Non-indigenous species from hull fouling in Danish marine waters January 2016 Project group: Title: LITEHAUZ ApS Non-indigenous species from hull fouling in Pernille Bohn, Danish marine waters Simone L. Hansen, Jens K. Møller Frank Stuer-Lauridsen Published by: Editing The Danish Nature Agency Ucb/Lomu Haraldsgade 53 DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø Denmark www.nst.dk ISBN no. 978-87-7175-558-9 Year: 2016 Disclaimer: The Danish Nature Agency publishes reports and papers about research and development projects within the environmental sector, financed by the Agency. The contents of this publication do not necessarily represent the official views of the Danish Nature Agency. By publishing this report, the Danish Nature Agency expresses that the content represents an important contribution to the related discourse on Danish environmental policy. Sources must be acknowledged. 2 Non-indigenous species from hull fouling in Danish marine waters Contents Preface ............................................................................................................................... 5 Summary............................................................................................................................ 6 Sammenfatning .................................................................................................................. 9 Abbreviations .................................................................................................................... 12 1. Introduction .............................................................................................................. 13 2. Hull fouling ................................................................................................................ 15 2.1 Biofouling on ships................................................................................................ 15 2.2 Non-indigenous species via hull to Danish marine waters ......................................18 2.3 Hot spots for hull borne non-indigenous species ................................................... 19 2.3.1 Dry-docks ..................................................................................................................................... 20 2.3.2 In-water hull cleaning ................................................................................................................. 20 2.3.3 Ports and marinas........................................................................................................................ 20 2.3.4 Ports of refuge and STS areas ..................................................................................................... 20 2.3.5 Stepping stone substrata ............................................................................................................. 23 2.4 Diversity of hull fouling ........................................................................................ 23 2.5 Biofouling transfer - characterization of three ship categories .............................. 24 2.5.1 Merchant fleet including passenger vessels ............................................................................... 24 2.5.2 Fishing vessels ............................................................................................................................. 26 2.5.3 Recreational crafts ....................................................................................................................... 26 3. In-water cleaning ...................................................................................................... 29 3.1 To clean or not to clean......................................................................................... 29 3.2 Hull cleaning in Denmark ..................................................................................... 29 3.2.1 Actors ........................................................................................................................................... 29 Non-indigenous species from hull fouling in Danish marine waters 3 3.2.2 Licenses for in-water hull cleaning ............................................................................................. 30 3.2.3 Practical experiences ................................................................................................................... 30 3.3 Cost of hull cleaning .............................................................................................. 31 3.4 Neighbouring countries ......................................................................................... 31 4. Monitoring ................................................................................................................ 34 4.1 Monitoring of NIS from ship hulls ........................................................................ 34 4.1.1 Danish monitoring programmes of marine waters .................................................................... 34 4.1.2 Ad hoc monitoring ....................................................................................................................... 35 4.1.3 Regional monitoring programmes .............................................................................................. 35 4.2 Biofouling risk assessment tools ........................................................................... 35 4.3 How to monitor for MSFD D-2? ............................................................................ 36 5. Antifouling technologies ........................................................................................... 39 5.1 Best available technology ..................................................................................... 39 5.2 Pre-fouling technologies: Vessel antifouling systems ............................................ 40 5.2.1 Conventional antifouling systems containing biocides .............................................................. 40 5.2.2 Other antifouling coatings........................................................................................................... 41 5.3 Post-fouling mitigation: Technologies for in-water biofouling removal .................. 41 5.3.1 Other technologies ....................................................................................................................... 44 5.4 Improvement: Capture and removal of solid waste ............................................... 45 5.5 Examples of commercially available in-water cleaning solutions .......................... 46 6. Conclusions and recommendations ........................................................................... 47 6.1 Conclusions .......................................................................................................... 47 6.2 Recommendations ............................................................................................... 48 References ....................................................................................................................... 49 Appendices ....................................................................................................................... 54 4 Non-indigenous species from hull fouling in Danish marine waters Preface This report was funded by the Danish Nature Agency, Ministry of Environment and Food, and the work was carried out from September to December 2015. The report was compiled by Pernille Bohn (project manager), Simone L. Hansen, Jens K. Møller, and Frank Stuer-Lauridsen from LITEHAUZ Aps. The objectives have been to assess the possible contribution from ship’s hulls and anti-biofouling activities to the impacts of non-indigenous species (NIS) in Danish waters and describe methods to address this. In the context of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) this is an input to monitoring programme targeting (MSFD Descriptor 2; or simply D2) on the way to fulfilment of the overarching MSFD target of ‘good environmental status’. The report provide the following: 1. An overview of the extent of the potential problem, made by the following measures: a. Investigate if NIS imported via biofouling on ship hulls (commercial, fishing and recreational vessels) can be expected to be a problem and where they are located. b. Investigate if the imported NIS can be measured and if knowledge exists that will be useful in the future monitoring and management of NIS. 2. Identification of technologies and methods that can reduce the impact of ship biofouling. a. Name relevant technologies and methods used for in-water hull cleaning. Information on the issue of hull fouling as a source of invasive species has been collected from a number of different sources. Interviews with stakeholders have been conducted via phone or e-mail. The interviewees from Denmark were employees from municipal authorities, staff from hull cleaning companies, marina and shipyard representatives, shipowners, and representatives of various NGOs and industry organisations. Information about the situation in neighbouring countries has generally been obtained via e-mail correspondence with representatives from the respective government agencies, providing information on the procedures and guidelines that are followed. Non-indigenous species from hull fouling in Danish marine waters 5 Summary Biofouling starts as soon as an unprotected surface is immersed in water. Ship hulls are therefore covered with protective antifouling coatings, but this only serves to delay the process and eventually ships inadvertently transfer living organisms around the globe on their hulls. Although the ship’s