Which international conventions govern the management of ballast water on ships?

International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions are the governing set of international regulations specifically concerned with maritime safety, environmental protection, and efficiency of shipping operations. The management of ballast water on ships is primarily addressed through the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention), adopted by the IMO. This convention aims to prevent the introduction of invasive species from ballast water, which can have dire ecological impacts on marine environments.

The other options do not specifically address maritime ballast water management. The World Health Organization (WHO) focuses on public health issues, rather than maritime operations. The United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) provides general environmental guidelines but does not offer detailed regulations specific to ballast water. Similarly, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) deals with nuclear energy and does not pertain to shipborne pollutants or ballast water management. Therefore, the IMO conventions are the definitive framework that regulates ballast water management on vessels.