A simple antifouling coating selection exhibits notable benefits for industrial fishing vessels

Abstract

Impacts of biofouling were evaluated in-real conditions as a decision support system for industrial purse seiners and trawlers operating in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea (GFCM) in a fishing season. Initially, face-to-face interviews determined the most commonly used antifouling coatings among fishermen, resulting in the selection of five self-polishing copolymer (SPC) coatings. These SPC coatings, along with an uncoated reference panel, were immersed in the Black Sea's natural seawater environment for periodic fouling accumulation observations (SPC immersion tests). Additionally, selected SPC coating patches were applied on a fishing vessel to compare performances of the SPC coatings under the same conditions after a year of operation (namely ship tests). These ship test results were then compared with the outcomes from the static immersion tests. Finally, case studies were employed with the data generated from the static immersion tests for three fishing vessels operating in two different locations equipped with either trawl or purse seine. In addition to SPC coatings, foul release (FR) coatings were tested to compare their performance. Results indicated that applying an SPC coating to an industrial fishing vessel can yield fuel savings of 6%–10.26%, while a basic antifouling coating choice can save up to 3.11% in total fuel consumption over a fishing season in the GFCM area. Regardless of fishing gear used (purse seiner or trawler) or location of fishing activities conducted (Mediterranean or Black Sea), antifouling coating selection decision can reduce fuel consumption by up to 146.1M litres, fuel costs by £112.5M, and CO2 emissions by 0.42M tonnes for the regional GFCM fleet. These numbers are extrapolated to global fleet, estimating that fuel consumption can be decreased by up to 660.37M litres, fuel costs by £508.48M, and CO2 emissions by 1.9M tonnes based on the antifouling selection.