Project reports
This document provides the COMPLETE project outputs and deliverables related to biofouling management in the Baltic Sea Region, contributing to the implementation of the IMO Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species (resolution MEPC.207(62)) which are currently under review (MEPC.1/Circ.811), and the Guidance for minimizing the transfer of invasive aquatic species as biofouling (hull fouling) for recreational craft (MEPC.1/Circ.792) in the Baltic Sea Region. The concept of the Regional Baltic Biofouling Management Roadmap was already submitted to HELCOM MARITIME 19-2019, being welcomed and supported, indicating the way forward for the further development of the concept into the attached proposal for a Biofouling Roadmap
This guidance provides biofouling management recommendations for recreational boaters to help minimize the risk of transferring non-indigenous species (NIS) from biofouling as well as niche areas in the Baltic Sea. The guide aims to share information of such practices that reduce the biofouling on recreational vessels and boat trailers which contributes to reducing the potential of NIS spreading in new habitats.
This protocol has been developed as a part of the COMPLETE-project (Completing management options in the Baltic Sea Region to reduce risk of invasive species introduction by shipping) funded by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme. The aim of this protocol is to identify the potential risk of non-indigenous species (NIS) transfer by leisure boats and trailers in the Baltic Sea region. The sampling methods were tested in Finland during summer 2018, and the final protocol was developed according to the field-testing experience.