Abstract Extensive survey data for butyltins are reported for Mediterranean coastal waters together with the first phenyltin concentrations from the region. Elevated levels of tributyltin (TBT) are reported for most marina/harbour waters. In the great majority of cases, the ‘no observable effect’ aqueous concentration of 20ng litre−1 is exceeded. The TBT concentrations encountered are comparable to those reported in a previous MEDPOL pilot survey. This questions the efficacy of current legislation in the Mediterranean. The movement of foreign vessels painted outside of the scope of legislation offers an explanation for this observation and endorses the need for region-wide control measures and enforcement. The Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention have recently agreed to adopt such control measures to protect the Mediterranean; these are described and discussed. Concerning triphenyltin, concentrations of 21–94 ng litre−1 are reported, with most of the compound associated with the particulate phase. The distribution in samples collected from marinas and in proximity to dry docks attributes the origin of the compound to antifouling paint leachates.
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