Ranking of Danish harbours according to shipping activities and to the potential of natural dispersal of non-indigenous species (39672)

A better understanding on how NIS (non-indegioneous species) may disperse along Danish coastal areas and between ports, including the identification of the most likely hotspots for introduction and spread, will provide a basis for future risk assessment and decision-making.

This is the case, specifically in relation to the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC). Here the national authorities are responsible for any granting of exemptions to the de facto requirement of the BWMC to ship-owners that operate between Danish and foreign ports to treat the ballast water before discharging into the ambient environment (as outlined in the A4 and Guideline 7 of the BWMC).

The primary introduction typically occurs at the so-called "hot spots" (ports), where introductions of NIS occur as a result of shipping activities either via the uptake and discharge of ballast water or via the ship hulls as fouling agents. If NIS are introduced in a specific port, the specific location of the port is important in relation to any secondary spread of the NIS to other sites. This secondary spread may take place by additional shipping activities connecting to other ports or by natural dispersal.

Partners
National Institute of Aquatic Resources, DTU Aqua (coordinator)
Danish Environmental Protection Agency, Denmark
Maritime Authority of Denmark
Danish Ferries & Danish Shipping, Denmark
Litehauz Aps, Denmark  

Funding
The project is funded by Danish Maritime Fund for Danish Environmental Protection Agency. 
Research area: Oceanography