NationStates Jolt Archive

I (with much help from mikitivity) have prepared a draft UN proposal that I would love to see reach a vote...

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.

The nation of Bootai-Bootai would wholeheartedly support such a resolution if it were ever to come up to vote. It is a very important issue, and in fact has been considered by our government before...

Before The Grand Duchy of Hamptonshire would lend its support to such an issue, we feel that a study to highlight potential damage to the shipping industry should be undertaken. While we do recognize the need to protect the environment, our government cannot committ itself to an action that may harm our shipping industry.

Lord Jake of Cassopia suggests you increase aerial funds.

I've given you guys a hard time about this proposal, LMAO. However, I have given my own industries some hard hits, within my own nation, regarding environmental concerns. So far, the moneymakers keep making money, and the environment keeps improving.

I really want to see the cost analysis suggested by Hamptonshire, I really really do.

The nation of Dubyashrubland may well go along with this proposal.

sounds good to me.

Before The Grand Duchy of Hamptonshire would lend its support to such an issue, we feel that a study to highlight potential damage to the shipping industry should be undertaken. While we do recognize the need to protect the environment, our government cannot committ itself to an action that may harm our shipping industry.

Some have requested cost-benefit analysis, to which Sophista happily agrees to provide.

We assume the cost implied will be the cost of installing the necessary sterilization equipment. First and foremost, we would contend that the cost of installing the equipment specified is miniscule compared to the amount of money earned on a single ocean crossing. Nevermind that this is a one-time cost, and will be easily absorbed in a single quarter's profits.

Furthermore, when looking at the cost benefit analysis we must also consider the effects of installing such equipment. It is worth noting that nitrogen deoxification prevents the rusting of ship hulls, meaning repairs will be significantly decreased. Currently, rusting is prevented by the use of highly expensive paints, which must be reapplied frequently. Clearly, the cost of installing deoxification apparatus would be less than the application of these paints, the cost of reparing the hulls, and the cost of lost shipping time.

Also, consider the alternative. The United Nations has already reached an agreement: ballast water is bad. Thus, its pretty safe to assume that, as a body, we will be taking action against it. What are our alternatives? Perhaps you would prefer a system like the Superfund Tax, where every ship is taxed regardless of cargo in order to pay for cleanup initiatives? Clearly this isn't better; first it costs more, second it cleans up damage instead of preventing it.

The impacts are obvious. Removing the scourge of ballast water from our environmental woes won't be crippling anyone's shipping industry, and might even lower the overhead associated with transoceanic trade. Furthermore, the alternatives are much more expensive, without any kind of benefits. A wise vote is one cast for this proposal, and not against.

Sincerely yours,
Daniel M. Hillaker
Minister of Foreign Affairs

Seems well considered, truly international in scope, non-intrusive, and impartial.

Why not, then?

Hazatak agrees with the proposal and will vote yes when it comes up for voting.

Seems well considered, truly international in scope, non-intrusive, and impartial.

Why not, then?

Thanks, but it also suffers from not being "sexy" enough to get the 149 endorsements. It looks like last night that we fell short by about 30 to 40.

Though in the past few weeks there has been a noticable improvement in the quality of the resolutions brought before this forum. I just would love to see something like this reaching the floor.

10kMichael