As some of our readers will know only too well, biofouling occurs when aquatic
organisms colonise underwater structures such as nets used in aquaculture.
Mussels, algae, hydroids and sea squirts will attach themselves to any
available space, then grow and reproduce until the nets on your farm are
thoroughly clogged.
Fouling of nets in and of itself is problem enough, but it also brings additional issues. These miniature forests of algae and ascidians provide a refuge and gathering place for hordes of salmon lice and other noxious parasites, such as amoebas and bacteria - a source of physical misery for the fish and economic misery for the farmer.
At Aquaculture UK in Aviemore, Scotland, International Aquafeed had the opportunity to attend a talk on this very subject, given by Björgólfur Hávarðsson from Steen Hansen. His presentation, 'In-situ cleaning: Clean nets, but what about the fish?' gave listeners a great deal to think about. Steen Hansen is a privately owned Norwegian company established in 1932.
The company initially focused on paints before turning its attention to the chemical impregnation of nets for aquaculture. By 1995 it was in all major aquaculture markets, and today it is a world leader in antifouling paints for the fish-farming industry. The company now boasts its own production facilities, laboratories and R&D facilities. They had a turnover approaching US$20 million in 2014, and gross profits of more than US$350,000 the same year. They currently have 23 employees.
Their aquaculture products include NetCoating PLUS™, protecting nets from abrasion and UV damage, and AquaNet® antifouling, which can be adapted to different environments and net materials. Steen Hansen's own specialists have also published a useful, informative, Net Care Certified booklet in collaboration with their partners, agents and cooperating universities.
You can even order different versions, depending on where you are in the world. This makes great sense: the flora and fauna clogging nets in Chile - and the conditions they do it in - will probably be somewhat different from those in Scotland. The Little Book on Fouling™ is non-commercial and available free of charge, order it HERE.
Read the full article HERE.
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| Image: SINTEF Fiskeri og havbruk |
Fouling of nets in and of itself is problem enough, but it also brings additional issues. These miniature forests of algae and ascidians provide a refuge and gathering place for hordes of salmon lice and other noxious parasites, such as amoebas and bacteria - a source of physical misery for the fish and economic misery for the farmer.
At Aquaculture UK in Aviemore, Scotland, International Aquafeed had the opportunity to attend a talk on this very subject, given by Björgólfur Hávarðsson from Steen Hansen. His presentation, 'In-situ cleaning: Clean nets, but what about the fish?' gave listeners a great deal to think about. Steen Hansen is a privately owned Norwegian company established in 1932.
The company initially focused on paints before turning its attention to the chemical impregnation of nets for aquaculture. By 1995 it was in all major aquaculture markets, and today it is a world leader in antifouling paints for the fish-farming industry. The company now boasts its own production facilities, laboratories and R&D facilities. They had a turnover approaching US$20 million in 2014, and gross profits of more than US$350,000 the same year. They currently have 23 employees.
Their aquaculture products include NetCoating PLUS™, protecting nets from abrasion and UV damage, and AquaNet® antifouling, which can be adapted to different environments and net materials. Steen Hansen's own specialists have also published a useful, informative, Net Care Certified booklet in collaboration with their partners, agents and cooperating universities.
You can even order different versions, depending on where you are in the world. This makes great sense: the flora and fauna clogging nets in Chile - and the conditions they do it in - will probably be somewhat different from those in Scotland. The Little Book on Fouling™ is non-commercial and available free of charge, order it HERE.
Read the full article HERE.
The Aquaculturists
This blog is maintained by The Aquaculturists staff and is supported by the
magazine International Aquafeed which is published by Perendale Publishers Ltd
For additional daily news from aquaculture around the world: aquaculture-news
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