Effects of the Use of Tributyltin Antifoulants in Mariculture

Abstract

Tributyltin antifoulants have been used on cages at marine fish farms in fjordic sea lochs in Scotland. It has been demonstrated from field observations that the release of TBT from these paints can adversely effect the growth of Pacific oysters, cause enhanced TBT concentrations in sea water, and contribute to the development of imposex by dogwhelks. Imposex development has been found to be a particularly sensitive indicator of TBT contamination.