"If you are travelling 20, 000 km, it is rather unlikely that an organism will survive this, as ballast water is not the most cosy environment to live in, " said Dr Gastner.

BBC: Science & Environment

The states also will look for agreement on the best way to regulate ballast water dumped by oceangoing cargo ships, the primary vehicle by which aquatic invasive species have reached the Great Lakes.

WSJ: Great Lakes governors seek agreement on invasives

While the growth in cargo carried across the oceans means that the risk of future invasions is severe, the researchers say that tackling the ballast water issue can be a powerful means of mitigation.

BBC: Science & Environment

Call it the Das Boot effect: With their deep keels and heavy ballast, J-boats push such a mass of water that they tend to hunker down in a breeze, submerging the bow and stern and soaking practically everyone on deck.

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