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PORTAGE, Ind. (AP) - A coalition of environmental groups worried about the spread of invasive species into the Great Lakes from ballast water discharged by foreign vessels is calling for a moratorium on international shipping.
Members of Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition said Wednesday that banning international ships from entering the Great Lakes system would call attention to a stalled effort to create federal standards for handling ship ballast water.
Ballast held in ships' tanks and cargo holds increases stability and maneuverability, but is the likely source of invasive species like the zebra mussel and round goby. More than 180 foreign organisms are known to thrive in the lakes.
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