The California State Lands Commission (SLC) has published its 2017 Biennial Report on its marine invasive species program, discussing both ballast water and biofouling.
Specificaly the California Marine Invasive Species Program (MISP) is a multi-agency program designed to prevent the introduction of nonindigenous species into State waters from vessels 300 gross registered tons and above that are capable of carrying ballast water.
The MISP was established by the Ballast Water Management for Control of Nonindigenous Species Act of 1999 and reauthorized and expanded by the Marine Invasive Species Act (MISA) of 2003. The purpose of the MISP is to move the state expeditiously towards elimination of the discharge of nonindigenous species into California waters.
The California State Lands Commission (Commission), charged with MISP oversight and administration, takes a multi-faceted approach to advancing program goals, including:
- Developing sound, science-based policies in consultation with technical experts and stakeholders
- Tracking and analyzing ballast water and vessel biofouling management practices of the California commercial vessel fleet
- Enforcing laws and regulations to prevent introductions of nonindigenous species
- Conducting and facilitating outreach to promote information exchange among scientists, regulators, the shipping industry, and other stakeholders.
This eighth biennial report to the California Legislature summarizes MISP activities from July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2016.
Further details may be found in the report herebelow
Source: SLC California
