This thesis deals with the problem of introduction of marine Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) by ships and boats through the biofouling vector and explores effectiveness of possible prevention measures. Fouling of a boat’s hull is a major problem for the shipping industry, as it increases resistance in the water in means of frictional drag, reducing ship speed and weakening structures. Additionally, vessel biofouling has a long widespread history as a transfer mechanism (known as vector) of NIS being considered one of the major vectors worldwide. In this context, the following research aims to study the differences in community structure and composition of fouling communities under different antifouling strategies with the objective of investigating the effectiveness of maintenance practices of recreational boats as well as its effectiveness when preventing the spread of NIS through hull attachment.
The experiment subject to this study takes place in one of the largest bays located on the eastern side of the Ligurian coast, Italy. The experiment design consists of three fixed factors: 1) antifouling paint, consisting of three levels (biocide paint, foul-release paint, no paint); 2) maintenance, with two levels (cleaning, no cleaning); and 3) time, with two levels (period 1 (T1), period 2 (T2)). Additionally, it was considered one random factor (site) with two levels. Overall, the experiment achieved the desired objective of investigating antifouling strategies and their effectiveness in preventing biofouling and NIS on the hull of recreational boats. The act of brushing the hull of vessels has shown to be the most effective method for the management of non-indigenous species spread. A long-term solution for preventing both biofouling and NIS settlement is the foul-release paint. Throughout this study, FR paint has shown to be effective in weakening fouling attachment and maintenance is effortless. Both foul-release coating and periodical maintenance combined can be the solution for the prevention of biofouling settlement in the hull of vessels, which decreases boat speed performance, and for NIS spread management, which are a threat to the health of local ecosystems.
