Ballast Water 
The Scottish Government Marine Directorate has policy responsibilities for the introduction of non-native species in ballast water, and is currently working with Fisheries Research Services - Marine Laboratory (FRS-ML), Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and other national organisations in devising UK policy on ballast water management in line with (IMO) International Maritime Organisations regulations.
Current IMO guidelines on ballast water introductions have focused on preventative methods, with exchange of ballast in mid oceanic water being the only recommended method presently available to reduce the level of non-native species introductions. However, IMO are presently working towards a conference in early 2004 with the intention of drafting an ' International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water and Sediments'. The Scottish Government is working alongside its partners to contribute to this conference by reviewing potential ballast water treatment and management methods.
A variety of treatment and management methods are currently under development in the UK, and include the use of filtration, ultra-violet, heat and ultrasound treatments as a means of reducing non-native introductions. As of yet, these options are some way off being ready to apply on a large-scale; therefore it is likely that future policy will focus on ballast water standards that management or treatment methods will have to achieve.
Further information on species introductions in ballast water can be found at the following links: MARTOB, IMO, OSPAR and FRS - ML.
Photograph kindly provided by John Dunn, FRS Marine Laboratory.
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