Disinfection and Anti-Fouling
Prevention and control
Disinfection
In fish farming, as in all food production, the prevention and control of disease is of paramount importance. At all stages of production, from the hatchery to the processing plant, a cleaning and disinfection programme is required to maintain the health of the fish and to prevent the transmission of harmful microorganisms.
Lodophor disinfectants have been used in aquaculture for many years. In the 1970s, buffered iodophor disinfectants were developed; these were specifically formulated to halt vertical transmission of viruses, such as IPN, on the outer membranes of the eggs of salmonoid species, without penetration or damage to the eggs.
Buffodine, from Evans Vanodine, was one of the first of this disinfectant type to be developed and patented. Since then, this class of product has been used worldwide for egg disinfection of salmonid and other marine species, including shellfish. Buffodine is currently the only Biocidal Product Regulation (BPR) approved, iodine-based, fish egg disinfectant in Europe (Authorised biocide: UK-2019-1172.)
Disinfection of equipment used in aquaculture is equally important. Treatments are recommended for all hard surface disinfection in and around the hatchery, rearing and fattening facilities and transport. Personal hygiene, in particular hand hygiene, is also important and should form part of any cleaning and disinfection programme. Cleaning and disinfection should be a part of the Best Aquaculture Practice to ensure a safe and sustainable supply of fish to the consumer.
Anti-Fouling
Biofouling or biological fouling is the accumulation of microorganisms, plants, algae, or small animals on wet surfaces that have a mechanical function, causing structural or other functional deficiencies. Such accumulation is referred to as epibiosis when the host surface is another organism and the relationship is not parasitic.
Antifouling is the ability of specifically designed materials and coatings to remove or prevent biofouling by any number of organisms on wet surfaces. Since biofouling can occur almost anywhere water is present, biofouling poses risks to a wide variety of objects such as medical devices and membranes, as well as to entire industries, such as paper manufacturing, food processing, underwater construction, and desalination plants.
Specifically, the buildup of biofouling on marine vessels poses a significant problem. In some instances, the hull structure and propulsion systems can be damaged.The accumulation of biofoulers on hulls can increase both the hydrodynamic volume of a vessel and the hydrodynamic friction, leading to increased drag of up to 60%.The drag increase has been seen to decrease speeds by up to 10%, which can require up to a 40% increase in fuel to compensate.With fuel typically comprising up to half of marine transport costs, antifouling methods are estimated to save the shipping industry considerably. Furthermore, increased fuel use due to biofouling contributes to adverse environmental effects and is predicted to increase emissions of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide between 38 and 72% by 2020, respectively.
In aquaculture fouling organisms settle on the cage nets over time, close the mesh openings, and cause unwanted weight gain. In order to prevent fouling, aquaculture nets are generally treated with antifouling paints.
A variety of antifouling methods have historically been implemented to combat biofouling. Recently, scientists have begun researching antifouling methods inspired by living organisms.This type of design imitation is known as biomimicry..
" Cleaning and disinfection should be a part of the Best Aquaculture Practice to ensure a safe and sustainable supply of fish to the consumer ”