The effect of ultrasonic antifouling control on the growth and microbiota of farmed European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Biofouling is a serious threat to marine renewable energy structures and aquaculture operations alike. As an alternative toxic surface coatings, ultrasonic antifouling control has been proposed as environmentally friendly means reduce biofouling. However, the impact of ultrasound on fish farmed in offshore or multi-purpose platforms, combining production aquaculture, not yet assessed. Here we study growth microbiota European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) under laboratory conditions. Whereas survival were reduced by exposure, microbiological analysis using plate counts 16S rRNA gene based metataxonomics showed perturbation gill skin microbiota, including increase putative pathogenic bacteria. This warrants further research into long-term effects health wellbeing fish.