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		Protect our seas from marine invaders! Thursday, 5th January 2006 Brussels, - Lincolnshire’s Conservative MEPs, Roger Helmer and Chris Heaton-Harris, have called on the EU to protect British waters from marine invaders discharged from the ballast tanks of cargo ships. In order to maintain stability during transit along coasts and on the open ocean, ships fill their ballast tanks with water. Large ships often carry millions of gallons of ballast water. This water is taken from coastal port areas and transported with the ship to the next port of call where the water may be discharged or exchanged. Speaking from Brussels, Roger Helmer said: "The European Parliament needs to consider this issue urgently. Thousands of alien species are being pumped into the tanks of cargo ships every day and then transported around the world, before being discharged in shallow waters around the UK coastline.”“In their home environment, these organisms live in harmony with their predators and are controlled by natural diseases and other ecosystem interactions. Once pumped out into a new environment they can wreak havoc. Scientists have found evidence of invading species all around the world, especially in ports and other locations where they "jump-ship" from the vessels that transported them.” Chris Heaton-Harris added: "There has already been much publicity about 'red-tide' algae. Shellfish, such as mussels and oysters, absorb the algae and eating infected shellfish can cause paralysis and death. Cargo vessels filling their ballast tanks in areas affected by red tide algae could easily transport this harmful organism to our shores causing devastation to the UK's thriving shellfish industry”

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