National Ballast Water Management Strategy 2016‐2020.

The National Ballast Water Management Strategy aims to minimize the risks of invasive alien species by seeking to avoid adverse economic, environmental and public health impacts, whilst not unduly impeding trade; and to take a practical approach to ballast water management. The strategic priorities of this Strategy are: (i) raising awareness, (ii) building capacity, (iii) baseline and monitoring, (iv) management action.
A Leading Agency will be established for the purposes of a National Ballast Water Management Strategy. This Agency will be responsible for the integration of the National Strategy into pertinent national policies/strategies and ensuring that necessary legislation is in place; ensuring implementation of necessary scientific, operational and administrative arrangements for all ships visiting the country’s ports; ensuring that all key stakeholders are fully conversant with the National Strategy, appropriately trained and properly authorized to act on its behalf, where required; monitoring and reviewing on an ongoing basis how effectively the National Strategy is being implemented and introducing changes, as necessary; ensuring effective enforcement of national laws and regulations; administration of relevant international instruments related to ballast water management; incorporating improved measures into the National Strategy; ensuring the ongoing liaison and cooperation of all key stakeholders; and participating in international, regional and national matters relating to ballast water management.
Awareness materials will be developed and used on the potential threat of marine invasive species to the Cook Islands to coincide with the ballast water management Convention coming into force. These materials will be targeted to specific sectors, such as fishing industries to report sightings of new species. The capacity of staff member at Marine Resources will be enhanced on marine invasive species issues as a key part of their role. Appropriate sampling equipment will be provided to Cook Islands Port State Control officers. Ballast water sample testing capability will be developed, taking into account IMO Guidelines for ballast water sampling. Cook Island officials will be promoted to attend training course in Port Biological Baseline Survey. Surveillance and compliance with ballast water regulations will be strengthened, including delegation of enforcement powers to relevant officials. Information on marine species will be included in any training on biodiversity, species identification and record keeping/database undertaken for staff on Pa Enua. Surveys will be conducted for marine invasives at Rarotonga, Aitutaki and Penrhyn ports, Suwarrow and other locations as necessary.
The Biodiversity Steering Committee will review its composition to consider including the Ministry of Transport and to identify any other key stakeholders in marine invasive species management; have responsibility for oversight of this Strategy, with the Ministry of Transport to take the lead in discussions under a new standing agenda item; monitor the potential for distribution of invasive species around Pa Enua by Cook Islands domestic shipping as well as ships from international ports traveling directly to Pa Enua; and undertake additional work to identify and address issues associated with transfer of marine invasives through biofouling. An early detection and rapid response plan will be developed and/or simulation exercises will be carried out in accordance with the National Invasive Species Strategy and Action Plan, taking into account marine invasives. The establishment of a Cook Islands Pacific Invasives Learning Network will be discussed with the SPREP.