Current status: Closed
Open on June 3, 2021 and will be closed on August 2, 2021.
Transport Canada is working to protect Canadian waters by limiting the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species through marine shipping. One of the main ways that invasive species arrive in Canadian waters is from vessel biofouling. Cleaning a vessel in-water can be an important part of managing biofouling but can also release organisms and contaminants into the environment.
Transport Canada is collaborating with stakeholders and the public to develop Voluntary Guidance for Relevant Authorities on In-Water Cleaning of Vessels. Public consultation on a draft of the voluntary guidance is being held on Let’s Talk Transportation.
You can get a copy of the draft voluntary guidance below. Questions about the draft voluntary guidance can be directed to biofouling-encrassementbiologique@tc.gc.ca.
Draft Voluntary Guidance for Relevant Authorities on In-Water Cleaning of Vessels
(PDF, 2.55 MB)
Join in: how to participate
Share your ideas
Register at Let’s Talk Transportation to provide your comments on discussion questions. You can also upload a document through the Submission tab on Consultation on In-water cleaning of vessels.
Who is the focus of this consultation?
All Canadians are invited to participate in the online consultations.
Key questions for discussion
- How is the proposed Voluntary Guidance relevant to you, and how would you implement it?
- What are some of the industry’s best practices to manage biofouling?
- What other options can we look at to support the development of an environmentally safe in-water cleaning industry?
Related information
- 2011 Guidelines for the control and management of ship’s biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species
- What We Heard: Voluntary guidance on cleaning vessels in-water
Contact us
Transport Canada
Tower C, Place de Ville
330 Sparks St.
Ottawa ON K1A 0N5
Toll-free Telephone: 1-866-995-9737
Local telephone: 613-990-2309
TTY: 1-888-675-6863
Facsimile: 613-954-4731
Email: biofouling-encrassementbiologique@tc.gc.ca