It is estimated that there are over 7000 invasive species transported in bilge water around the world on a daily basis[1] Invasive species can have direct or in-direct interactions with native sea life. Direct interaction such as predation, is when a native species with no natural predator is all of a sudden prey of an invasive specie. In-direct interaction can be diseases or other health conditions brought by invasive species. [2]

A ship pumping bilge water into a harbor
  1. ^ "What are California Marine Invasive Species?". wildlife.ca.gov. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  2. ^ Fisheries, NOAA (2021-05-07). "Invasive and Exotic Marine Species | NOAA Fisheries". NOAA. Retrieved 2021-05-13.