Methods of reducing environmental risks of invasive alien species transferred through ships’ ballast water in the Mediterranean Sea were discussed recently during a Safe Med II Project training course.

Although ballast water enhances the safety and efficiency of ship-ping operations, when not prop-erly managed, this widespreadmaritime practice leads to risks of displacing marine species all over the world. This practice poses serious ecological, economic and health problems.

The Ballast Water Management Convention, ratified by 28 countries and widely expected to enter into force during the next two years, offers a set of international measures for minimising the translocation of marine species through ballast water.

Safe Med Project coordinator Jonathan Pace said: “Preventing the transfer of marine species is a global responsibility, requir-ing a coordinated effort from governments’ administrations the world over. This training course sought to deliver project beneficiaries with a common set of knowledge and skills for a moreuniform implementation of the BWM Convention across the Mediterranean region.”

Officials from 12 Safe Med beneficiaries, namely Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Montenegro, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Tunisia, and Turkey, attended the course.

The Safe Med II Project is a €5.5 million EU-financed regional effort to enhance Euro-Mediterranean co-operation in the field of maritime safety and security, prevention of pollution from ships and marine environmental issues.

Its objective is to provide beneficiaries with the technical adviceand support required to ensure more uniform and effectiveimplementation of international maritime conventions and rules, thereby reducing accidents and pollution at sea throughout the Mediterranean region.