Environmentally Friendly and Efficient Methods for Mitigating the Density of Ascidian Fouling in Mediterranean Mussel Farming

Ascidian biofouling generates significant challenges to bivalve aquaculture. Their rapid spread across almost every available surface leads to increased maintenance costs and reduced yields in shellfish farming. In addition, ascidians may introduce pathogens or toxins, further compromising the healt...

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Published inFishes Vol. 9; no. 4; p. 135
Main Authors Tsotsios, Dimitrios, Papadopoulos, Dimitrios K., Alvanou, Maria V., Georgoulis, Ioannis, Lattos, Athanasios, Michaelidis, Basile, Feidantsis, Konstantinos, Giantsis, Ioannis A., Theodorou, John A.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Basel MDPI AG 01.04.2024
Subjects
Air exposure
Antifouling substances
Aquaculture
Biofouling
bivalves
Bivalvia
Costs
Environmental aspects
Experiments
Farms
Fish-culture
Fouling
Maintenance costs
management practices
Marine invertebrates
Marine molluscs
Methods
Mollusks
Mussel fisheries
Mytilus galloprovincialis
Polyculture (aquaculture)
Prevention
Salinity
Salinity effects
Shellfish
Shellfish culture
Shellfish farming
Stocks
Toxins
tunicates
Mediterranean Sea
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Summary:Ascidian biofouling generates significant challenges to bivalve aquaculture. Their rapid spread across almost every available surface leads to increased maintenance costs and reduced yields in shellfish farming. In addition, ascidians may introduce pathogens or toxins, further compromising the health and marketability of bivalve stocks and thereby necessitating strict management strategies to manage these impacts. The aim of this study was the evaluation of different management practices for eliminating ascidian fouling and the identification of the best method for Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819) aquaculture farms. The effects of different anti-fouling treatments as well as their interactive outcomes were examined by conducting two experiments. Various experimental procedures were applied, including the temporally differential washing of mussels, air exposure and immersion in 50 ppt and 70 ppt salinity solutions, as well as the combination of these applications. All treatments reduced the number of ascidian colonies on mussel socks but at varying proportions. Immersing mussel socks in a 70 ppt salinity solution followed by air exposure for 1 day was the most efficient method and led to a 93% eradication.
ISSN:2410-3888
2410-3888
DOI:10.3390/fishes9040135