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The invasive benthic foraminifera Trochammina hadai has been found for the first time in Europe along the coast of Normandy. Its native range of distribution is in Asia (Japan and Korea), and it has also been introduced along the coasts of western North America, Brazil and Australia. Morphological and molecular assessments confirm that specimens found in Le Havre and Caen-Ouistreham harbors belong to the Asiatic type. Like in Asia, T. hadai was found in transitional waters with muddy sediments. It exhibited high relative abundances (up to about 40%) confirming that T. hadai is a highly competitive species. In the present study, it was nearly absent from natural transitional waters and very abundant in heavily modified habitats like harbors, suggesting that ballast waters may likely be the vector of introduction. It was not recorded farther north along the coast of the Hauts-de-France. It is further hypothesized that the finding of a few specimens outside the harbor may facilitate the expansion of T. hadai in the English Channel by means of propagules dispersion.

Relevance. In September, 2017 the International Convention on Control of Ships’ Ballast Waters and sediments, in which the Russian Federation takes part, came into effect.Aim of article is to cover the results of implementation of the Convention in Russia, regarding selection and analysis of ballast waters tests for compliance with the international standard.Material and methods. The materials for work were data on ship arrivals at the international seaports of the Russian Federation, provided by sanitary and quarantine departments of the Russian ports, and monitoring researches of ballast waters in seaports of some regions of the Russian Federation. Analytical, bacteriological, molecular methods were applied.Results. The studies of ballast waters in the Leningrad and Kaliningrad regions have been conducted for the first time in 2018, and in the Rostov region the study lasts since 2010. The laboratory researches of ships’ ballast showed that E. coli, Enterococcus spp. were in norm, V. cholerae O1 and O139 in ballast were absent. 12 of 21 ballast water tests investigated by specialists of the Rostov region laboratories contained V. cholerae non-O1/non-O139, ballast was taken on the ships which arrived from Romania and Turkey.Сonclusion. The results of the molecular and genetic researches suggest that there is a probability of V. сholeraе introduction brougth with ship ballast. Management decisions are demanded to ensure biological safety of shipping and to decrease intestinal infections incidence in residents of the seaside cities.

A specimen of Synagrops japonicus was collected in the north-western Mediterranean during an exploratory cruise using bottom trawl nets, aimed at the evaluation of possible consequences of lost- at-sea drums containing toxic materials. The discovery of this specimen follows the first record that occurred in the same area 28 years previously, fished by a bottom trawler in the waters of Portofino (Genoa, Italy) in 1987. The morphometric and meristic details of the new specimen are provided. The presence of this individual in the north-western portion of the Mediterranean is likely related to an accidental transport of larvae via ballast water by ships coming from outside the Mediterranean basin., Uzorak Synagrops japonicus sakupljen je u sjeverozapadnom Mediteranu tijekom istraživačkog krstarenja pridnenim povlačnim mrežama, s ciljem procjene mogućih posljedica izgubljenih u moru bubnjeva koje sadrže otrovne materijale. Otkriće ovog primjerka slijedi prvi zapis koji se dogodio na istom području prije 28 godina, a primjerak je bio ulovljen pridnenom koćaricom u vodama Portofina (Genova, Italija) 1987. godine. Navedeni su morfometrijski i meristički detalji novog uzorka. Prisutnost ove jedinke u sjevero- zapadnom dijelu Sredozemnog mora je vjerojatno povezana sa slučajnim transportom ličinki balast- nom vodom u brodovima koji dolaze izvan mediteranskog bazena.

An inventory of phytoplankton diversity in 12 Adriatic ports was performed with the port baseline survey. Particular emphasis was put on the detection of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens (HAOP) because of their negative impact on ecosystem, human health, and the economy. Phytoplanktonic HAOP are identified as species, either native or non-indigenous (NIS), which can trigger harmful algal blooms (HAB). A list of 691 taxa was prepared, and among them 52 were classified as HAB and five as NIS. Records of toxigenic NIS (Pseudo-nitzschia multistriata, Ostreopsis species including O. cf. ovata) indicate that the intrusion of non-native invasive phytoplankton species has already occurred in some Adriatic ports. The seasonal occurrence and abundance of HAOP offers a solid baseline for a monitoring design in ports in order to prevent ballast water uptake and possible expansion of HAOP outside their native region.

Bio-contamination of water through biofouling, which involves the natural colonization of submerged surfaces by waterborne organisms, is a global socio-economic concern, allied to premature materials bio-corrosion and high human health risks. Most effective strategies release toxic and persistent disinfectant compounds into the aquatic medium, causing environmental problems and leading to more stringent legislation regarding their use. To minimize these side effects, a newly non-biocide-release coating strategy suitable for several polymeric matrices, namely polydimethylsiloxane and polyurethane (PU)-based coatings, was used to generate antimicrobial ceramic filters for water bio-decontamination. The best results, in terms of antimicrobial activity and biocide release, showed an expressed delay and a decrease of up to 66% in the population of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on ceramic filters coated with polyurethane (PU)-based coatings containing grafted Econea biocide, and no evidence of biocide release after being submerged for 45 days in water. Biocidal PU-based surfaces were also less prone to Enterococcus faecalis biofilm formation under flow conditions with an average reduction of 60% after 48 h compared to a pristine PU-based surface. Biocidal coated filters show to be a potential eco-friendly alternative for minimizing the environmental risks associated with biofouling formation in water-based industrial systems., This research work was supported by national funds through FCT-Foundation for Science and Technology within the scope of research units grants to BioISI (UIDB/04046/2020 and UIDP/04046/2020), and also by Base Funding-UIDB/00511/2020 of the Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology, and Energy-LEPABE-funded by national funds through the FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC). O. Ferreira also acknowledges the Grant PD/BD/128370/2017. L.C.G. and E.R.S. thank the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for their work contracts through the Scientific Employment Stimulus-Individual Call (CEECIND/01700/2017 and CEECIND/03530/2018).

© 2021 by the authors., New observations of non-indigenous species (NIS) in coastal waters, such as the Gulf of Cadiz (Spain) have increased since 1980 and more or less exponentially in the last five years. Ballast water has become the most significant pathway for unintentional introductions of NIS into marine ecosystems. For example, the marine larvae of crustacean decapods that inhabit the water column could be transported in ballast water. Although elevated concentrations of metals are toxic to many marine organisms, some of them have evolved effective detoxification, or avoidance mechanisms making it possible to consider they have a superior ability to withstand exposures to these toxicants. In this text, we try to reinforce the hypothesis that anthropogenic modifications (such as chemical alterations and modified environments) benefit NIS with broad environmental tolerances. Taking these risks into account, a reinforcement of efficient Ballast Water Management Systems to respond to today’s challenging environmental conditions is discussed., This essay was developed in the framework of the InvBlue project (PID2019- 105978RA-I00) from the Spanish “Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO), Plan Nacional I + D”, and within the 2014–2020 ERDF Operational Programme and Department of Economy, Knowledge, Business and University of the Regional Government of Andalusia (Spain).

Meeting the recent biological standards established by the Ballast Water Management Convention requires the application of ballast water treatment systems; ultraviolet irradiation is a frequently used option. However, organisms can repair the damage caused by ultraviolet irradiation primarily with photo-repair mechanisms that are dependent on the availability of light. The objective of this study is to quantify the impact of dark storage following ultraviolet irradiation on the viability of the microalgae Tetraselmis suecica. Results showed that one day of dark storage after ultraviolet irradiation enhanced the inactivation rate by 50% with respect to the absence of dark storage and increased up to the 84% with five days of dark storage. These results are consistent with photorepair, mostly in the first two days, prevented in the dark. The dose required to inactivate a determined ratio of organisms was correlated with the length of the dark post-treatment according to an inverse proportional function. This correlation may help to optimize the operation of ultraviolet ballast water treatment systems. Further, the results show that growth assays can detect organisms that are capable of repair after treatment with UV., This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness-FEDER through the R+D AVANTE Project [CTM2014-52116-R].

The ability of microalgae to preserve viable in coastal sediments as resting forms provides a reservoir of biodiversity and a useful tool to determine species spreadings. This study represents the first port baseline survey on dinoflagellate cysts, investigated in nine Adriatic ports during a cross border project. 40 dinoflagellate taxa were detected. The assemblages resulted in all ports dominated by Lingulodinium polyedra and Alexandrium minutum/affine/tamutum group. General separation to the western and eastern side of the Adriatic regarding cysts assemblage composition, partially abundance, was observed. Six taxa were detected as non-indigenous species for the Adriatic. Two taxa are included in the list of harmful aquatic organisms, indicating the potential threat of ballast waters in the Adriatic. Potential spreading of taxa by general circulation and ballast waters, intra- and extra-Adriatic was investigated. The entering in to force of the ballast waters management regulations should enhance prospects to minimize future harmful impacts.

Due to the increasing number of ecosystem invasions with the introduction of exogenous species via ballast water, the International Maritime Organization adopted the Ballast Water Convention (BWMC). The BWMC establishes standards for the concentration of viable organisms in a ballast water discharge. Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is commonly used for treating ballast water; however, regrowth after UV irradiation and other drawbacks have been reported. In this study, improvement in UV treatment with the addition of hydrogen peroxide or peroxymonosulfate salt was investigated using the microalgae Tetraselmis suecica as the target organism. Results reported that each of these reagents added in a concentration of 10 ppm reduced the concentration of initial cells by more than 96%, increased the UV inactivation rate, and enabled reaching greater level of inactivation with the treatment. These improvements imply a reduction of the UV doses required for a consistent compliance with the BWMC standards., This work has been co-funded by the 2014–2020 ERDF Operational Programme and by the Department of Economy, Knowledge, Business and University of the Regional Government of Andalusia (Spain). Projects Ref.: FEDER-UCA18 - 108023 and FEDER-UCA18-105151.

Given the impact of Mnemiopsis leidyi on pelagic ecosystem and fisheries in the native (coastal temperate western Atlantic) and invaded seas, its introduction in any new area is accompanied with great concern. Following its spread from the Black Sea, where it was introduced via ballast waters, this highly invasive jellyfish has settled in different areas of the southern European seas. In October 2005, it was recorded for the first time also in the northernmost part of the Adriatic. This introduction seemed to be unsuccessful as afterwards M. leidyi was not registered in the Adriatic Sea for more than 10 years. In summer 2016, blooms of M. leidyi were observed in different localities (from lagoon to open water) but all restricted to the northern Adriatic. Here we present data on spatial and temporal distribution of M. leidyi during summer-early autumn 2016 and morphological and biometric data. Preliminary results of egg production experiments using field-collected animals indicated high reproductive potential (136 – 5910 eggs/ind/day) and fast development (< 36 hours to larvae with tentacles) at 22 C and salinity 37.6.

In December 2014 the adult females and copepodites of alien paracalanid copepod Parvocalanus crassirostris were identified in the Central Adriatic port of Šibenik. The most probable transmission vector for this small copepod were ballast waters from the cargo ships that are regularly discharged at these locations. This paper is focused on P. crassirostris morphology and the state of population in the port of Šibenik. The possible path of introduction of Parvocalanus crassirostris into the Adriatic Sea is also discussed.

International audience; The presence of the demersal Asian copepod Pseudodiaptomus marinus is reported for the first time in the southern bight of the North Sea, in both Calais harbour and the coastal waters off Gravelines, France. This is the first record of P. marinus in the Atlantic Ocean sector and the North Sea area. The species was collected in January and October 2010, and in January, February and April 2011. The very low number of collected individuals (0.2 to 4.0 ind.m-3) and the capture of only two ovigerous females and of a few numbers of copepodid CV stages suggest that the species survives and actually reproduces in both sites but does not manage to develop an abundant population. The presence of P. marinus in Calais harbour and coastal waters of the southern North Sea supports recent observations of other Asian species in the same area and suggests a passive transport via ship's ballast waters

One of the major ecological risk of maritime transport is the introduction of new species in marine environment by ballast waters, especially due to growing maritime transport. Current knowledge on harmful effects of ballast waters is incomplete because the monitoring is implemented on limited marine areas. Present ballast water treatment methods are not sufficient and several methods should be combined in order to meet strict criteria of The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water and Sediments. It is essential to develop scientifically based strategy on ballast water pollution in the Republic of Croatia, and it should include unitary monitoring, which is vast and demanding project.

For the first time, one female individual of blue crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896, a species native to the western Atlantic coasts, is reported from Abruzzi waters (central Adriatic Sea). This species has widely invaded European Atlantic coasts and several areas of the Mediterranean, probably brought by ballast waters; yet, it has not settled in the study area., Po prvi put, jedinka ženke plavog raka Callinectes sapidus rathbun, 1896 vrste koja potječe sa zapadne obale atlantika, zabilježena je u vodama pokrajine abruzzi (srednji Jadran). Ova vrsta je uvelike najezdila europske obale atlantika i nekoliko područja u mediteranu, donešena vjerojatno balastnim vodama; ipak, još se nije u potpunosti nastanila u istraživanom području.

U „Narodnim novinama Međunarodni ugovori“ 3/10 objavljen je Zakon o potvrđivanju Međunarodne konvencije o nadzoru i upravljanju brodskim balastnim vodama i talozima iz 2004. godine, koji je Hrvatski sabor donio na sjednici 30. travnja 2010. Konvencija je sastavljena u Londonu 13. veljače 2004., u izvorniku na arapskome, kineskome, engleskome, francuskome, ruskom i španjolskom jeziku. Uz odluku o ratifikaciji objavljen je tekst Konvencije na engleskom jeziku i u prijevodu na hrvatski jezik. Konvencija je napisana u obliku standardne nomotehničke strukture uobičajene za međunarodne ugovore, a posebno za konvencije kao univerzalne izvore prava („viza“), što uključuje: preambulu, subjekte (stranke države članice IMO), definicije (mjerodavna uprava, balastne vode, svjedodžba, bruto-tonaža, štetni vodeni organizmi i patogeni talozi, brod i dr.); opće obveze, primjenu, rješavanje sporova, odnos prema međunarodnom pravu i drugim sporazumima, potpisivanje, pristup ratifikacija, odobrenje, stupanje na snagu, otkaz i drugo. Predmeti reguliranja ove konvencije su: kontrola prijenosa štetnih vodenih organizama i patogena brodskim balastnim vodama i talozima; znanstveno i tehničko istraživanje te praćenje stanja, pregled i izdavanje svjedodžba, kršenja, inspekcija brodova, otkrivanje kršenja i nadzor brodova, obavijest o postupcima u nadzoru brodova, nepotrebno kašnjenje brodova, tehnička pomoć, suradnja, priopćavanje informacija i drugo. Posebna karakteristika je u tome što se u sadržaj unose Pravila o nadzoru i upravljanju brodskim balastnim vodama i talozima (Pravilo A-1 do Pravilo A-5), Zahtjevi upravljanja i nadzora nad brodovima (Pravilo B-1 do Pravila B-6) i Posebni zahtjevi u određenim područjima (Pravilo C-1 do C-3), Standardi za upravljanjem balastnim vodama (Pravilo D-1 do D-5) i Zahtjevi za pregled i izdavanje svjedodžba za upravljanje balastnim vodama (Pravila E-1 do E-5). Komentar toga sadržaja predmet je ovoga rada., The Law on Adoption of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments was published in the ‘’Official Gazette International Contracts’’ 3/10. The Law was brought by the Croatian Parliament on 30 April 2010. The Convention was established in London on 13 February 2004, in a single original in the Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish languages. With the decision on ratification the text of the Convention was published in English and in Croatian translation. The Convention was developed as a standard nomotechnical structure normally used in international contracts, and particularly in conventions as universal legal sources (‘’visa’’), including: preamble, subjects (parties to the IMO member state), definitions (administrations, ballast waters, certificate, gross tonnage, harmful aquatic organisms and pathogen sediments, ship etc.); general obligations, implementation, dispute settlement, relationship to international law and other agremeents, signature, ratification, acceptance, approval, accession, entry into force, denunciation etc. The Convention regulates the following: control of transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathtogens through ships’ ballast water and sediments; scientific and technical research and monitoring, surveys and issuance of certificates, violations, ship inspections, detection of violations and control of ships, notification of control actions, undue delay to ships, technical assistance, co-operation, communication of information etc. It is specific for this Convention that Regulations for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (Regulation A-1 to Regulation A-5) are introduced as well as Management and Control Requirements for Ships (Regulation B-1 to B-6) and Special Requirements in Certain Areas (Regulation C-1 to C-3), Standards for Ballast Water Management (Regulation D-1 to D-5) and Survey and Certification Requirements for Ballast Water Management (Regulations E-1 to E-5). This paper elaborates on the cited contents.

The dinoflagelate Pseliodinium vaubanii was first recorded from the Adriatic Sea in the vicinity of the River Po estuary, in 1978. Subsequently it was recorded from a number of bays and estuaries along the eastern Adriatic coast. It was assumed that Pseliodinium vaubanii was introduced into Adriatic Sea with ballast waters. Even though the studies of Jacques and Soyer (2) showed this species to occur under vertically stable conditions of the water column we recorded it under conditions of markedly non-homogeneous water column.

In September 2010, one specimen of the twobar seabream Acanthopagrus bifasciatus was recorded for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea, off the Islands of Zembra (Gulf of Tunisi: 37°07’03’’N; 10°48’35’’E). This species could have entered the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal or alternatively by unintentional human transport.

The carrier ship's deballasting activity in french ports and coastal areas can introduce unwanted or noxious species,with detrimental economical and sociological consequences upon shore based activities ; These activities represent one of the most preeminent sources for employment and incomes along the french coasts ,via coastal fishing,aquaculture,tourism. A ship's ballast water study in sorne french ports has been carried out ,to seek for presence of harmfull or pathogenic organisms.Results let appear pathogenic bacteriae in half of the ships,and weIl known toxic phytoplancton species (from Spain ,north Africa) The technical problem of ballast water treatment is considered., L'activité de déballastage des navires de transport dans les ports et les eaux côtières françaises est susceptible d'introduire des espèces vivantes indésirables ou néfastes, provenant d'autres régions du globe,avec des conséquences dommageables pour la socio-économie des régions côtières. Cette dernière constitue pour le littoral français une des plus importantes sources d'emplois et de revenus,à travers la pêche côtière,l'aquaculture et le tourisme. Une campagne de prélèvement sur les eaux de ballast de navires en escale dans les ports français a été entreprise,pour rechercher d'éventuels organismes pathogènes ou néfastes. Les résultat font apparaître des bactéries connues comme pathogènes sur la moitié des navires échantillonnés. D'autre part,plusieurs espèces de phytoplancton toxique ont été observées,de provenances diverses(péninsule ibérique,Maghreb). Enfin ,le problème technique du traitement des eaux de ballast est examiné.

The discharge of ship's ballast waters in coastal areas is considered as a vector for exotic species introduction, a threat for the local ecosystems or even the mariculture activities. The most worrying are the toxic phytoplanktonc. Unwanted effect presently documented in the world were rewieved. The risk analysis applied to this problem is discussed. Regulations and research programs about ballast waters in several countries were also overviewed. A ship's arrivai study in Charente-Maritime (France) let appear a large percentage of them were coming from areas where the occurrence of toxic phytoplankton blooms are common. Known technical solutions, populations and guidelines are recorded. A non exhaustive list of toxic phytoplankton blooms occurences in several countries for the last twenty years is given., L'activité de déballastage des navires à proximité des zones côtières est susceptible d"introduire des espèces nuisibles aux écosystèmes ou à la vie économique de ces régions. C'est le cas du phytoplancton toxique. Les effets indésirables déjà constatés dans le monde sont passés en revue et l'analyse des risques appliquée à ce problème est exposée. Les initiatives prises en matière de recherche et de réglementation par différents pays sont étudiées. Deux ports moyens en Charente-Maritime se trouvent à proximité des zones aquacoles. Le trafic maritime des ports étudié sur zones montre que la majorité des navires venait de côtes où les apparitions de phytoplancton toxique sont fréquentes. Les solutions techniques et réglementaires de lutte contre ce phénomène sont rapportées. Une liste non exhaustive des efflorescences phytoplanctoniques des deux dernières décennies dans le monde est donnée en annexe.

This paper identifies ballast water from vessels in Szczecin harbor to be of the highest risk category as far as transmitting living alien species is concerned. The species when encountering similar environmental conditions become a risk to the local species as food competitors treating the local species as food and expand in an invasive way, spreading formerly unknown diseases to the local environment. Moreover, they become dangerous to human health as well as hindering economy development by reducing fish resources and growing on hydro-technical facilities.