Editing Fish farming (section)

====Copper-alloy nets====
{{Main|Copper alloys in aquaculture}}

Recently, [[copper alloys]] have become important netting materials in [[aquaculture]]. Copper alloys are [[antimicrobial]], that is, they destroy [[bacteria]], [[viruses]], [[fungi]], [[algae]], and other [[microbes]]. In the [[marine environment]], the antimicrobial/algaecidal properties of copper alloys prevent [[biofouling]], which can briefly be described as the undesirable accumulation, adhesion, and growth of microorganisms, plants, [[algae]], [[Tube worm (body plan)|tube worms]], [[barnacles]], [[mollusks]], and other organisms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/karshakasree/farm-management/2017/04/26/fish-cage-farming-by-manoj.html|title=ഓരുവെള്ളത്തിലെ രുചിയേറും വരുമാനം|website=ManoramaOnline|language=ml}}</ref>

The resistance of organism growth on copper alloy nets also provides a cleaner and healthier environment for farmed fish to grow and thrive. Traditional netting involves regular and labor-intensive cleaning. In addition to its antifouling benefits, copper netting has strong structural and corrosion-resistant properties in marine environments.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=dos Santos |first1=Ana Paula |last2=Hage Seta |first2=Jéssica Helena |last3=Kuhnen |first3=Vanessa Villanova |last4=Sanches |first4=Eduardo Gomes |date=2020-11-01 |title=Antifouling alternatives for aquaculture in tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean |journal=Aquaculture Reports |language=en |volume=18 |pages=100477 |doi=10.1016/j.aqrep.2020.100477 |s2cid=224842700 |issn=2352-5134|doi-access=free |bibcode=2020AqRep..1800477D }}</ref>

Copper-zinc brass alloys are deployed in commercial-scale aquaculture operations in Asia, South America, and USA (Hawaii). Extensive research, including demonstrations and trials, are being implemented on two other copper alloys: copper-nickel and copper-silicon. Each of these alloy types has an inherent ability to reduce biofouling, cage waste, disease, and the need for antibiotics, while simultaneously maintaining water circulation and oxygen requirements. Other types of copper alloys are also being considered for research and development in aquaculture operations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aquaculture – Copper Development Association Africa |url=https://www.copper.co.za/projects/aquaculture/ |access-date=2022-07-11 |language=en-US}}</ref>