Ballast water is used to weight the ships to give them stability. It is emptied when a cargo is brought on board or when heading into shallow water, such as that in a river. As many as 25 tanks frequently are used to hold the ballast. Sikkema's bill also would require a permit for releasing ballast water in Michigan's waters. The senator acknowledged that the proposed law would need the cooperation of other Great Lakes states as well as Canada to be truly effective.
Someone has to be the leader.
Someone has to be the catalyst. Biologists, sport fishermen, representatives of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and charter boat operators testified in favor of the bill, most citing environmental dangers. They were outnumbered by groups such as Coast Guard, shipping industry executives and other boaters, who testified against the bill calling it too cumbersome, expensive, economically threatening, and not inclusive of other Great Lakes states and nations. We live and work on the Great Lakes. We are just as concerned about maintaining the environmental quality of the Great Lakes.