i.e. ruffe, sea lamprey, goby, zebra mussel) and terrestrial organisms (i.e. brown tree snake, nutria), and plant species (i.e. purple loosestrife, melaluca) that have been introduced into new ecosystems (i.e. Great Lakes, San Francisco Bay, Florida, Hawaii) throughout the United States and the world and are having harmful impacts on the natural resources in these ecosystems and the human use of these resources.
The current accepted practice is for ocean going vessels to exchange their ballast water with open ocean water prior to returing to port. While the exchange often leads to lower populations of aquatic nuisance species than before the exchange, it can be dangerous, time consuming, and for some species, not effective at all.
The article found by clicking below describes the reservations the IMO has on ballast water exchange that lead to the conclusion, "Ballast Water Exchange should be regarded as an interim measure only and that the aim is to produce safe and more effective alternative ballast water treatment options that will replace Ballast Water Exchange".
How Effective is Ballast Exchange? (PDF 650KB)
Nutech O3, Inc.'s efforts are concentrated on controlling and eventually eliminating the introduction and spread of the Aquatic Nuisance Species.
Aquatic Nuisance Species and Nutech O3, Inc's approach to solving the ANS Problem (PDF 1.2MB)
"Zap the Zoops" - a presentation about the Aquatic Nuisance Species problem (PDF 2.3MB)
» More Information
The following links provide additional information about ANS:
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