Dangers of Mechanical Underwater Net Cleaning

Mechanical underwater net cleaning prototypes have been developed in Australia to try to service the Aquaculture Industry. However as time has shown, these prototypes can cause more harm than good.

Apart from some of the obvious limitations such as; mechanical net cleaners can only attempt to clean very tight nets (that is, they cannot be used on loose nets) and the nets need to be tensioned by divers first anyway, there are some more serious causes for concern. 

Mechanical net cleaners do not remove marine growth thoroughly. Dive Works have proven that their in-situ high pressure water blasting techniques remove the choke weed and mussel spats on nets, as well as visible marine growth, ensuring a longer lasting clean. Mechanical net cleaners may appear to remove growth but they are really only ‘shaving’ off visible growth, leaving the ‘roots’ to grow back more vigorously.  

Further to that, mechanical net cleaners are more prone to rip holes in nets, causing huge potential fish loss and expensive net repair efforts. 

Other disadvantages include:

• Only usable in calm waters, not too far offshore
• Higher maintenance costs are incurred due to more frequent break downs
• The nets still require routine inspections by divers

For a free consultation on how Dive Works in-situ net cleaning can provide a better clean for your nets contact us now on 1300 586 400.

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