CSIRO fellowship for biofouling expert

An expert in the biology and control of marine organisms which grow on submerged surfaces or biofouling, James Cook University's Head of Aquaculture, Professor Rocky de Nys, has been appointed as a Flagship Fellow with the Wealth from Oceans Flagship.

The Fellowship provides the Flagship with the opportunity to work with Professor de Nys, a world-renowned expert in scientific and commercial issues associated with biofouling.

Professor de Nys will use his comprehensive knowledge of antifouling technologies to analyse the status of current global technologies and recommend how CSIRO may be able to respond to biofouling challenges and opportunities. These will contribute directly to the goals of the Wealth from Oceans Flagship in its research program to explore ocean-based industry development and growth.

"An important aspect of the current suite of antifouling products is that they work by releasing chemicals to prevent the growth of marine organisms on the hulls of ships and other marine platforms" Professor de Nys says.

"This Fellowship provides the opportunity to contribute to the development of new physical and non-release antifouling technologies. These technologies have the potential to have a very positive impact for the marine environment and also strong commercial applications."

Marine biofouling is the settlement and growth of organisms on submerged surfaces. All submerged surfaces are rapidly colonised and subsequent biofouling communities have significant economic and environmental impacts.

The major economic cost of fouling is on boats, in particular merchant and naval vessels, where biofouling increases frictional resistance and can increase overall voyage costs by 40-70 per cent.

Biofouling is also a major vector for the introduction and spread of marine pest species, with detrimental environmental and financial outcomes. Marine platforms and aquaculture equipment are also impacted severely by marine biofouling.

Flagship Visiting Fellowships are designed to enable world class researchers to be seconded from their organisations to undertake collaborative projects under the auspices of CSIRO's National Research Flagships program. The program has been allocated $97 million over seven years under the Federal Government's 'Backing Australia's Ability - Building Our Future Through Science and Innovation' package.
 

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The Wealth from Oceans Flagship is a CSIRO initiative and part of the National Research Flagships program that aims to deliver scientific solutions to advance Australia's most important national objectives. One of the largest scientific initiatives ever mounted in Australia, it aligns closely with the Federal Government's National Research Priorities. The initiative brings together our national research resources to deliver breakthroughs in fields ranging from healthcare to light metals and the environment.