SACEP participated the IMO-GloFouling R&D Forum and ANZPAC Workshop in Melbourne, Australia

Dr. Sivaji Patra, Senior Programme Officer, South Asian Seas Programme, SACEP participated the IMO-GloFouling R&D Forum and ANZPAC Workshop in Melbourne, Australia. This workshop will aim to bring some clarification on optimum techniques for biofouling management and point us in the direction of promising future research and development to minimize or eliminate the spread of invasive by maritime industries.

Specific goals of the workshop are to:

• Explore the current and future maritime landscape as it relates to recent and proposed regulations, standard development and implementation, including uptake of the IMO Biofouling Guidelines;
• Discuss the needs of vessel operators to find a balance between improved vessel fuel efficiency, reduced maintenance costs, effective biosecurity risk mitigation and compliance with proposed standards;
• Explore perspectives from non-shipping sectors (e.g. aquaculture, ocean renewable energy, offshore, meteorological and other measuring instruments, etc.); and,
• Identify where the knowledge and policy gaps are that are hindering the implementation of effective biofouling management strategies and standards.