Moratorium on Ocean Going Ships in the Great Lakes

The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition today is calling for a moratorium of ocean-going ships in the Great Lakes until Congress stops the introduction of aquatic invasive species.

“Our call for a moratorium stems from the fact that the Great Lakes are under attack and Congress has yet to respond,” said Jeff Skelding, campaign director for the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. “We have solutions. It is time to use them. Congressional delay is exacerbating the problem and costing citizens more money. It is time for elected officials to pass legislation that will slam the door shut on new invasive species in the Great Lakes.”

The call for a moratorium comes as the latest non-native pathogen in the Great Lakes—a deadly fish virus—spreads throughout the region, prompting state legislators in Wisconsin, Minnesota, New York and Ohio to consider bills to curb introductions of non-native species from ballast water—the No. 1 way invasive species enter the Great Lakes and possible source of VHS introduction.

You can view the full press release (pdf) here.

Please also visit the Restore the Lakes homepage.