‘Invaders from the Sea’ is about harmful organisms, transported in ships’ ballast water. They cause biological and economic havoc around the world, largely due to expanded maritime trade and traffic volume over the last few decades. The effects in many areas of the world have been devastating.

The film also highlights the progress made by the IMO and the maritime industry in preventing the spread of harmful organisms, transported in ballast water.

“I am absolutely delighted that the IMO documentary has received such high recognition from a prestigious film festival that includes, among its organisers and judges, renowned filmmakers and producers from around the world”, said Mr. Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, Secretary-General of the IMO, adding: “Our film underlines the vital role of shipping to world trade and the global economy and IMO’s permanent efforts to address, effectively and proactively, any problems arising from the operation of ships that may impact negatively on our mission to ensure safe, secure and efficient shipping on clean oceans. Winning this award will do much to make the general public appreciate even more the environmental work we carry out for the public good and for the achievement of Millennium Development Goals”.

Filming of the documentary took place during 2005 and 2006, around the world, with co-ordination carried out by a Steering Committee established by IMO at its Headquarters in London. The production enjoyed considerable sponsorship from Vela International Marine, BP Shipping and Wallenius-Alfa Laval Consortium, Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency and support from the GloBallast pilot countries (China, Iran, India, Ukraine, South Africa and Brazil). IMO also provided expert advice on the ballast water problem during the filming. The film was directed by Sally Cryer.

The film was one of 31, selected from more than 200 entries, screened at the festival. The key requirement for the festival was that films should reflect one or more of the eight United Nations Millennium Development Goals: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality and empower women; reduce child mortality; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability; and develop a global partnership for development.

The Film Festival featured film screenings, panel discussions, workshops and award presentations. Selections were based on the films’ topical relevance, artistic merit and production values.

‘Invaders from the Sea’ captures the dramatic impact of ballast water problem on the lives of millions of people. The movie brings into play tiny alien invaders symbolic of harmful organisms which have been transported to new areas in ships’ ballast water. The film tells the stories of local fishermen whose livelihoods had been completely destroyed by invasive marine species. Here we bring you an insight into the harmful species and characters depicted in the film :-

North American comb jelly - has been transported to the Caspian Sea. This tiny ctenophore is a voracious predator and reproduces rapidly under favourable conditions. It feeds excessively on zooplankton, depleting stocks and altering the food web and ecosystem function. It contributed significantly to the collapse of fisheries in the Black and Azov Seas in the 1990s, with massive economic and social impact, and has now depleted stocks of the local kilka fish in the Caspian Sea. The impact on one Caspian fisherman and his family is highlighted in the documentary.

Golden mussel (Limnoperma fortunei) - a native to south eastern Asian rivers and creeks, which has been transported in larva form in ships’ ballast waters to South America. It travelled to Brazil up river from the coastline of Argentina and is a highly reproductive invasive species that clogs up water intake pipes for hydro-electric power stations and fouls other structures. It affects the feeding patterns of local fish, causing fish stocks to fall. The film shows the devastating impact of the golden mussel on fishing and hydro-electric power stations and on the local ecosystem. 

Toxic Algae (Red Tides) - various species, including toxic dinoflagellates, cause red tides to appear. Several species have been transferred to new areas in ships’ ballast water. They may form harmful algae blooms and, depending on the species, can cause massive kills of marine life through oxygen depletion, release of toxins and/or mucus. They can foul beaches and impact on tourism and recreation, while some species may contaminate filter-feeding shellfish causing fisheries to be closed. Consumption of contaminated shellfish by humans may cause severe illness and death. The film focuses on South Africa where there has been an increase in cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning, after people ate shellfish collected from beaches affected by red tides. Paralytic shellfish poisoning can cause tingling and numbness of the mouth, lips and fingers, difficulty in breathing, accompanied by general muscular weakness and lack of co-ordination, and can lead to paralysis and death if not treated.

Ballast is crucial for the stability of a ship. It is estimated that about 3 to 10 billion tonnes of ballast water are transferred globally each year. Potentially transferring, from one location to another, species of sea life that may prove harmful when released into a non-native environment.