For shipping, marine biofouling is the accumulation of biological matter on the surface of submerged objects such as pier pylons and ship hulls. Over four thousand marine species were identified as biofouling organisms for shipping. Biofouling on marine vessels reduces their speed and increases their weight, leading to reductions in the maneuverability of the vessels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the major threats to the world\u2019s oceans and to the conservation of biodiversity was identified as the introduction of invasive aquatic species to new environments by ships. Marine invasive that is carried in a ship\u2019s hull or ballast water outcompetes native species by multiplying into pest proportions. Biofouling is a vector for bioinvasions as algae, plants, microorganisms, and animals are found on submerged structures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Biofouling\ncan cause an increase in fuel consumption, which has been estimated to be as\nmuch as a 40% increase. To deter biofouling, many shipping companies have\nstarted to use antifouling paints and make use of other methods that would keep\nto the standards of the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention. Marine\nantifouling paints are highly specialized coatings used to protect ship hulls\nfrom biofouling, by distributing active compounds in a controlled manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Except\nfor Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, all nations in the subregions\nhave signed onto the Ballast Water Convention of the International\nMaritime Organization<\/a>.\nThis means that all ships registered under the flags of these nations must\nmanage their ballast water so that aquatic organisms and pathogens are either rendered\nharmless or removed completely before ballast water is released into a new\nlocation. This convention is a global approach to providing information on\ngeneral procedures to mitigate the risks associated with biofouling for all\ntypes of vessels. Shipping as a vector carries a risk for marine invasives and\ntreatment of ballast water can minimize the risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Caribbean region, a series of policy briefs providing information to decision-makers on the actions needed to address the problem of invasive alien species was published. These policy briefs include a listing of possible marine invasives that may enter the region through areas like shipping, aquarium releases, aquaculture, or fisheries. Additionally, a survey conducted for[GU2]\u00a0 Barbados and the OECS would help to predict the pattern of marine invasive species with rising seawater temperatures caused by global warming. Risk assessments should be prioritized for the implementation and monitoring of eradication or control programmes. Read more from our policy brief, \u2018\u2019 Prevention and Management of Marine invasive alien Species in the Caribbean<\/a>\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read\nmore from our sources below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Source:\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n ScienceDirect<\/a> – Marine Biofouling<\/p>\n\n\n\n AMSA<\/a> – Biofouling and in-water\ncleaning<\/p>\n\n\n\n Caribbean Invasives<\/a> \u2013 Marine Risk Assessment\nReport <\/p>\n\n\n\n