Environmentally Friendly and Efficient Methods for Mitigating the Density of Ascidian Fouling in Mediterranean Mussel Farming
Dimitrios Tsotsios,
Dimitrios K. Papadopoulos,
Maria V. Alvanou,
Ioannis Georgoulis,
Athanasios Lattos,
Basile Michaelidis,
Konstantinos Feidantsis,
Ioannis A. Giantsis,
John A. Theodorou
Affiliations
Dimitrios Tsotsios
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, University of Patras, 30200 Mesolongi, Greece
Dimitrios K. Papadopoulos
Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Maria V. Alvanou
Laboratory of Ichthyology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Ioannis Georgoulis
Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Athanasios Lattos
Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Basile Michaelidis
Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Konstantinos Feidantsis
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, University of Patras, 30200 Mesolongi, Greece
Ioannis A. Giantsis
Laboratory of Ichthyology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
John A. Theodorou
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, University of Patras, 30200 Mesolongi, Greece
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.
