Ballast Water Requirements for fishing vessels
New Zealand’s Marine Protection Rules Part 300: Ballast (Part 300) set out rules for the control and management of ships’ ballast water. Part 300 aims to prevent harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens entering New Zealand’s marine environment. If harmful aquatic organisms become established, they can severely harm our marine environment. Pathogens in ballast water can also present a risk to human health and marine ecosystems.
Part 300 gives effect to the provisions of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments 2004.
This position statement clarifies how Part 300 applies to:
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New Zealand‑flagged fishing vessels within New Zealand's jurisdiction on an international voyage to or from New Zealand, and
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foreign fishing vessels within New Zealand's jurisdiction on an international voyage to or from New Zealand.
Fishing vessels on an international voyage that take on water or use brine to maintain stability must comply with Part 300
When on non‑fishing international voyages, fishing vessels that use refrigerated sea water tanks (RSW) or non‑dedicated ballast water tanks for stability, are considered to be carrying ballast water in ballast water tanks. Therefore, these vessels must comply with Marine Protection Rules Part 300 when on international voyages.
Key terms
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Ballast water |
Ballast water, in relation to a ship, means water with its suspended matter taken on board the ship to control the ship’s trim, list, draught, stability, or stresses. |
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Ballast water tank |
A ballast water tank is any tank on a ship used for carrying, loading, or discharging ballast water, including any multi-use tank designed to allow carriage of ballast water. |
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International voyage |
International voyage means:
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New Zealand jurisdiction |
New Zealand jurisdiction means the internal waters of New Zealand, the territorial sea of New Zealand, and the exclusive economic zone of New Zealand. |
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Non-dedicated ballast water tank |
For this position statement, a non-dedicated ballast water tank is any tank used to carry ballast water that is not specifically designed to carry ballast water. |
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Non-fishing voyage |
For this position statement, a non-fishing voyage is a voyage where fishing does not occur, that is, fish are not caught and stored as cargo on the vessel. Non-fishing voyages include relocation, repair, maintenance, or dry-docking voyages. |
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Refrigerated sea water tank (RSW) |
For this position statement, an RSW tank is any tank on board fishing vessels used to preserve large catches. |
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Vessel |
For this position statement, vessel, ship, or boat is a generic term that is not associated with the size of the craft. |