Antifouling Paints, Biocides and Marine Pollution

This document outlines the use of antifouling paints on ship hulls, their biocidal mechanisms, and associated environmental and health risks. It explains that biocides leach into seawater to deter fouling organisms but can cause abnormalities, imposex, and mortality in marine life, and toxicity or carcinogenicity for humans. It identifies poor careening practices and illegal products as additional pollution sources. It summarizes French measures under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive to equip marinas with treatment systems and to pursue biocide-free alternatives, given costs and leakage concerns. It catalogs non-biocidal coatings, physical and preventive methods, and emerging technologies, and proposes regional cooperation to align best practices and authorizations.