Antifoul and Invasive Species
Antifoul
Whilst antifouling does a great job of keeping our hulls
clean, and even has some environmental benefits such as improving
fuel efficiency and preventing the spread of non native species, it
is toxic to aquatic life. Since the banning of TBT in 1987, most
antifouls are now copper or zinc based. Some of the compounds found
in these antifouls can accumulate in marine organisms, and can find
their way into marine wildlife further up the food chain.
The
majority of copper in antifouling enters the marine environment
through leaching. However concentrated amounts do enter the marine
environment during the removal of antifouling paint, which occurs
mostly by water blasting or mechanical scraping, and can form
concentrated deposits in the sediments around marinas and in river
beds.
Boat
owners can play a vital role in preventing concentrated
scrapings from entering the water by choosing a marine facility
that uses a washdown system that captures run off and
by following our best practice advice.
Best Practice Advice Leaflets & Resources Green Products
Non Native Invasive Species
There are
currently about 65 varieties of marine non native species in UK
waters. Whilst some of these species live quite happily alongside
our native species, many have the ability to disrupt natural
ecology. Non natives may smother structures and ecosystems, block
vital water intakes and interfere with fishery and aquacultures
operations.
Of particular concern to the UK boater is
Didemnum vexillum or Carpet Sea Squirt to give its common
name. As the name suggests, this animal can grow in carpet like
layers. It can be found on hard structures such as pilings,
moorings, ropes, chains, gravel sea beds and even ship
hulls. It can even overgrow other organisms such as other sea
squirt varieties, sponges, seaweeds and scallops, mussels and
oysters. Where these colonies occur on the seabed, they can act as
a barrier between fish and their food on the seabed.
Non
native species often arrive in the ballast or bilge water of
tankers and ships. But they can also hitch a ride on your boat's
hull, propeller, anchor or chain and you could be unwittingly
transporting them to another location.
Best Practice Advice Leaflets & Resources Green Products
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