We have often mentioned that spills are not just oil, they are often harmful substances that are pollutants of the marine environment and can also be invasive species. Such as the Chinese Mitten Crabs.
At last new laws have now come into force which will further protect United Kingdom coastlines by stopping international ships from discharging potentially harmful species into the sea.
The Merchant Shipping (Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments) Regulations 2022 introduces legislation into UK law controlling the discharge of ships’ ballast water into UK waters.
Ballast water can contain aquatic species that are harmful to native UK ones and the legislation will stop ships from potentially releasing them onto our coasts.
More details here: https://maritimecoastguard.blogspot.com/2022/08/new-laws-to-restrict-way-ships-release.html