Effect of XLP paint on the survival rate and growth of the pearl oyster and biomass of fouling organisms

In order to preventingthe fouling organisms in the culture of pearl oyster, Pinctada fucata, the effect of XLP paint on the survival rate and growth of the pearl oyster and biomass of fouling organisms in farm was researched in this study. The shell of the pearl oystercoated withXLP paint, the biomass of fouling organisms on the shell was lower than the control. The net cage of the pearl oyster farmcoated withXLP paint, the biomass of fouling organisms on the net cage was also lower than the control. The effect of XLP paint preventing fouling organisms was most effective when both the shell of pearl oyster and net cage were treated by XLP paint at same time. The survival rate of pearl oyster was close to or lightly lower than the control, during the earlier stage of treatment (30~60 d). However, after 120 days, the survival rate was higher than the control. In the meantime, both the size and weight of the pearl oyster were more than the controls after 120 days cultivation. The results suggested that XLP paint was an effective material for preventing the fouling organisms in the culture of pearl oyster, and helpful for pearl oyster culture.