Use antifouling coatings on the surfaces of vessels and anthropogenic structures

Overall effectiveness category No evidence found (no assessment)
Number of studies: 0
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How is the evidence assessed?

Effectiveness

not assessed
Certainty

not assessed
Harms

not assessed

Calculating overall effectiveness category

Background information and definitions

Non-native, invasive and other problematic species can impact on native subtidal benthic invertebrate species through predation, competition for resources (food & space), contamination (for pathogens and diseases), or hybridization (through reproduction) (Molnar et al. 2008; Bishop et al. 2010). Non-native species can become attached to the hard surfaces of vessels and anthropogenic structures, such as ship hull, anchors and chains, oil rigs, wind farms, pontoons, or buoys, which then act as “stepping stones” for their introduction into new environments (Adams et al. 2014; Bulleri & Airoldi 2005; Mineur et al. 2012). Using antifouling coating can potentially prevent the attachment of non-native (and native) species, hence reduce the risk of introduction to new location and the risk non-native species pose to native subtidal benthic invertebrates.

Evidence for other interventions related to antifouling coatings are summarised under “Threat: Invasive and other problematic species, genes and diseases – Use non-toxic antifouling coatings on surfaces” and “Restrict the use of tributyltin or other toxic antifouling coatings”.

_{Adams T.P., Miller R.G., Aleynik D. & Burrows M.T. (2014) Offshore marine renewable energy devices as stepping stones across biogeographical boundaries. Journal of Applied Ecology, 51, 330–338.}

_{Bulleri F. & Airoldi L. (2005) Artificial marine structures facilitate the spread of a non‐indigenous green alga, Codium fragile ssp. tomentosoides, in the north Adriatic Sea. Journal of Applied Ecology, 42, 1063–1072.}

_{Bishop M.J., Krassoi F.R., McPherson R.G., Brown K.R., Summerhayes S.A., Wilkie E.M. & O’Connor W.A. (2010) Change in wild-oyster assemblages of Port Stephens, NSW, Australia, since commencement of non-native Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) aquaculture. Marine and Freshwater Research, 61, 714–723.}

_{Mineur F., Cook E.J., Minchin D., Bohn K., MacLeod A. & Maggs C.A. (2012) Changing coasts: Marine aliens and artificial structures. Pages 198–243 in: Oceanography and Marine Biology. CRC Press.}

_{Molnar J.L., Gamboa R.L., Revenga C. & Spalding M.D. (2008) Assessing the global threat of invasive species to marine biodiversity. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 6, 485–492.}

Key messages

We found no studies that evaluated the effects of using antifouling coatings on the surfaces of vessels and anthropogenic structures on subtidal benthic invertebrate populations.

‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this intervention during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore, we have no evidence to indicate whether or not the intervention has any desirable or harmful effects.

About key messages

Key messages provide a descriptive index to studies we have found that test this intervention.

Studies are not directly comparable or of equal value. When making decisions based on this evidence, you should consider factors such as study size, study design, reported metrics and relevance of the study to your situation, rather than simply counting the number of studies that support a particular interpretation.

Please cite as:

Lemasson, A.J., Pettit, L.R., Smith, R.K. & Sutherland, W.J. (2020) Subtidal Benthic Invertebrate Conservation. Pages 635-732 in: W.J. Sutherland, L.V. Dicks, S.O. Petrovan & R.K. Smith (eds) What Works in Conservation 2020. Open Book Publishers, Cambridge, UK.

Where has this evidence come from?

List of journals searched by synopsis

All the journals searched for all synopses

This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:

Subtidal Benthic Invertebrate Conservation

Related Actions

Actions	Effectiveness	Category
Use antifouling coatings on the surfaces of vessels and anthropogenic structures Action Link	No evidence found (no assessment)	Synopsis Link
Clean the hull, anchor and chain of commercial and recreational vessels Action Link	No evidence found (no assessment)	Synopsis Link
Limit, cease or prohibit ballast water exchange in specific areas Action Link	No evidence found (no assessment)	Synopsis Link