RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNCONTROLLED DISCHARGE OF SHIPS BALLAST ANDTHE LEGISLATIVE CONTROLS AVAILABLE IN SCOTLAND

The transportation of goods by sea results in vast amounts of water wh ich is taken on as ballast, being transferred between ports, countries and continents. This can cause pollution, both chemical and biologica l. Public-health risks have also been identified. Although many countr ies, including the UK, have introduced guidelines on the discharge of ballast water, there are practical problems in establishing procedures which are suitable to mandatory control. Despite this, it is currentl y possible for ballast water discharges to fall within the ambit of th e Scottish river purification authorities. This produces a dilemma in that an authority may have statutory duties which it does not have the practical or legal powers to fulfil. This paper explores the risks as sociated with uncontrolled ballast water discharge, the effectiveness of current controls, and possible further controls which could be exer cised.