University of California Sea Grant Extension Program

See our Fact Sheet, Nontoxic Hull Coating Field Demonstration: Long-Term Performance, for results of the nontoxic coating field demonstration project

Introduction

Harmful levels of dissolved copper have been detected in boat basins in San Diego and Newport Bays. Oceanside Harbor and Marina Del Rey also have elevated levels of dissolved copper. Other crowded boat basins may experience this problem, too. According to Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) studies by the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, and by the US EPA, high copper levels are primarily due to antifouling paints on boats. Nontoxic bottom paints are an option for boaters to help lower copper levels in these waters and protect the marine life that provide food for fish and birds.

Copper-based bottom paints are designed to release copper into surface waters to slow the growth of fouling organisms. Recreational boats spend much time at the slip so most of the copper in the bottom paint is released there. It builds up in the water column and sediments and may reach toxic levels. Scientific studies show that dissolved copper at concentrations found in areas of San Diego and Newport Bays affects growth, development, and reproduction of marine life such as mussels, oysters, scallops, sea urchins, and crustaceans. Regulations to reduce dissolved copper levels are being planned. Nontoxic antifouling strategies are an effective way to reduce copper pollution from boats.  

Click here for the pdf “What You Need to Know About Nontoxic Antifouling Strategies for Boats” which gives an overview of the copper antifouling paints issue in San Diego and internationally as well as information on alternatives to copper-based antifouling paints.

Nontoxic Bottom Paint Demonstration Project

To help boat owners make decisions about nontoxic antifouling strategies, the University of California Sea Grant Extension Program (UCSGEP) conducted a field demonstration of nontoxic boat bottom paints. The demonstration is funded in part by the US EPA and the California State Water Resources Control Board 319(h) program (Funding Acknowledgments and Affirmative Action Statement).

The project studied the performance of one silicone- and two epoxy-based coatings on six recreational boats in San Diego Bay. Underwater hull cleaners for the project boats reported on coating conditions, fouling growth levels, and diver effort each time the vessels were cleaned. These reports have been analyzed to determine coating performance throughout the year. Coating performance is affected by water temperature, regular vessel maintenance, cleaning methods used, and frequency of boat use. Results of the UC Sea Grant Extension Program’s demonstration project are providing boaters with vital information for choosing the best nontoxic antifouling strategy for their vessels, especially for those in southern California.

Download the preliminary results:  UCSGEP-SD Fact Sheet 04-2 May 2004 - Nontoxic Antifouling Strategies Demonstration Project

The booklet “Staying Afloat with Nontoxic Antifouling Strategies for Boats” presents a full analysis of the results of the demonstration project as well as an update on nontoxic alternatives available today.  To request a copy of this publication please e-mail ltjohnson@ucdavis.edu

Nontoxic Antifouling Strategies Economic Study

Senate Bill 315

The University of California Sea Grant Extension Program (UCSGEP) and the University of California, San Diego Department of Economics collaborated on an economic study mandated by Senate Bill 315. California Senator Alpert and former Assemblyman Howard Wayne introduced Senate Bill 315 which was passed by the Legislature in 2001.  The Bill mandated a study to identify incentives for boaters to use nontoxic alternatives to metal-based antifouling hull coatings. The Legislation also established the San Diego Advisory Committee for Environmentally Superior Antifouling Paints to make recommendations and advise on the preparation of the study report.

The San Diego Advisory Committee for Environmentally Superior Antifouling Paints included representatives of the following organizations:

Voting members:  San Diego Association of Yacht Clubs, San Diego Port Tenants Association, San Diego Unified Port District, San Diego boatyard, marina, and recreational boater representatives, California Professional Divers Association, Environmental Health Coalition, San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, Department of Boating and Waterways, University of California Sea Grant Extension Program. Non-voting members: The United States Navy, Department of Pesticide Regulation.

Economic Study Report

The UCSGEP and UCSD Department of Economics prepared the study report “Transitioning to Non-Metal Antifouling Paints On Marine Recreational Boats in San Diego Bay” (Richard Carson, Maria Damon, Leigh Johnson, Jamie Miller (Gonzalez)) which incorporated data from scientific and other literature.  In addition, over 200 boat owners and numerous boat repair yard, underwater hull cleaning and paint/coating companies provided extensive technical and financial data that laid a foundation for the economic analysis. The report addresses the implications of potential policies to reduce the use of copper in hull coatings on recreational boats in San Diego Bay.

The booklet “Making Dollars and Sense of Nontoxic Antifouling Paints for Boats” summarizes the findings of the above economic study on nontoxic bottom paints and is available by contacting ltjohnson@ucdavis.edu

(Funding Acknowledgments and Affirmative Action Statement)

Download additional information:  "UCSGEP-SD Fact Sheet 04-1 May 2004 - Nontoxic Antifouling Strategies Economic Incentives Study"

On October 4, 2003, the University of California Sea Grant Extension Program (UCSGEP) held its second Nontoxic Antifouling Strategies Field Day. The Field Day was hosted by the Shelter Island Boatyard where four of the six project boats were hauled for the public to view and inspect. A total of 80 people attended the Field Day including numerous individual boaters and people who represented 23 organizations.

Boat owners and industry representatives discussed their experiences with nontoxic boat bottom paints while UCSGEP representatives summarized their findings from inspecting the boats and insights from the diver report data that had been collected during the project. The UCSGEP presented the results of the demonstration project from the past year and boat owners, underwater hull cleaners, and boatyard representatives participating in the project were available for questions. Results from the economic study on incentives for boaters to use nontoxic antifouling strategies were also presented by the UCSGEP to the public.

The field day is part of the demonstration conducted by the UCSGEP on nontoxic bottom paints which are alternatives to traditional, copper-based bottom paints used by recreational boats. The build-up of copper from bottom paints is harmful to different life stages of mussels, oysters, scallops, sea urchins and crustaceans which are part of San Diego Bay's food chain.

Total Maximum Daily Load studies that were conducted by the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board for the Shelter Island Yacht Basin in San Diego Bay and by the US EPA for Newport Bay found toxic levels of dissolved copper. Other areas with elevated levels of dissolved copper include other parts of San Diego Bay, Marina Del Rey and Oceanside Harbor.

The UCSGEP would like to help boaters learn about nontoxic antifouling strategies to prepare them for potential restrictions on copper-based bottom paints. Bringing awareness to the boating community about which nontoxic bottom paints are available and about the benefits of switching to them is a priority for the UCSGEP.

Field Day 2003 was a success! People who attended reported they learned about the copper pollution problem and about the alternatives to copper-based paints. In addition, 82% of those who completed an evaluation at the Field Day indicated that the event increased their interest in trying out nontoxic bottom paint. This is significant in that regulations on copper-based bottom paints may occur due to the elevated dissolved copper levels in some areas.

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Funding for this program has been provided in part by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) pursuant to assistance Agreement No. C9-989697-00-0 and any amendments thereto which has been awarded to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) for the implementation of California’s Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the USEPA or the SWRCB, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

Funding for these programs has been provided in part by the California Department of Boating and Waterways under Agreement No. 01-106-068 and Agreement No. 02-106-087. The first award, mandated by Senate Bill 315, is now Chapter 469 of the California Water Code.

Funding for this program has been provided in part by the National Sea Grant College Program of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under NOAA Grant #NA06RG0142, project number A/EA-1, through the California Sea Grant College Program and in part by the California State Resources Agency, the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources and Center for Pest, Management, Research and Extension, the Renewable Resources Extension Act, and the County of San Diego. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of any of these organizations.

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