Effects of Fouling Management and Net Coating Strategies on Reared Gilthead Sea Bream Juveniles

In aquaculture, biofouling management is a difficult and expensive issue. Cuprous oxide has been commonly used to prevent fouling formation. To cheapen net management and reduce the use of copper, the industry has proposed several alternatives. Currently, polyurethane coatings are being explored and...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Comas, Jordi|||0000-0001-5257-7029, Parra, David|||0000-0002-3634-7087, Balasch Alemany, Joan Carles|||0000-0002-0771-3746, Tort Bardolet, Lluís|||0000-0002-3907-722X
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2021
País:España
Institución:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:237459
Acceso en línea:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/237459
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.3390/ani11030734
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Fouling
Aquaculture nets
Copper
Cleaning strategy
Sparus aurata
Descripción
Sumario:In aquaculture, biofouling management is a difficult and expensive issue. Cuprous oxide has been commonly used to prevent fouling formation. To cheapen net management and reduce the use of copper, the industry has proposed several alternatives. Currently, polyurethane coatings are being explored and commercially implemented. With this alternative, net cleaning is done in situ, reducing the number of nets necessary to raise a batch, thus ideally reducing operational costs. This pilot study compared this new strategy to the use of cuprous oxide. The results show that nets treated with antifouling perform better and bioaccumulation of copper in fish tissues do not pose health risks to fish. Alternatives involving on-site cleaning need to improve efficiency. Although the conditions of this work are not completely comparable to commercial aquaculture conditions, the results might indicate the strengths and constrains of the solutions tested in real life.