- Vessel Incidental Discharge Act, VIDA approved by the US Senate to differentiate between “live” and “living” organism.
- The reproductive ability of the organism will be the key parameter.
- Reproductively active organisms can only survive in the ballast water discharge.
- The act suggests that US Coast Guard regulation is amended to measure reproducing organisms in ballast system.
- Manufacturers using UV in BWMS for testing are on the edge.
- DHI is looking for new methods of testing the reproductive ability of organisms
On November 14, the US Senate approved a Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA)as part of the Congressional Record Senate, 11 October 2018, reports Ship Technology.
What’s it about?
The recently approved Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA) introduces a new definition of ‘live’ and ‘living’, which implies that the ability of organisms to reproduce is considered the key parameter in the assessment of whether an organism is alive or dead.
Why is it important?
When organisms spread from one geographical area to another, as it may occur with the discharge of ballast water, such organisms will only survive, if they are able to reproduce and compete successfully with the species in the new environment. There are no invasive species without reproduction.
How will it help?
The VIDA requests that the US Coast Guard regulation shall be amended by the inclusion of methods that can determine the concentration of organisms in ballast water that are capable of reproduction.
This is good news for manufacturers of ballast water management systems (BWMS) using ultraviolet light for treatment, in particular, and for the testing community in general.
The Most Feasible Testing
DHI has since 2010 measured the reproductive ability of the organisms in connection with type approval tests of BWMS by use of a growth-based most probable number (MPN) method.
The MPN method is not perfect, but the same is true for the microscopy evaluation which is the current standard in the regulation.
DHI welcomes the initiative to consider methods that measure reproduction, and we look forward to bringing new reproductive methods into practical BWMS type approval testing.
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Source: Ship Technology
