Environmental Protection Authority of
New Zealand (EPA)

Oxygen + The Ocean

Around 25% of the oxygen we breathe is generated by rainforests.
50 to 75% of the oxygen we breathe is produced by the ocean and phytoplankton that live in it.
One type of phytoplankton alone, Prochlorococcus, provides the oxygen for one in every five breaths we take.
The health of all organisms in the ocean is connected to the health of phytoplankton and their role in oxygen production and carbon dioxide conversion

New Zealand Geographic 2023

These are the reasons we must stop destroying the ocean habitat by decreasing pollution from toxic products.

Biocides

The toxic effect of biocides leeching from antifouling paints has been widely studied …. its sublethal effects on ocean species have been under-reported.
Only a few studies have addressed the possible effect of biocides on non-target species, including phytoplankton. The results show a decrease in growth, inhibition in cell number and a decrease in photosynthetic activity i.e., oxygen production and carbon dioxide conversion.

National Centre for Biotechnology Information 2012

Photo Credit: Arno Gasteiger - New Zealand Geographic

“In further initiatives to protect New Zealand’s marine environment and human health, EPA prohibited the use of six ablative (eroding) antifouling paints, effective 1 July 2023.”

Depleted Sea Floor, Auckland, New Zealand

The Environmental Protection Authority of New Zealand partners with businesses, government and the community to reduce pollution and waste, protect human health, and prevent degradation of the environment.

The regulation of antifouling paint is the responsibility of EPA [Surface Coatings and Colourants - Hazardous Substances (Hazard Classification) Notice 2020.
The Definition of Antifouling Paint (EPA Schedule 2: Interpretation) is: “A paint used to prevent the build-up of aquatic organisms on the hulls of vessels or other surfaces in contact with water, by the slow release of biocides.”
Coppercoat is classified as a non-eroding product. It does not release biocides into the marine environment to prevent fouling by aquatic organisms.
Coppercoat does not fit within the EPA definition of an antifouling paint.
Coppercoat Multi-Season, Commercial and Superyacht products are assigned to and fully comply with the EPA Surface Coatings and Colourants Group Standard HSR002670.