Line of action:

Status:

Execution date:

The general objective of the project is to minimise the environmental impact associated with the generation of waste from fouling in floating nurseries through the evaluation and development of new sustainable treatments applicable in floating nurseries.

Specific objectives of the project In order to achieve the general objective, 4 specific objectives
are proposed:
-SO 1: To identify the causes that originate fouling by analysing the different types of fouling present in floating nurseries, their periodicity and the surfaces where they are developed.
-OE 2: Evaluate the available and under development antifouling treatments based on specific parameters of application, durability, effect, prioritizing the characteristics that improve environmental quality.
-OE 3: Develop innovative treatments that counteract the effects of fouling in a more sustainable
way-OE 4: Develop a sectoral strategy based on the results obtained in the study.

5 activities will be developed with different actions planned:
A1. Characterization of fouling present in floating nurseries.
A2. Identification and analysis of available and developing antifouling treatments based on biological, productive and environmental criteria.
A3. Development of alternative antifouling treatments that increase the sustainability and respect for the environment of aquaculture activity.
3.1 Design of a new treatment based on the integration of copper particles in plastic polymeric matrices.
3.2 Study of the effectiveness of treatments
A.4 Identification of strategic measures for their application in the aquaculture sector in Spain
A5. Dissemination and transfer of results.

The expected results of the project are associated with the different activities and will be as follows:

– To expand the knowledge of the degree of incidence of fouling present in floating nurseries, as well as its current influence on the productive, economic and environmental development of these aquaculture facilities

– Evaluation or comparative study of the antifouling treatments currently available, both commercial and under development, taking into account biological, productive and environmental criteria

– Development of a new antifouling treatment based on the incorporation of Cu nanoparticles and study of its effectiveness, compared to different commercial treatments

– Development of sectoral strategic measures to evaluate the treatments considered and their application in Spanish marine farms, based on their characteristics

– Transfer and dissemination of the project, its implications and the results obtained

RESULTS

Incidence of biofouling in the aquaculture industry:

During the execution of the project, work has been done to identify the causes that originate biofouling in Spanish floating nurseries, analysing the different types of fouling present in marine farms, their periodicity and the surfaces where they develop. This action has been developed with the collaboration of 100% of the Spanish companies that own floating nurseries. A survey has also been carried out in which marine producers have provided specific information about this process in their facilities, some of them have even provided photographs of biofouling in their facilities. All this information has been reflected in the report “Influence of biofouling in the aquaculture industry”.

Evaluation of available antifouling treatments:

In the second phase of the project, an analysis and assessment of the most appropriate available treatments and those under development has been carried out, in collaboration with the antifouling manufacturing companies. In order to evaluate all the available options and their suitability to the problem according to technical characteristics related to sustainability criteria, a database has been generated with all the antifouling treatments included in the study, and the report “Evaluation of antifouling treatments according to biological, productive and environmental criteria” has also been generated.

Development of a new novel and sustainable antifouling treatment:

Work has been done on the development of a novel and sustainable antifouling treatment, based on an epoxy resin emulsion in which copper nanoparticles have been integrated at a concentration of 1%. The innovation of this treatment lies in the need for less amount of mineral, optimizing its use and increasing its properties. In addition, they do not come off as easily when in contact with water, increasing the useful time of the coating with less impact on the environment.

To check the effectiveness, a study has been carried out in Andalusia and Galicia simultaneously, based on criteria of technical feasibility, durability and environmental improvement. The designed antifouling was tested in highly productive environments, along with 3 other commercial treatments, to measure its effectiveness and quantify the effect of the biocides they contain. With this new antifouling treatment, the main objective of reducing the impact that these products generate on the marine environment has been achieved; However, this sustainability is achieved by renouncing efficiency. The results of this study have been included in the report “Efficacy study of the antifouling treatment developed”.

Development of sectoral strategies:

Based on the results obtained, together with the Spanish Aquaculture Business Association (APROMAR), a series of strategic measures have been established, based on the premise that aquaculture sustainability necessarily involves the correct management of antifouling treatments, at an environmental and productive level.

All the results obtained are available both on the CTAQUA website and at the following link: https://bit.ly/3HzlNaP