Expected Outcomes
Key deliverables include best practice guidelines; training courses and materials for industry workers on biofouling and suitable control techniques; and sustainable antifouling strategy management and decision support tools. Training aquaculture managers and workers to make optimal use of the findings of the program are given high priority. Effective dissemination strategies ensure the outcomes of the project are directly applicable by the European Aquaculture Industry.
A key ambition is to increase the knowledge base of the European aquaculture community. By informing farmers about the importance and extent of biofouling at a local regional level combined with effective training of management tools will give farmers the skills and know-how to make informed appropriate choices for their farming situation.
Effective control of the biofouling problem is expected to reduce annual production costs throughout the industry by 5-10% and secure the quality of product.
This EU funded Collective Research project with 23 partners from Norway, Ireland, UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Portugal, will provide the European marine aquaculture industry with low cost practical solutions to control biofouling.