Biomaster tackles fish disease

Bacterial diseases such as Yersinia, Carnobacterium, Aeromonas are a serious problem for many fisheries, killing tens of thousands of fish every year. Bacterial infections were found in more than 50% of all of the fish mortalities reported to the Environment Agency in 2013.

Not only can bacterial infections lead to rapid fish kills, they can also weaken fish so severely that they fall victim to other ailments, particularly at critical times of the year when they are most vulnerable. When a bacterial infection strikes, a fishery owner is usually powerless to intervene and is forced to watch his precious stocks perish.

Studies have shown that the biggest killers can be transferred on nets to fish. A new generation of antimicrobial fishing nets treated with Biomaster Protection however will help to ensure healthier fish stocks in future.

BSafe™ (short for ‘bacteria safe) began when avid angler Derek Willan realised that fellow anglers should be doing their bit to safeguard fish health in the UK. Convinced that the answer lay in producing nets with anti-bacterial properties, he set about finding out if it could be done. The result was a collaboration between Addmaster, suppliers of the market-leading permanent antimicrobial additive Biomaster and Silvergate Plastics, the UK’s leading supplier of masterbatch technology. Their brief was to develop an in-built solution at molecular level, which enhances the performance of filaments and plastics, from which nets are made.

Addmaster provided the breakthrough. Biomaster antimicrobial technology actively inhibits the growth of bacteria thereby reducing the risk of cross infection. When added to any surface it prevents bacteria from multiplying, permanently. Laboratory tests prove that fishing nets treated with Biomaster start to kill harmful bacteria on contact and kill to a 99.9% efficacy rate within 24 hours, wet or dry. The results are described by Professor Jason Weeks, who worked on the project for government executive agency CEFAS, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, as “stunning”.

Leading UK fisheries consultant Dr Bruno Broughton commented: “Fish are the vital life-blood for the owners and managers of fisheries, and maintaining good fish health is an essential requirement of successful fisheries management. This welcome move will lead to better, fish-safe nets and other products which will raise the bar for fish health standards.”

Addmaster (UK) Ltd. Marketing Manager Karl Shaw adds: “This is another great example of how we are able to work with the best in British industry to create an exciting new technology”.

*Please note that Addmaster was acquired by the Polygiene Group AB in January 2021, so all news articles prior to that date will still be branded as Addmaster.