Control and Management of Ships’ Biofouling

Biofouling on ships entering the water of IMO Member States may result in the establishment of invasive aquatic species which may pose threats to human, animal and plant life, economic and cultural activities, and the aquatic environment.

The potential for invasive aquatic species transferred through biofouling to cause harm has been recognised by:

• the IMO
• the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
• several UNEP Regional Seas Conventions (e.g., the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution)
• the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC), and
• the Secretariat of the Pacific Region Environment Program (SPREP).