Invasive species in ballast water

The St. Lawrence Seaway opened the Great Lakes to direct ocean-going shipping. Unfortunately, ships brought invasive species along for the ride in their ballast water.

Learn more below about regulations to clean up ship ballast tanks and why it’s critical to plug loopholes that remain for “lakers,” ships operating solely in the Great Lakes.

Diving Deep for Solutions

August 16, 2023

An Ounce of Prevention: Keeping New Invasive Species Out of the Great Lakes

For our Diving Deep for Solutions series, we commissioned author and journalist Kari Lydersen to examine big issues facing the lakes today and how our expert team at the Alliance […]

Podcast

March 22, 2022

Molly Flanagan Invasive Species

Molly Flanagan joined the Alliance for the Great Lakes staff in April 2015 as Vice President for Policy after seven years as senior program officer at the Joyce Foundation. Molly […]

Press Release

June 23, 2021

Alliance Applauds New Canadian Ballast Water Regulations

Chicago, IL (June 23, 2021) – Earlier today, the Canadian government released new rules on the regulation of ship ballast water. In response, Alliance for the Great Lakes Chief Operating […]

BLOG

February 10, 2020

Alliance Releases 2020 Great Lakes Federal Policy Priorities

Today, the Alliance for the Great Lakes announced our 2020 Great Lakes Federal Policy Priorities. With the support of Congress, the Great Lakes region has made significant progress to protect […]

press release

November 28, 2018

House passes Coast Guard bill containing new ballast rules

Chicago, IL (November 28, 2018) – Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the U.S. Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2017, which includes the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA). […]

Press Release

November 14, 2018

Great Lakers Applaud Senate Action to Improve Bill on Aquatic Invasive Species

Chicago, IL (November 14, 2018) – Today the U.S. Senate passed legislation which changes how ballast water discharges from ships – the most common pathway for invasive species to enter […]

Press Release

May 31, 2018

Great Lakes Need Protection from Ocean and Freshwater Ships

Chicago, IL (May 31, 2018) –  A new report released today by the Great Waters Research Collaborative has found that lakers — ships that transit solely within Great Lakes waterways […]

Press Statement

April 18, 2018

Statement: U.S. Senate votes to block bill rolling back Great Lakes protections

Chicago, IL (4/18/18) – Earlier today, the U.S. Senate blocked the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2017 from moving forward because it contained a poison pill for our nation’s waterways. […]

Press Release

April 12, 2018

Senate Scheduled to Vote Next Week on Legislation to Weaken Rules Protecting the Great Lakes from Aquatic Invasive Species Introductions

Joint Media Statement from: Alliance for the Great Lakes • Citizens Campaign for the Environment • Clean Wisconsin • Michigan League of Conservation Voters • Minnesota Environmental Partnership • National Wildlife Federation • […]

Press Release

March 29, 2018

Seaway Opens for 2018 Shipping Season, Risk of Aquatic Invasive Species Introductions Continues

Chicago, IL (March 29, 2018) – Today marks the start of the 60th shipping season on the St. Lawrence Seaway as the locks on the Welland Canal and in Massena, […]