Notice to Shipping for recommendations and actions
The Gard P&IClub has recently been informed of increased detection of Asian Gypsy Moths (AGM) in the US and Canada on board visiting ships.
The Asian gypsy moth is an invasive insect and is considered a significant threat to North America’s forests, biodiversity and economy. The high risk periods are determined by the AGM’s “flight season” – when females will be laying eggs.
The below recommendations and actions are set out in the Notice to Shipping issued by the US and Canadian authorities.
Recommendations and actions
- Vessels must obtain pre-departure certification and forward a copy of the certification that the vessel is free of Asian Gypsy Moth life stages to their US or Canadian agents. The inspections should be performed as close to departure time from the regulated port as possible.
- Shipping lines to perform intensive vessel self-inspections to look for, remove (scrape off), and properly destroy all egg masses and other life stages of AGM prior to entering US and Canadian ports to avoid facing inspection delays, re-routing and other potential impacts associated with mitigating the risk on entry to North America. All vessels should, five days prior to the vessel’s arrival at its first US or Canadian port, perform their own comprehensive self-inspection according to the GYPSY MOTH INSPECTION POCKET GUIDE and confirm to the agents whether their vessel is free of any infestation. Additional images of recent detections are also available and can be downloaded below.
- At least two days prior to the vessel’s arrival to forward to agent a copy of the vessel’s voyage memo so agents may provide to the local US and Canadian inspectors an opportunity to review the vessel’s history of ports and dates.
To find more details, click at the source below
Source: Gard P&I Club
