Social Justice for Marine Life, Ban all copper bottom paints since it kills barnacles

[sdowney717]

"However, our research also shows that the risks to human and environmental health from some antifouling paints may be so significant that they should no longer be permitted for use in New Zealand," Ms Spring said.

Copper leaching into Milford Sound - Environment - NZ Herald News

Tourist boats in the pristine Milford Sound are contributing to a copper concentration so high it could kill 20 per cent of marine life in the port area, new research by NIWA suggests

Hey It can happen here too.
Perhaps the solution is not to ban the copper bottom paints. Rather make them 10 times more expensive to discourage their application on the bottom.
Marine sea life, those little tiny critters are in pain. They desire nothing more than to live in peace on the bottom of your boat. I mean you are encroaching on their territory.

[David M]

Do you have any reasonable alternative ideas to copper?

[44'cruisingcat]

Seems to be a specific problem in a specific area. Simple solution: Ban the tourist boats from milford sound.

The ban on TBT antifoul for pleasure craft is ridiculous. Ships still use it.

[vientoman]

Eco-Clad | Antifouling Boat Bottom Paint | Eco-Clad

E Paint Company - antifouling environmentally friendly boat paint

I'm considering ecoclad.

[sdowney717]

The Bottom Paint Decision | Eco-Clad

I wonder if it really works.
Then I wonder about the cost.

I get a bio film on items that sit in the water. The biofilm encourages barnacles to attach, so I dont know what is different about this paint.
Seems to depend on organisms already in the water.

[sdowney717]

They are getting complaints of it only lasting a few months, then you need haul and paint again.
Eco-Clad bottom paint review

Our opinion and recommendation is to stay away from Eco-Clad unless you plan on keeping your boat in fresh water. Your are much better off using a traditional high quality bottom paint.

[s/v 'Faith']

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

?....

The ban on TBT antifoul for pleasure craft is ridiculous. Ships still use it.

Be careful, I got called names for saying that.

In keeping with the spirit of the thread though, barnacles are people too!

[sailorboy1]

who was that famous fowl character, or yeah his name was Chicken Little

[44'cruisingcat]

I wonder how I survived copper plumbing.

[DumnMad]

Biosecurity in NZ are concerned that pleasure boaties are not putting copper on their boats often enough and are possibly spreading nasty animals into the more pristine areas.
We have the beginnings of a race war!

[S/V Antares]

We have been using non copper Pacifica Plus for two years. No barnacles but the "Fur" is pretty bad at the waterline. Easy enough to clean off. We put about 3500 miles a year on the boat so that is a lot of "Sluffing" so we have hauled each year.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

I wonder how I survived copper plumbing.

Yes...and imagine with lead solder as well! But please...pay no attention to the storm drains and farm run off..that's ok. Or should I say their lobbyist are stronger than recreational boaters...

[barnakiel]

OLD KIWI PC BS.

Ask them about those countless ships from China that deliver to the Warehouse, the PAKn'SAVE and the likes. They sure have no antifouling paints on their bottoms, mate.

Oh, that's choice!

b.

[capngeo]

OK, guys.... Although bottom paint is something any salt water boater needs, THIS FORUM does NOT need politics. Please step daintily along the politics line!

[sailorboy1]

I reads someone wants to outlaw cats there also!!!


the 4 legged ones