The non-toxic effects of a novel antifouling material on oyster culture

The production traits (size, weight, mortality and condition) of Crassostrea gigas oysters were examined when cultured in cages coated with a novel antifouling material consisting of a polymer film based on a hydrogel which had been loaded with the active material (benzalkonium chloride—BCl), a mixture of alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chlorides. Production traits of adult oysters and growth rate of larvae obtained from BCl-exposed adults were equal to the controls. Toxicity of BCl, as assessed by the oyster embryo bioassay, was two orders of magnitude lower than TBT and one order of magnitude lower than copper, the active compounds presently used in antifouling paints.