DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF EFFECTIVE AND ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY ANTIFOULING PAINTS

www.aquabt.com

T. Bardócz*, M. L. Scicluna, S. A. Hunter, L. E. Doshev, M. M. Maranhão, S. B. Larroze and T. P. Teixeira

ABOUT US

• AquaBioTech Group is based in Malta, but with globalexperience initially focused across Europe, the Mediterranean &Middle East, although rapidly expanding its client base to includeclients and projects in over fifty-five countries.

• The main team of consultants based in Malta at the AquaBioTechGroup number over thirty (30) personnel, all consideredspecialists in their relevant fields of work and are recruited fromover twelve countries.

• There is also a team of staff based in key market countries and thecompany has also developed an extended network of experts allover the world.

• We have an established internship program that has operated forthe past twelve years that has given over 100 individuals fromfourteen countries training and experience in aquaculturetechnologies and marine sciences.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

• Aquaculture Consulting & Devel’t

• Recirculating Aquaculture Systems

• Aquarium & Ornamentals

• Aquatic ecotoxicology

• Research & Development

• Nutrition & Vetriceutical testing

• Fisheries and processing

• Marine Surveying & GIS

• Market Research & Intelligence

• Biosecurity & Risk Assessments

Importance of biofouling

• Marine biological fouling also termedas biofouling is commonly defined asthe undesirable accumulation ofmicroorganisms, animals and plantson artificial surfaces immersed inseawater.

• Both marine and aquacultureindustries are experiencing largeeconomic losses due to the impact ofbiofouling.

Biofouling on fish farms

Effects on farming• Water flow through nets can be reduced by 30 – 40%

(Willoughby, 1999) • Diameter of the net twine can increase four-fold (Beveridge,

1991), increase in weight of infrastructure• Competition for food and pathogen vector for stock species• Increase in production costs up to 80 000€ per farm and

year

Antifouling strategies• Cleaning by physical removal (Salmon industry)• Biological control: e.g. Fish, crabs, e.g., sea urchins, snails• Chemical control: Acid, coatings (e.g. Coatings (e.g.copper,

copper oxide, zinc oxide)

Recent trends in mariculture

Move to offshore• >2 km generally within continental shelf zones, possibly

open ocean• >50 m depth• Special submersible cages and technology Limited possibilities for physical antifouling

Combined use of marine space• Aquaculture and Blue Growth energy sector

– Common space– Common infrastructure

• Floating aquaculture and solar panels Increased fouling on the energy infrastructure

Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA)

• Combined production of fish and other aquatic organisms• Fish production provides food and nutrients for the others Chemical antifouling control usually not possible

AquaBioTech approach to antifouling

Research of new antifouling materials• BYEFOULING project • New materials and methods applicable for cages with new

partners• Co-operation with producers

Ecotoxicology research on new materials• Fully equipped and experienced labs• Standardised and specialised tests concerning toxicity and

bioaccumulation• Special experience ecotox tests on antifouling materials

Testing of new antifouling treatments• Laboratory tests• Static Immersion Tests• Offshore tests

Laboratory tests of antifouling

• Algae growth inhibition• Biofilm growth inhibition• Barnacle settlement assay• Bryozoan settlement assay• Mussel attachment inhibition assay

Field testing of antifouling

Field testing of antifouling

Offshore testing

Static Immersion Testing

Static Immersion Testing

• Efficacy statitc immersion testing represents a worst case situation compared to real life conditions.

• Fouling intensity is generally recognised as being greater near the coast (marina enviroment) relative to the offshore.

Offshore testing

Licensed offshore marine experimental site area which is used for applied research and testing for a range of actions including • testing of anti-fouling

materials, water quality• monitoring equipment and

other oceanographic• instrumentation / research

activities.

CONTACT DETAILS

Tamás Bardóczthb@aquabt.com

AquaBioTech GroupCentral ComplexNaggar StreetTarga Gap, MostaMST 1761MALTA G.C.

Tel +356 2258 4100Website: www.aquabt.com