title: The impact and control of biofouling in marine aquaculture: a review.
abstract: Biofouling in marine aquaculture is a specific problem where both the target culture species and/or infrastructure are exposed to a diverse array of fouling organisms, with significant production impacts. In shellfish aquaculture the key impact is the direct fouling of stock causing physical damage, mechanical interference, biological competition and environmental modification, while infrastructure is also impacted. In contrast, the key impact in finfish aquaculture is the fouling of infrastructure which restricts water exchange, increases disease risk and causes deformation of cages and structures. Consequently, the economic costs associated with biofouling control are substantial. Conservative estimates are consistently between 5-10% of production costs (equivalent to US$ 1.5 to 3 billion yr(-1)), illustrating the need for effective mitigation methods and technologies. The control of biofouling in aquaculture is achieved through the avoidance of natural recruitment, physical removal and the use of antifoulants. However, the continued rise and expansion of the aquaculture industry and the increasingly stringent legislation for biocides in food production necessitates the development of innovative antifouling strategies. These must meet environmental, societal, and economic benchmarks while effectively preventing the settlement and growth of resilient multi-species consortia of biofouling organisms.
authors: Sustainable Aquaculture Laboratory - Temperate and Tropical (SALTT), Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, 3010 Victoria, Australia. fitridge@unimelb.edu.au
authors: Isla
authors: I
authors: Fitridge
authors: Tim
authors: T
authors: Dempster
authors: Jana
authors: J
authors: Guenther
authors: Rocky
authors: R
authors: de Nys
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000845:Annelida / Q000187:drug effects; D017756:Aquaculture / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods*; D057219:Biofouling / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001835:Body Weight; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D003300:Copper / Q000494:pharmacology; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods; D008386:Marine Biology / Q000379:methods; D012758:Shellfish / Q000191:economics* / Q000469:parasitology; D014419:Turbellaria / Q000187:drug effects; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D004202:Disinfectants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D003300:Copper