In a statement on October 10, 2006, WWF (World Wildlife Fund) urged nations participating in a meeting of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to ratify legislation aimed at prohibiting harmful chemicals in shipping industry paints, specifically the toxic substance Tributyltin (TBT). The organization highlighted that TBT pollution is not only affecting marine ecosystems from the Arctic to Antarctica but is also entering the human food chain, posing a serious health risk.
WWF presented a paper during the IMO meeting, detailing the detrimental effects of TBT on various marine species, including mussels, oysters, clams, and more. They noted that marine wildlife such as skipjack tuna and harbor porpoises are also severely impacted. According to Dr. Simon Walmsley, Head of WWF-UK’s Marine Programme, it is unconscionable that TBT is still in use nearly four decades after its detrimental effects were first recognized, and five years after legislation intended to ban it was agreed upon. Alarmingly, only 17 out of 166 member countries have ratified this significant legislation, despite overwhelming support from the shipping industry for a ban on TBT. The report stresses that the primary reason for the continued use of TBT is the actions of unscrupulous operators, as major paint manufacturers have phased out TBT production since 2003 in favor of safer alternatives.
TBT has been a widely used anti-fouling agent in marine paints to prevent the growth of organisms on ship hulls but has been demonstrated to disrupt endocrine function and cause severe ecological harm. Its negative impact includes altering the sexual characteristics of marine organisms like dog whelks and has led to significant crop failures in oyster farming in France and the closure of shellfish farms. It contaminates not only coastal environments but also open ocean areas.
Fortunately, by 2008, the European Union planned to implement legislation prohibiting TBT on EU-flagged vessels, marking a significant step toward environmental protection by preventing any ship painted with TBT from entering EU ports. This regulation is expected to further mitigate the widespread marine pollution and its associated risks.
WWF’s call to action emphasizes the urgent need for all member countries of the IMO to take responsibility for ratifying legislation that protects marine life and human health from the continued use of TBT. The issues raised at the meeting highlight a critical moment in global conservation efforts that stress the interplay between maritime industry practices and environmental stewardship.
