AEG Containment System
The AEG Containment System provides an innovative approach to fish farming that uses a surface-based collar to allow traditional logistics strategies while moored at depth by the weight ring to reduce total system loads even in the open ocean. Numerous economic and management benefits will result following deployment of AEG Containment Systems including:- Fish Welfare - Inclusion of the down chains/weight beams/lower spoke lines assures a constant growing volume in the absence of net bagging and increases fish welfare conditions by dramatically reducing fish stress, abrasion, and mortality while minimizing downgrades at harvest.
- Mort Collection - Integration of an aluminum plate in the centre of the lower spoke lines keeps the bottom net positioned at depth and allows dead fish collection at a central location. Dead fish are also shielded from predators thereby decreasing potential damage to the nets and fish stress.
- Familiar Logistics Mitigation - The AEG Containment System uses a surface-based HDPE collar for flotation and to complete its structure. This common cage element ensures that existing logistics mitigation strategies remain a part of your operations regardless of being sited in low-, medium- or high-energy.
- Simpler & Less Expensive Mooring - The primary innovation of the system relates to the mooring arrangement directly to the weight ring and not the traditional approach of tying bridles to the surface collar. This reduces total mooring costs by eliminating grid cell lines and reducing the total anchor line length by the net depth and scope. Damaging point load forces on the surface collar are also eliminated.
- Socially Acceptable - The innovative mooring strategy removes use conflicts by decreasing the total mooring space required and completely eliminating surface ropes that otherwise impede vessel navigation and represent a nuisance to farm operators.
- Net Versatility - The AEG Containment System can be used with nets comprised of any material chosen by the fish farmer. This allows direct integration of the system within existing net infrastructure with no additional capital investment required.
- Ease in Net Cleaning - Expensive net changes can be eliminated as the deployed net remains taut in the AEG Containment System structure providing greater ease in net cleaning. Even untreated nylon nets are cost-effectively managed with regards to seasonal biofouling by cleaning in situ.
- Optional Nursery Net Integration - The AEG Containment System provide sufficient structure to integrate a nursery net(s) within the main system net to optimize fingerling growth and feeding. Nursery nets hang from a specially designed 'centre net stand' and feeding can be optimized using a water borne AEG Feeder.