State DPR reminds boaters of new copper paint regulations

SANTA BARBARA — California’s recreational boaters are officially navigating through a new set of regulations for antifouling paints, or AFPs. The state’s Department of Pesticide Regulations’ (DPR) new requirements officially went into effect on July 1, governing what types of bottom paints boaters could use without harming local marine life. A DPR representative attended the Santa Barbara Harbor Commission meeting on July 19 and spoke with commissioners about the new regulations and what it could mean for boaters. Paint manufacturers, under recently updated state law, are no long allowed to import or sell noncompliant paints to dealers of retailers. The manufacturers, however, can continue to sell or use noncompliant paints currently in stock through June 30, 2020. DPR officials implemented a new set of regulations surrounding AFPs on July 1; the new regulations govern “the rate at which copper can leach into the ocean from anti-fouling paints,” Santa Barbara Harbor Operations Manager Mick Kronman said. “This is a major regulatory step being undertaken,” Kronman continued. “These regulations … will govern the types of bottom paints distributed by manufacturers and available to boatyards and recreational boaters.” Aniela Burant, an environmental scientist with DPR, said copper from antifouling paints is considered a biocide and, hence, subject to...