There may be a cost effective, simple way to combat the latest invasive threat to the Great Lakes. Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia, or VHS has already damaged fish populations in the eastern Great Lakes. Curt Leitz with the Izaak Walton League in Duluth says VHS is believed to be traveling in the ballast water of ships, which when discharged infects local fish populations.
Lawmakers in Wisconsin have proposed a ban on ballast water discharge , but a scientist at the University of Minnesota-Duluth says treating ballast water with chlorine would be an effective solution. "It's a very effective method," says Dr.Gary Glass, adding that chlorine treatment is already in wide use by municipal water systems, and is even already in use by the shipping industry; to prevent ships' cooling systems from becoming clogged by invasive species.
