SBIR-STTR Award

A need exists to develop cost effective and reliable submersible cage technology for exposed aquaculture. The team assembled as part of this SBIR incorporates JPS Industries, Great Bay Aquafarms and the University of New Hampshire. In Phase I, a design will be developed based on concepts known to work in the industry. Concepts to be investigated include a cage constructed around HDPE pipe, with an airlift so the system can move through the water column. Feeding, monitoring and control/telemetry will be performed with a surface buoy with a connection to the cage using a high-stretch hose. Analysis will include hydrostatics and development of hydrodynamic loads. Cage structural integrity will also be examined. Specification of components will be made in preparation for construction and deployment in Phase II where the cage will be tested in the first year stocked with cod in the second year, focusing in the live fish market and to develop harvesting techniques.

Potential Commercial Applications:
Expansion of marine aquaculture to exposed, open ocean or offshore sites

In the Phase I portion of the project, three submersible fish cage designs were investigated. With the use of hydrodynamic and structural computer models and the testing of a 1/10th scale model, the design characteristics started to focus on a particular configuration. The cage design consists of straight lengths of HDPE pipe (35-40 cm diameter) connected with steel fittings. Some of the pipe will be designated as fixed buoyancy and other variable buoyancy to enable it to be submerged. The focus of the Phase II work is to refine the engineering techniques to estimate offshore survivability and fully test the fish cage concept. In the first year, a ¼ - ½ size submersible cage will be constructed and deployed during the winter at the University of New Hampshire’s offshore site and fitted with load cells. In the spring, a full evaluation will be completed. Design changes will be make and a 5000 m3 system built and deployed during the winter of the second year of the project. This cage will also be fitted with load cells and a uniquely designed feed hose buoy. IF tests are successful, stocking of fish will be considered for the spring of second year.

Potential Commercial Applications:
The commercial applications for the cage design being pursued as part of this research are focused on two different aquaculture businesses. The first business area consists of the emerging Open-Ocean Aquaculture industry, which is presently in its infancy. A need exists to develop a relatively inexpensive, but robust and adaptable cage system for harsh open ocean environments and different types of species. The other commercial application is the existing near shore salmon industry of Downeast Maine and the Canadian Maritime Provinces. Many in this business are considering moving operations into more exposed locations to relieve "stress" associated with the multi-use and environmental issues typical of coastal regions. If the cage concept can penetrate into these regions, potential exists for selling cages on the west coast of North America and in Chile