Arraial do Cabo, Brazil: procedures to control the spread of invasive species via ballast water, and ballast water treatment systems approved by IMO are being discussed at a week-long Globallast seminar (7-16 November).  Within the event, the Global Project Task Force (Globallast’s advisory body) will also provide a forum for consultation and communication between the various parties involved in the project. This biennial event attracts a number of international experts, from marine scientists to technology developers, private industries and strategic partners from the shipping industry to review Globallast`s progress and discuss future priorities and the work plan. Brazil, which ratified the BWM Convention in 2005, was one of six pilot countries in the first phase of GloBallast, from 2000 to 2007. IMO’s Dandu Pughiuc,  Jose Matheickal, Antoine Blonce and Aicha Cherif are in attendance.