In 1988, the IJC and the GLFC wrote to the Governments expressing their concerns regarding the introduction of alien invasive species from ships entering the waters of the Great Lakes basin, and urged the Governments to take action to prevent these introductions.  The Commissions were gratified by the Governments’ initial response -- Canada's introduction of voluntary ballast management guidelines in 1989, followed by the U.S. legislation in 1990 mandating ballast water exchange for ships entering the Great Lakes.

  In 1990, the Commissions jointly recommended ballast water exchange to prevent the further introduction of alien invasive species to the Great Lakes. Regrettably, these measures have not been fully effective. Results of research sponsored by the Canadian Coast Guard in the early 1990s showed that ballast water exchange alone is not sufficient to prevent ship-mediated introductions of alien invasive species harmful to the biodiversity and the ecological and economic integrity of the Great Lakes.  These research findings were later confirmed by the establishment of two additional invasive species and the capture of other invasive species which together signify the inadequacy of current ballast management programs to prevent alien invasive species introduction and spread. In a recent report to the IJC, its Water Quality Board noted that alien invasive species introductions continue to impact the economies of the Great Lakes region -- totaling hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

Canada and the U.S. have invested heavily in rehabilitating the Great Lakes -- a vital, shared natural resource that must be protected. Unfortunately, investments made to date are at risk of being undermined by introductions of alien invasive species. Through their actions, Governments have controlled sea lamprey, reduced phosphorus loading, and prevented over-harvesting of fish stocks. As a result, the rehabilitation of native species throughout the Great Lakes ecosystem should be at hand. However, with the ongoing introduction of alien invasive species to the Great Lakes basin, fish production in some lakes is drastically reduced, and other native species and populations are at risk. Without effective management of ballast water discharge, an additional 17 alien invasive species have the potential to invade the Great Lakes, further diminishing our opportunities for rehabilitating native populations. 

In its 10th Biennial Report (2000) to the Governments of the U.S. and Canada, the IJC reported on progress in implementing the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The IJC again recommended the establishment of bi-national ballast water standards and the coordination of research programs by the federal Governments. More recently, its Water Quality Board called for the IJC to urge Governments to immediately develop and implement measures in support of bi-national standards. In addition, the pending re-authorization of the U.S. National Invasive Species Act is a clear opportunity to provide funding towards implementing existing research strategies aimed at developing such standards. Moreover, last year the GLFC requested that the Governments develop and implement a coordinated, adaptive 10-year strategy to end ship-mediated introductions of alien invasive species.

The IJC and the GLFC have consulted all levels of Government as well as the public, academics, industry, and environmental groups throughout the Great Lakes basin. The Commissions have noted a growing sense of frustration within the Great Lakes community. A clear consensus has emerged -- the ballast water discharge issue must be addressed now. Equally important, the Commissions have noted that the absence of coordinated binational action at the federal level to stop the introduction of alien invasive species has caused, and will continue to cause, unilateral action to be taken by the States and Provinces to protect their citizens and the natural resources at stake.

Hence, the Commissions urge the Governments to act together to establish and implement standards, measures, and accountability mechanisms that will prevent the further introduction of alien invasive species to the Great Lakes ecosystem. It is the Commissions’ view, that this issue is of crucial bi-national importance.

Yours sincerely,