Light barrier in fish cage

Introduction:

New analysis has found that under optimistic projections regarding alternative marine aquaculture (mariculture) feed innovations and uptake, the ocean could provide over six times more food than it does today—more than two-thirds of the animal protein needed to feed the future global population.

About the company:

Fiskevelferd as founded in 2019 based on a patent pending aquaculture concept: Sustainable Improved fishwelfare, No emissions,  Automated operations. Our technology is the actual cage solution with the central column as a key factor securing permanent access to the cage. State of the art technology is used in all other areas. The fish cages can be moved from submerged to elevated position by simply sliding it along the column. This method secures gentle crowding as the control system keeps track of the biomass pumped through the column and the cage elevation. We can keep constant fish density through the whole crowding process and can add oxygen when needed. Oxygen-rich water gives lower feed factor and higher growth and adding oxygen reduces mortality. Underwater feeding provides higher growth. The fish can be steered away from lice with underwater lights, lights are also used to avoid sexual maturation. Drying of the cages removes marine fouling, which in turn gives increased water flow. By using new technology, we can select only fish with lice for delicing. The fish cages are automatically placed at the depth with optimal temperature. 

Challenge:

It is proven that fish react to ligth. 

Step 1: Install lights inside the fishcage forming a horizontal barrier that the fish do not swim through. 

Step 2: Elevate the fish cage and pump the fish into the column through openings just below the light barrier.

The result is gentle subsea crowding without need for elevating the fishcage above water. The fishcage can by this method be emtied subsea.

The benefit of gentle crowding is less mortality rate and the benefit of subsea fishfarming is less lice.

One question remains: Does it work?