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Policy recommendations to halt the spread of antifouling toxins from the leisure boats to the coastal waters of the Baltic Sea

Time:               13th June, 17.00-18.30
Venue:              Besucherzentrum 1

Description:

It is a goal of the Baltic Sea Action Plan to reduce hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea to near natural concentrations. However, among the large number of recreational boaters it is a longstanding tradition to use antifouling paints containing toxins on the hull to impede settlement of benthic marine organisms. The toxins leach to the waters in the sensitive coastal zone causing severe damages to the marine environment. Through the research performed within the Bonus CHANGE project we can now translate our results into policy recommendations to relevant actors on all levels. The focus will be on how to minimize the spread of antifouling toxins from leisure boats without compromising antifouling product performance for the individual and how changing policy might create new markets and jobs in the green sector.

Speakers, panelists, moderator:

Speakers:

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Confirmed moderators:

Organiser(s) & contact details:

Elaboration:

In Baltic Scandinavian countries as well as in Germany leisure boating is a very popular form of recreation. It is estimated that the countries bordering the Baltic Sea host some 2-3 million leisure boats. It is a longstanding tradition with the boaters to use antifouling paints containing toxins like copper and zinc on their boat hulls to impede settlement of benthic marine organisms. These toxins leach to the waters in the sensitive coastal zone when the boat is in the water and when maintenance work is performed by the boater. The toxins cause severe damages to the marine environment in the coastal zone. Through the multi-disciplinary research performed within the Bonus CHANGE project, encompassing Business administration, Law and Natural Sciences, we can now translate our scientific results into policy recommendations directed to individual boaters, marina operators, local authorities and regional bodies on how to minimize the spread of antifouling toxins from leisure boats to the Baltic Sea without compromising antifouling product performance for the individual.
The results show that Biocide-free silicone and mechanical methods such as brush washers and hull covers work very well and show no difference in performance.

We will present our results as policy recommendations on how to change into sustainable antifouling practices. Moreover we will present mapping of the national as well as international rules and regulations that may be used by competent authorities on all levels to change into sustainable antifouling practices. During the workshop we will discuss with our selected panelists and with the audience attending the workshop on how changing policy might create new markets and jobs in the green sector to build a sustainable future for the Baltic Sea region.