Efficacy of Netminder® silicone release coating for biofouling reduction in bay scallop grow-out and comparative effects on scallop survival, growth and reproduction

Netminder((R)), a water-based silicone barrier release coating, was highly effective in reducing biofouling of lantern nets during grow-out/overwintering of bay scallops, Argopecten irradians irradians, in a large-scale restoration programme in New York, USA. Compared with untreated nets, scallops held in Netminder((R))-coated nets experienced reduced survival after 8months, probably due to higher loads of epibionts on their shells. However, this was countered by higher reproductive and overall condition of scallops in treated vs. untreated nets; there were no consistent differences in shell growth in different net treatments. Although further testing is recommended under a wider range of conditions, we conclude that for the purposes of our scallop restoration work, coating nets with Netminder((R)) would eliminate the need for a gear change in spring, thus reducing labour costs; the coating process should be refined so that Velcro closures of nets do not become sealed shut.