Research progress of anti-fouling materials for fishing and its application in fisheries

Abstract

Marine biological fouling is formed by the adsorption, growth and reproduction of marine microorganisms, plants and animals on marine facilities (such as ship hulls, buoys, bridge piers, cages and nets, etc.), which is harmful to aquaculture. Marine fouling organisms such as barnacles (<italic>Balanus</italic>), mussels (<italic>Mytilus edulis</italic>) and algae are prone to adsorb on fishing nets. This can cause poor water exchange between the inside and outside of the fishing net, and substantial increase in water resistance of the net. The existing anti-fouling methods include manual removal method, mechanical removal method, biological anti-fouling method, metal mesh anti-fouling method and anti-fouling coating method. Due to the variety of marine fouling organisms, different sea conditions in aquaculture and the safety for fish, the anti-fouling technology for fishing nets is very difficult. Therefore, it is very important to develop green, long-lasting and economical anti-fouling materials for fishing. This article starts with the introduction of the classification of anti-fouling materials, then three types of anti-fouling materials for fishing, including anti-fouling coatings, anti-fouling functional metal and composite anti-fouling materials are introduced. And advantages and disadvantages of the application of three anti-fouling materials in fishery are revealed. These current applications can provide references for the development of high-performance anti-fouling materials for fishing. Moreover, the main anti-fouling mechanisms are provided: 1) self polishing refers to the automatic polishing of the failed surface layer by washing with seawater; 2) the structure of microphase separation, which has excellent resistance to lipopolysaccharide, protein and zoospore adhesion; 3) the low surface energy and large water contact angle of the surface make it difficult for fouling organisms to attach; 4) slow release of anti-fouling agents; 5) contact death caused by the adsorption of cations. The anti-fouling technology of fishing nets is of great significance for aquaculture industry. In order to meet the needs of green development strategy for aquaculture, the development of green, environment-friendly, long-term, economical anti-fouling materials will be one of the hot spots of future fishery science.