AEQUOR DISCOVERED CHEMICALS THAT REMOVE EXISTING FOULING AND INHIBIT FUTURE FOULING  

THE PROBLEMS:  (1) FOULING: The relentless accumulation of marine foulers (eukaryotic organisms such as barnacles, mussels, algae) on aquaculture netting and equipment reduces the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the cultured organisms and often causes diseases so severe that the fish being cultivated need to be injected with antibiotics.  Fouling adheres directly on bivalves, reducing growth rates and survival.  On the bottom of ship hulls, fouling requires up to 50% increased fuel consumption, and corresponding CO2 emissions.

(2) INADEQUATE REMEDIES:  Because the only remedies for fouling are short term (physical scraping and heat) and are impractical on many surfaces, antifouling biocides are used to extend the time between physical remedies. Although it is well-documented that biocides cannot penetrate or remove biofilm at non-lethal doses, they are overused.  An estimated $100 billion is spent annually on antifouling biocides incorporated in treatments, coatings, paints and surface materials across multiple sectors (transportation, water treatment, energy, agri/aquaculture, food safety, etc.).  Many antifouling biocides have been banned from the Ports of Amsterdam, San Diego and others because they and persist and accumulate in marine ecosystems and organisms, pollute water supplies, and harm human health.

THE DISCOVERY:  Aequor's Founder, Cynthia Burzell, a Marine Microbiologist, understood that fouling is caused by "biofilm" - a complex matrix that marine bacteria produce in order to attach to surfaces in contact with water and envelop the colony.  All foulers attach to the biofilm.  Dr. Burzell discovered novel, non-toxic chemicals that mimic Nature's mechanism to remove existing biofilm by 99.99%, and inhibit the future formation of new biofilm by over 95%.  

THE SOLUTION:  Aequor will partner leaders in the antifouling treatment and paint and coating sectors to manufacture end-use products for aquaculture netting and gear that inhibit the attachment of foulers without harming any plant or animal life.  Their use can reduce the costs of labor, antibiotics, down time, frequent replacement of capital equipment, and the use of toxic biocides.  This will result in higher yields of the cultivated species and increased profits, enabling the aquaculture industry to attract investment, create jobs, and expand to meet growing demand for high-protein aquatic food.