**7. Monitoring in environmental protection efforts**

One of the concerns as to the effectiveness of ballast water management efforts and other environmental protection methods is the issue of monitoring. Monitoring helps in establishing a record of the success of the environmental protection innovations that we are using. In terms of innovation and technological developments, there have been impressive monitoring systems by various innovators. In this paper, the author highlights systems for monitoring by CEMTEK [36]. Without proof of data for compliance, even showing and measuring regulatory compliance is difficult. It is therefore proposed that ballast water management systems should also be equipped with tried and tested monitoring techs that will make it easier to reach standards and regulatory compliance while supporting ship management efficiency and protecting the environment.
