Physical blocking barrier against caligus larvae. Garware Skirt X12 contributes to fish well-being and sustainability.
Micro fabric is a complementary preventive tool, which delays the infestation of the Caligus parasite, without affecting the oxygen levels of the centre or the fish cage.
Skirts are a tool that improves the prevention strategy against Caligus infestation; It is a physical barrier that surrounds the perimeter of the centre or the fish cage – with depths ranging from 6 to 9 meters – based on Garware’s X12 fabric, whose exclusive fabric prevents the entry of the early stages of Caligus and In turn, it promotes an adequate exchange of water, enabling the flow of water and the essential dissolved oxygen for these purposes. “Our R&D department developed a three-dimensional fabric with an opening of 80 to 150 microns for Norway, and a second generation of 60 to 100 microns for Chile, given that the local sea lice is smaller, thus generating a product applied to the national market. With this solution we are aligned with the global change underway, towards the well-being of fish and sustainable aquaculture,” comments Marcos Jofré, business associate at Garware Technical Fibres.
This is a non-pharmacological alternative, used as part of the health strategy to reduce the use of chemicals, whose field experience shows a decrease in the frequency of baths of up to 50%, with a reduction in lice of up to 60% . “The reduction in the frequency of chemicals use is in itself a desired goal, not only because of its cost, but also because it lengthens the useful life of the chemicals, delaying the generation of resistance by the parasite. We know that monospecific strategies, based exclusively on chemicals, have shown the generation of long-term resistance,” says Francisco Serra, commercial manager Garware Technical Fibres Chile.
Among its technical characteristics, it has high resistance to abrasion, is easy to install and clean and is also available with V2 technology, which delays biofouling.
X12 fabric blocks: 99.6% of Nauplius larvae and 99.7% of Copepoditos larvae, as a preventive method.
The results of a study carried out by the Universidad Austral in conjunction with MOWI Lab -both from Chile- highlight the evaluation of fabric cages in a test channel, for the estimation of permeability to the passage of larvae at different current speeds, recording a blockage of 99 .6% of Nauplius larvae and 99.7% of Copepoditos larvae. He points out that “the latest generation Garware X12 fabric is recommended as a mechanical barrier against C. rogercresseyi larvae, it has high quality characteristics and allows water flow.”
Currently, the global focus is on the implementation of new strategies, with complementary non-pharmacological preventive control methods – such as tarps – in the management of infestations caused by the Caligus parasite. “Garware cloths in skirts are successfully used as a mechanical barrier that delays and reduces sanitary baths in salmon farming centres around the world,” concludes Jofré.
This type of technology is crucial in the aquaculture industry as it helps protect fish from parasitic diseases, thus improving the overall health of the crops. Additionally, using control methods such as physical barriers, rather than relying exclusively on chemicals, contributes to more sustainable practices in aquaculture. www.garwarefibres.com
Photo: Garware’s X12 skirt works as a physical blocking barrier against Caligus larvae, thanks to its three-dimensional fabric with an opening of 80 to 150 microns for Norway, and a second generation of 60 to 100 microns for Chile.