Aquatic Ecosystems

Monitoring of regulations

Implement at least four of the following seven criteria

2.1 Conduct a literature review of the data available on aquatic ecosystems in the port’s immediate and extended zones of influence.

Note: See phase I of annex X-A for guidelines.

2.2 Delineate the port’s immediate and extended zones of influence and map known aquatic ecosystems on and around the port.

Note: See phase I of annex X-A for guidelines.

2.3 Identify and establish contact with potential collaborators and partners that can contribute to building knowledge of the aquatic ecosystems in the port’s immediate and extended zones of influence.

2.4 Establish and maintain contact with the relevant government authority to identify and regularly update a list of potential aquatic invasive species in the port’s immediate and extended zones of influence. Report any new observations of an aquatic invasive species in a timely manner.

2.5 Provide up-to-date guidelines for in-water cleaning of commercial ships in port waters and/or raise awareness among recreational boaters by sharing best practices to reduce the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species via biofouling.

Note: See reference documents in the member's section of the Green Marine website.

2.6 Ensure all applicable best practices to minimize the impacts of maintenance and capital dredging on the aquatic environment are implemented during dredging operations (e.g., environmental surveillance by competent port staff or a third party during dredging activities).

2.7 Facilitate educational activities or raise awareness among employees, tenants, users, or the community relative to the need for protecting aquatic ecosystems and preventing pollution in port waters.

Implement at least three of the following six criteria

3.1 Identify potential sources of pollutants associated with port operations and activities in the immediate zone of influence.

3.2 Carry out a characterization to benchmark the status of aquatic ecosystems in the immediate zone of influence.

Note: See phase II of annex X-A for guidelines.

3.3 Support government authorities with their response plan to eradicate or reduce the risks of introducing and spreading aquatic invasive species (e.g., facilitate access, help implement response plan measures).

3.4 Organize or actively participate (provide support through financial means, human resources, and/or material and equipment) in a clean-up activity of an aquatic environment in the participant’s immediate or extended zones of influence to remove detritus, trash, and debris from the water or the shoreline.

3.5 Support scientific research by facilitating access to the port territory for sampling purposes (e.g., aquatic invasive species monitoring) or by participating in an expert working group.

3.6 Implement mechanisms to limit incidental discharges from ships in port waters (e.g., scrubber washwater, bilge water, greywater, blackwater).

Implement at least four of the following seven criteria

4.1 Based on the information gathered in levels 2 and 3, implement an aquatic ecosystem monitoring program in the port's immediate zone of influence.

Note: See phase III of annex X-A for guidelines.

4.2 Based on the information gathered in levels 2 to 3 and 4.1, develop an aquatic ecosystems management plan which includes an action plan to implement environmentally sustainable solutions.

Note: see Annex X-B for guidelines.

4.3 Implement, actively participate in, or financially support a project to restore or develop a natural aquatic habitat within the last five years.

Note: A project description must be submitted to Green Marine no later than February 15. See Annex X-D for guidelines.

4.4 Collaborate with a research group, technology developer, innovation cluster, academia, or government agency on a research & development project on aquatic ecosystem protection around industrial-port zones (e.g., to monitor, measure, and foster biodiversity, reduce the risk of introducing and spreading aquatic invasive species, pollution prevention).

4.5 When contamination levels allow it, beneficially reuse dredged sediment.

4.6 Actively participate in scientific research or pilot projects aiming to understand and reduce the impact of dredging and dredged sediment management on wildlife and natural habitats.

4.7 Any other measure, practice, or project aiming to improve the health of aquatic ecosystems in the port’s immediate and extended zones of influence that is accepted by Green Marine.

Note: A project description must be submitted to Green Marine no later than February 15. See Annex X-D for guidelines.

Implement at least three of the following seven criteria

5.1 In collaboration with local or regional stakeholders, expand the monitoring program implemented at Level 4 and make it a long-term program.

Note: See phase IV of annex X-A for guidelines.

5.2 Implement environmentally sustainable solutions identified in the aquatic ecosystem management plan at level 4.

5.3 Within the last 10 years, protect or contribute to protecting an existing natural aquatic habitat of ecological or community value from commercial or industrial development.

Note: A project description must be submitted to Green Marine no later than February 15. See Annex X-D for guidelines.

5.4 Invest annually in one or more research & development or pre-commercial projects on aquatic ecosystem protection around industrial-port zones (e.g., to monitor, measure, and foster biodiversity, reduce the risk of introducing and spreading aquatic invasive species, pollution prevention).

5.5 Implement measures to reduce maintenance dredging needs (e.g., over-dredging or deflecting structures to reduce sediment deposition).

5.6 Within the last 10 years, complete a sediment clean-up project on a site under the control of the port.

5.7 Use environmental dredging techniques for maintenance and capital dredging.