Juneau - The Alaska Senate voted 17 to 1 on Friday to approve Senate Bill 266, legislation which bans the use of tributyltin (TBT) paints on large marine vessels such as cruise ships, oil tankers and factory trawlers. SB 266 now moves to the House for consideration.

"SB 266 will help protect Alaska's water and sea life by phasing out the use of TBT," said bill sponsor Senator Loren Leman (R-Anchorage). "This marine anti-fouling paint is used on the hulls of ships to prevent the attachment of barnacles and algae. It is very effective for this purpose - but also very poisonous to other forms of sea life. Over the past several years, a large body of research has demonstrated that shellfish are especially vulnerable to even low levels of TBT exposure. As vessels ply through Alaska waters, the TBT paint gradually leaches off, poisoning marine life and damaging the livelihood of fishermen."

Senator Leman noted that his legislation is consistent with a growing international consensus that use of TBT-based paints should be eliminated. "The use of TBT paints on most vessels was prohibited under an Alaska law enacted in 1987, but that statute created an exception for large vessels of 4,000 tons or more. SB 266 expands the ban to cover large vessels beginning January 1, 2001. Alternative paints exist, such as those used by the ferries of the Alaska Marine Highway System, and SB 266 will encourage their use. The International Maritime Organization has recommended a TBT ban by 2003."

SB 266 is supported by the Alaskan Shellfish Growers Association, and by the North West CruiseShip Association, a trade association of cruise ship operators.

• Sponsor Statement
• EPA Toxicology Study
  

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= Loren Leman, 50 K