Background
We have reassessed a group of substances currently approved for use as antifouling paints in New Zealand.
Antifouling paints provide a number of benefits to New Zealand’s marine industry and biosecurity, but they can also have negative effects on the health of marine life and the people that use them.
Our reassessment has analysed the benefits and risks of these paints as well as information provided to us through public consultation. As part of our reassessment we have proposed a number of recommendations to help limit the negative effects of these substances.
Update - Tuesday 7 May 2013
Our updated recommendations, and a summary of the public submissions we received, are now available to read in our Evaluation and Review Report below:
Evaluation and Review Report (pdf, 1.42 mb)
You can also now read the report from Ngā Kaihautū Tikanga Taiao on antifouling paints below:
Ngā Kaihautū Tikanga Taiao Report (pdf, 223 kb)
Public hearing
A public hearing will be held on Tuesday 21 May and Wednesday 22 May from 10am to 5pm in Elliott Room 2 and 3, Auckland Crowne Plaza, 128 Albert Street, Auckland.
A schedule for the hearing is available at the link below:
Hearing schedule
What's next?
An expert decision-making committee will consider our reassessment application, information received during the consultation and at the hearing, and will make its final decision in June 2013.