The SeaFisher fish farming system consists of 12 cubic cages anchored to the seabed, capable of submerging up to 20 meters deep to ensure safety during storms.
A research team led by Professor Chien Ming Wang at the University of Queensland and Professor Joerg Baumeister at Griffith University has developed SeaFisher, a storm-resistant offshore fish farming system, as reported by New Atlas on March 7. The project is authorized by the Australia Green Economic Cooperation Research Centre. The new study was published in the journal Marine Science and Engineering.
The SeaFisher system consists of 12 fish cages floating near the water’s surface when waves are not too high. (Photo: University of Queensland)
Each SeaFisher system is 120 meters long and consists of 12 cubic cages made of polyester netting arranged evenly in two rows. The cage frames are constructed from lightweight high-density polyethylene pipes that are interconnected. The entire system is anchored firmly by a seabed suction anchor at the front of the system, which serves as the only connection to the seabed. This allows SeaFisher to continuously rotate around the anchor to always face the direction of the waves. A shield at the front helps deflect debris that may drift towards it.
If the waves are not too large, SeaFisher will remain floating close to the water’s surface. However, when the weather begins to deteriorate, water is pumped into the polyethylene pipes of the system. This process allows SeaFisher to submerge to a maximum depth of 20 meters, where it can safely ride out the storm. The cages are covered with a netting on top, ensuring that fish remain inside even when SeaFisher sinks. Once the storm passes, water is pumped out of the pipes, allowing the system to float back to the surface.
The team of scientists is currently testing small-scale prototypes, and they will later manufacture full-size prototypes. Each SeaFisher system is estimated to cost around 6 million USD, which is lower than many existing offshore fish farms. The research team hopes that the system will have a relatively short payback period.
“We estimate that each cubic cage can hold about 24,000 adult fish weighing 5 kg. The system can be used to farm multiple fish species side by side, and it can even be adjusted to cultivate seaweed, utilizing waste from the fish cages to provide nutrients for the plants,” Wang stated.
