Here is a new resolution about Ballast Water. As per the constitution, I'll cast my delegate vote in accordance with the majority view expressed in this poll. Voting ends March 14, I'll cast the nation's vote a day before that.

Those who have any opinions on this resolution should feel free to make their opinion heard in this thread.

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Ballast Water

Description: Ballast water is a major vector for invasive marine species. By mandatory cycling of ballast water member nations waters we will reduce the introduction and spead of weedy invasive species such as zebra mussel and northern pacific sea star with minimum disruption to industry.


The NationStates United Nations,

OBSERVING that it is common practice for international cargo ships to release ballast water upon arriving at their destination ports or in waters near these ports,

REALIZING that it is necessary for these ships to use ballast material during long voyages across international waters, and that ballast material is extremely useful in allowing ships to remain level while loading and unloading cargo while in port,

AWARE that ballast water is a primary source of the introduction of nonindigenous or alien species into fragile aquatic ecosystems,

CONCERNED that nonindigenous species frequently have no natural predators in the new ecosystems they are introduced into,

NOTING that often these species compete with or threaten and prey upon native species, including many endangered species,

NOTING FURTHER that protecting biodiversity is of interest to both local and international interests, in that losses in biodiversity have resulted in damages and losses in the stock of commercial fisheries,

1. RECOMMENDS that international cargo ships using ballast water exchange or cycle this water while in ocean waters exceeding 1,600 meters in depth;
2. FURTHER RECOMENDS that independant nations pass legislation to mandate the installation of nitrogen deoxification equiptment or UV steralizers on all international cargo ships;
3. CALLS UPON nations to adopt similar standards for domestic cargo ships that travel through international waters;
4. SUGGESTS that the uptake of ballast water should be minimized when propellers may stir up sediments and bottom dwelling organisms, or in periods of darkness, when the quality of the ballast water can not be easily accessed;
5. FURTHER RECOMMENDS that cargo ships, when possible, develop and put into practice routine schedules to clean out the ballast tanks either mid-ocean or in dry docks, in order to minimize the risks of introducing harmful aquatic organisms; and
6. REQUESTS governments work with the shipping industries based in their countries to assess additional methods of minimizing the risks of introducing harmful aquatic organisms.

My take on this is that it sounds nice, is coming from a good place, and has no enforceablity whatsoever. As such, it sends out a 'wish list' measures that the UN hopes its members will adopt, but has no enforceability whatsoever.

It is too bad, because the oceans that are beyond each nation's 200 mile EEZ are one of the only areas where the UN would have some clear jurisdiction, given the absence of any laws in those areas.

Interesting. As rightly put, there is no visible enforcement. I would prefer to think of this as a 'set of guidelines' rather than 'rules'.
There seems to be a great deal of thought in this and, recounting previous proposals, evident relevance.

I believe I inadvertently voted against this proposal. Consider my one no vote a yes vote. My economy has grown quickly, but the earth is something we borrow from our children, and my corporations are just going to have to add environmental responsibility to the cost of doing business in Saskatonia.

There. Liberal enough?

:)

I wouldn't worry, Saskatonia, I've done the same thing in the past. By the looks of things it's going to be voted for anyway.

The resolution "Ballast Water" was passed, 13485 votes to 3505, and implemented in all UN member nations. I voted in favour based on the poll result showing 8 in favour and 1 against.