10.8 SUMMARY

The Committee believes that the management of exotic marine species once they have been introduced into Victorian waters is a key component of ballast water management.

Primary responsibility for the management of exotic marine species once they have been introduced into Victorian waters rests with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

The Department is required, under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (Vic) to prepare an Action Statement for the listing under the Act of the `Introduction of Exotic Marine Organisms into Victorian Marine Waters' as a Potentially Threatening Process.

In order to effectively manage introduced exotic organisms in Victorian waters, Victoria should develop and Incursion Management Plan for Introduced Exotic Marine Species which incorporates an integrated program of detection, early control and ecosystem management carried out at all stages of invasion.

The Precautionary Principle provides an appropriate and workable criterion for decision making associated with the eradication and management of introduced exotic species in Victorian coastal waters.

Key elements comprising a Victorian Incursion Management Plan should be;

· a rapid response plan for eradication and containment and on-going incursion management;
· monitoring of exotic organism incursions;
· a protocol for notification of suspected introduced species; and
· Port Ballast Management Plans.

Departmental responses to exotic organisms incursions may be uncoordinated and less effective unless principles, objectives and management plans are established.

There are a number of national strategies for introduced exotic species which could assist Victoria in the management of introduced exotic organisms.

There is a significant amount of research being conducted in Australia and in Victoria into exotic organism biology and ecology and potential technologies for ballast water treatment and management.

The Committee has sought to provide a means for Victoria to address problems posed by the transfer into Victorian coastal waters of exotic marine organisms via ships' ballast water and hulls. The measures recommended by the Committee require the cooperation of the shipping industry, private and public ports, organisations and bodies responsible for coastal management, fisheries and the environment and community groups and individuals.

In order to progress the effective management of ballast water more widely, the Committee recommends:

Recommendation 15 That the Minister for Conservation and Land Management present to, and discuss the findings of, the Environment and Natural Resources Committee's Report on Ballast Water and Hull Fouling in Victoria with relevant federal, state and territory ministers.