Legislation Issues on the Invasion of Alien Species Through Ballast Water in Ships

Abstract

The issue of alien species invasion caused by ballast water from ships has been recognized by the Global Environmental Fund as one of the four major threats to the oceans. As a major maritime nation, China is also confronted with the same problem. This paper outlines the hazards of alien species invasion through ballast water and analyzes the current legislation status and shortcomings of ballast water in Chinese ships. It proposes legislative strategies, including clearly defining legislative purposes, enacting specialized laws, and establishing a coordinated regulatory system, aiming to provide assistance to legislation and practices in China regarding the invasion of alien species through ballast water.