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The smart oyster tray was designed by a team of
research scientists from both CSIRO and
Australia's Co-Operative Research Centre for
Aquaculture (CRC).
Dr Veronica Cross of CSIRO Novel Materials &
Processes says, 'The Smart Oyster Tray means
higher-grade, meatier oysters, because the young
growing oyster is not obstructed from the free
flow of nutrient-rich seawater it feeds on.
'The Smart Oyster Tray also means less work for
oyster farmers, who for years have fought off the
seaweed and algae growth that has crowded the
long-lines and trays suspended from rafts in
"off-the-bottom" oyster farming.
'Fouling is often removed at harvest by hand, by
low or high-pressure hoses, or by dipping "young"
stock in a solution that kills unwanted organisms
(these can include algal bloom, barnacles,
tubeworms and sponges).
'All very laborious tasks that are now no longer
necessary', says Dr Cross.
The new Smart Oyster Tray comes in the form of a
traditionally shaped oyster tray, manufactured
with specially designed polymers (plastics) that
contain slow-release, harmless biodegradable
antifouling chemicals.
Dr Cross says, 'The Smart Oyster Tray is a
high-density polyethylene, which contains an
environmentally benign antifouling chemical agent
within the plastic's molecular structure, which is
slowly released over time.
'The antifouling chemical agent is an
environmentally safe organic compound as it
degrades in seawater in a matter of hours.'
The development of this material required the
identification and selection of a new antifouling
polymer suitable for injection moulding and
compatible with the antifouling agent
The antifouling agent and high-density
polyethylene was pre-compounded and processed into
trays using standard industrial injection
moulders.
'This simple system prevents the attachment of
algal blooms and other fouling organisms to the
surface of the polymer', says Dr Cross.
'We have successfully fabricated the material into
oyster trays on a commercial scale.'
This product can be used for the culture of edible
oysters, pearl oysters, abalone and prawns.
Applications for the CSIRO Smart Oyster Tray are
likely to extend to other shellfish farming, nets
used in aquaculture and underwater farming
infrastructure.
Dr Cross says that CSIRO is currently interested
in discussing the development of its technology
for commercial use with parties with an interest
in the manufacture and marketing of aquaculture
products.
The Smart
Oyster Tray is one of the technologies CSIRO is
featuring at the Commercialisation Forum & Fair of
Ideas in Sydney, March 26-28, Sydney Convention
Centre, Darling Harbour. More information about
the Fair is available at:
www.kca.asn.au
More
information:
Dr Veronica
Cross, Industry Manager, CSIRO Novel Materials &
Processes, 03 9545 2978, Email:
Veronica.Cross@csiro.au
Ken Anderson,
Manager Marketing Communication, CSIRO
Manufacturing & Infrastructure Technology, 03 9545
2052, 0414 457 214, Email:
Ken.Anderson@csiro.au
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