PMSA members all practice ballast water management protocols to reduce or eliminate the risk of introduction of aquatic invasive species in state waters. Over 80 percent of vessels hold all ballast water in port to eliminate this risk. Those vessels that must discharge ballast ensure that it is exchanged with mid-ocean water prior to entering coastal waters, dramatically reducing the risk of carrying invasive species. PMSA members have are also actively participating with state and federal agencies to test new ballast water treatment technologies. The development and testing of these new technologies are essential to the elimination of invasive species introduction via ballast water.