The IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) commenced detailed consideration of the matter in 1990 and has since that time, taken many significant steps.

The focus in IMO in this matter has been largely related to ballast water. Most ships must regularly take on and discharge ballast water. When not carrying cargo, ships need ballast water to enable them to operate effectively and safely. Some bulk carriers that visit Australia to take on cargo bring with them vast amounts of ballast water - over 100,00 tonnes - from foreign ports then on arrival in Australia, or in other foreign port, discharge this ballast water and take on cargo.

Globally it has been estimated that the world shipping fleet is transporting approximately 10 billion tonnes of ballast water around the globe each year and that, on average, more than 3,000 species of plant and animals are being transported daily around the world. (UNDP Report 1998).

The organisms which result in toxic algal blooms are quite readily able to be taken up in ships' ballast water, survive during voyages and stand some chance of survival and establishment in their new location when discharged with ballast water. In turn they will, under suitable conditions, reproduce and potentially become an algal bloom.

Following on from international guidelines issued by IMO in 1993, MEPC has in recent years been developing an international regulatory regime which would result in improved ballast water management and thus the reduction of the threat posed by the introduction and establishment of these organisms. Additionally many countries including Australia have removed or are moving unilaterally to put their own arrangements in place.

Now there is no question that shipping is essential to world trade indeed it moves some 80% of world commodities; in Australia's case it is some 98%. Equally, there is no question that ships need ballast water. The question then is what management arrangements can be put into place to minimise the risk of uptake, discharge and potential spread of unwanted harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens.

This address will provide some background to the relationship between the shipping industry and harmful algal blooms and details of key international action taken and contemplated by IMO.