ICOMIA to host marine biofouling workshops

ICOMIA will be hosting series of marine biofouling workshops, with the first one being held at Southampton International Boat Show on 12 September at 13:30.

A panel of experts will discuss the topic of ‘Clean hulls – essential for sustainable boating and marine biodiversity’, explaining how and why biofouling is so damaging for the marine environment and ways to prevent it.

There is a clear need to preserve aquatic biodiversity by controlling the threat from invasive species which can be transported on the underwater areas of ships and boats. Increasing water temperatures due to global warming is also increasing the risk from invasive species. The EU is reviewing its regulations to protect sensitive aquatic ecosystems and, says ICOMIA, Great Britain is likely to follow.

The interactive panel will discuss key issues with the audience, including the work at IMO (Glofouling program), approaches to prevent fouling and actions boatowners can take to prevent translocation of invasive species on their hulls and immersed areas.

Experts leading the discussion include William Yonge (IMO Glofouling project); Gareth Thomas (AkzoNobel /International Paint); Darren Jones (Sonihull); James Scott-Anderson (British Marine/The Green Blue) and Udo Kleinitz (ICOMIA).

The session will be moderated by Julian Hunter (ICOMIA).

Other marine biofouling workshops are scheduled to take place at Genoa, Barcelona, Metstrade and Stockholm.