Port of San Diego hopes Blue Economy could help reduce copper pollution

SAN DIEGO — Enacting a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) policy might not be the only way to reduce copper levels in San Diego Bay – or any other harbor for that matter. The Port of San Diego, angling to be on the cutting edge of environmental policy, is moving forward with its efforts to reduce copper pollution in the harbor by relying upon blue tech innovation. Potential breakthroughs in developing copper reduction technology and non-copper boat bottom paints could be fostered by the port district’s incubator plan. The plan, consistent with Blue Economy principles, would direct investments into the creation, development and initial sustainability of environmentally friendly policies. Port district staff hopes to achieve its vision by combining investments in sustainability projects with copper reduction technology. “There are many blue tech companies exploring technologies to effectively remediate contaminants in marine waters and sediments. As a result, some of these efforts have a direct co-benefit to the district’s environmental programs,” port district staff stated. “[We] recently began exploring ways in which blue tech could help reduce pollution in San Diego Bay.” San Diego has been addressing copper pollution in its harbor since 2005, when the Regional Water Quality Control Board enacted a TMDL policy. Port...