The UK government has announced that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) would increase ecological safeguards at sea through new laws controlling ship antifouling systems.

The new UK regulation enforces an international agreement that prohibits the use of cybutryne in marine paints, which has been shown to damage marine flora and wildlife and can enter the food chain.

The laws, which go into effect on 10 May, apply to all UK-flagged ships, wherever they sail, as well as ships flagged by other nations when in UK or controlled seas. They also preserve the current restriction on equally dangerous organotin chemicals.

The aim is to reduce or eradicate contamination from such compounds in UK waterways, therefore assisting the worldwide response to the problem.

The Merchant Shipping (Anti-Fouling Systems) Regulations 2024 have been legally adopted by the MCA, based on the modified International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) convention.

In addition to addressing this form of marine pollution, the new measures simplify rules by consolidating them into a single location, making it easier to keep up with future changes.

MCA Chief Executive, Virginia McVea, said: “We know these substances are proven to have harmful ecological effects, so this action is important to protect our environment. Through these regulations, the UK is playing its part in a global effort to safeguard marine ecosystems.”

In April, UK Maritime Minister, Lord Davies, launched the bidding process for £1.5 million ($1.9 million) funding to build zero-emission shipping routes.