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Program Background and Outreach

The Regional Water Quality Control Board, a state agency, is requiring a 76 percent reduction in copper loading into San Diego Bay by 2022. Discovery of an effective, non-copper, alternative paint allows for a clean bay while keeping the existing number of slips – more than 7,000 – in San Diego Bay marinas.

The Port of San Diego’s copper education and outreach is designed to promote a clean bay and clean marinas. Our goal is to educate the boating community by:

• Informing boaters of the water quality problems and impacts of copper hull paints
• Increasing awareness of eco-friendly hull paint options.
• Providing information on funding opportunities available for hull paint conversions.

How does copper pollute San Diego Bay?

Marine organisms, barnacles, algae, and sponges, etc. that attach to stationary objects underwater are commonly known as “fouling.” Boat hulls are an ideal surface for fouling to grow. Fouling creates problems by limiting speed and maneuverability, which increases fuel consumption. Boat owners typically choose an anti-fouling hull paint to keep their hulls free of growth.

Copper is a component of most anti-fouling boat hull paints.

Most anti-fouling hull paints are made with copper which acts as a biocide. This means that it can slow or stop the growth of living things. The presence of copper in hull paint creates an undesirable attaching surface, thereby repelling fouling growth. Copper acts similarly to pesticides you might use on your lawn to prevent infestations of insects or weeds. Currently, copper is the most commonly used biocide in hull paints.

Copper-based hull paints cause problems for the environment

Copper has recently been found to be prevalent in the water throughout California’s marina areas. This biocide can build up in small marine creatures, slowing or altering their development. Disturbances in the food chain can ultimately affect local wildlife such as fish, pelicans and sea lions. Growing concern over the presence of copper pollution has prompted extensive studies which have shown that copper anti-fouling hull paints are a major source. These research findings have prompted regulations in San Diego Bay.

•  Copper Hot Spots San Diego Bay - Map (514 kB)

A regulation requires a reduction of copper in the Shelter Island area of San Diego Bay

The Shelter Island Yacht Basin has been identified as an area where high copper levels exceed federal and state standards. A regulation requires the Port, marinas, and boaters to reduce copper pollution in this area by 76 percent by 2022. Reducing the primary source by eliminating copper anti-fouling hull paints is key to solving this environmental problem. Many other types of paints are available today and can improve the health of San Diego Bay’s ecosystem.

A non-biocide hull paint is an alternative product that protects the boat hull without the use of polluting chemicals. For example, some non-biocide hull paints create a slippery surface on the boat hull which makes it difficult for fouling to attach.

Project Partners

The Port has been working with project partners and stakeholders to conduct education efforts for the boating community. The materials that are developed are designed to compliment the outreach previously developed by the UC Coastal Resources Program-San Diego County (formerly known as the UC SeaGrant Extension Program).

Additional information

• More Resources on Nontoxic Antifouling