Development of innovative non biocidal antifouling paints for aquaculture applications.

ACRONYM:

Aquapaints

LEADER:

Sergios Papageorgiou

START DATE:

04/12/2019

LATE DATE:

04/11/2022

FUNDING SOURCE:

Operational Program Competitiveness under the call Fishery and Sea

The problem of biofouling, the colonization of any submerged surface by marine organisms, is known since the ancient times and affects every application related to the marine activity. With 4000-5000 floral and faunal species believed to be involved in such processes,e a submerged surface can collect over 150 kg/m2 of organisms in less than six months (ΙΜΟ, 1999). Especially for aquaculture applications, nets is the equipment affected mostly by biofouling, resulting in material degradation but more importantly in farming species growth rate decrease up to 40% by limiting the available oxygen and nutrients in the cages hindering the inflow of fresh water and outflow of excrements and facouring competition between wanted and unwanted species. To date biofouling is mainly prevented by the use of coatings containing biocides- toxic compounds harmful not only to the marine organisms but also to the environment in general. This project aims to develop smart marine coatings that will prevent biofouling on aquaculture nets and relevant equipment without the use of biocides, taking advantage of their amphiphillic properties and appropriate surface energy so as to constitute a low cost, environmentally friendly and commercially viable solution that will result in higher aquaculture product quality.

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