Members of Shipping Australia’s Policy Council met in Brisbane recently and they were presented with an update of the Federal Government’s biofouling management requirements.
Biofouling, according to ocean data products company Sofar, is: “the accumulation of microorganisms, plants, algae, or small animals on wet surfaces that have a mechanical function, causing structural or other functional deficiencies”.
There are two types – macrofouling, which is the accumulation of relatively larger sea creatures such as barnacles, and, micro-fouling – microscopic organisms that tend to create a slime layer.
Fouling is frowned upon as it can lead to the spread of marine organisms around the world into environments in which they are alien. Alien marine species can have devastating effects on local marine animals, fauna, and ecosystems.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry discussed the phased implementation of the new rules, including mandatory pre-arrival reporting, data gathering, upgrades to systems, and, as of December 2023, enforcement policies.
Accepted management options include evidence of an effective biofouling management plan, or cleaning of all biofouling within 30 days of arriving in Australia (including its territories) or the implementation of a Department pre-approved biofouling management plan.
As ships travel around the globe, Shipping Australia is keen to emphasise that local rules must be consistent with global rules.
Shipping Australia thanks the Department for its presentation.
