NZ525311A - Method for assembly of an aquaculture apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for assembling an aquaculture apparatus (10) having a support pontoon (12, 16, 17) and a net (14) suspended underneath in use for containing aquatic life, the method comprising the steps of: installing a support means on the pontoon for supporting the net prior to the net being positioned in an operational position; positioning the net on the support means and coupling the net to the pontoon; and removing the support means from the pontoon so that the net moves into the operational position.

Description

52 5 3 1 1 lOTE^MTpROpERTy 1 OFF/CE OF NZ I 1 5 APR 2003 ! RECEIVED PATENTS FORM NO. 5 Fee No. 4: $250.00 Our ref: 28662/5 TB PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION METHOD FOR ASSEMBLY OF AN AQUACULTURE APPARATUS WE ONESTEEL MANUFACTURING PTY LTD, an Australian company of Level 23, 1 York Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, AUSTRALIA hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 1 James & Wells Ref: 28662/5 TB METHOD FOR ASSEMBLY OF AN AOUACULTURE APPARATUS Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for assembly of an aquaculture apparatus and particularly though not exclusively to a method for assembling an aquaculture apparatus having a support pontoon and a net suspended underneath in use for containing aquatic life.

Background to the Invention Aquaculture apparatus are used in the farming of aquatic life including fish and shellfish. Known aquaculture apparatus are pre-assembled on land, transported to a location of installation, lifted from a transporting barge, then lowered into an operational position. Such assembly and installation is inconvenient as the assembled aquaculture apparatus is bulky and can be subject to damage during transport.

Summary of the Invention In a first aspect the present invention provides a method for assembling an aquaculture apparatus having a support pontoon and a net suspended underneath in use for containing aquatic life, the method comprising the steps of: installing a support means on the pontoon for supporting the net prior to the net being positioned in an operational position; positioning the net on the support means and coupling the net to the pontoon; and removing the support means from the pontoon so that the net moves into the operational position.

Advantageously the method of the present invention allows for in-situ installation, which has particular benefits in remote areas that are difficult to access by eg. road transport.

Preferably the step of installing a support means comprises installation of a plurality of elongate flexible first support members across the pontoon. Preferably the step of installing a support means further comprises installing a plurality of elongate flexible second support members across the pontoon transversely to the first support members. Preferably the first support members are cables and the second support members are wires which when installed are supported by the first support members.

Preferably the step of positioning the net comprises providing and assembling the net on the support means. Preferably assembling the net comprises coupling at least one net side wall to a net base. Preferably coupling the net to the pontoon comprises coupling the or each net side wall to the pontoon. In one embodiment the net is assembled from four side walls. Preferably the four side walls are each coupled to the pontoon.

Preferably assembly of the net further comprises assembling the net base from a plurality of connected sheets of mesh.

Preferably the assembly of the net base comprises the following steps: a plurality of rolls of elongate mesh sheet are positioned substantially roll end to roll end; the mesh sheet is unrolled from each roll and adjacent longitudinal edges of adjacent sheets of the mesh are aligned; and the adjacent longitudinal edges are coupled together to form the base.

In one embodiment the rolls of mesh are of a length equal to the desired length of the base. In another embodiment a plurality of roll lengths are required to make up the length of the base. In this other embodiment the assembly of the base further comprises the following steps: for the or each additional roll length, a further one or more rolls of mesh are positioned substantially roll end to roll end; for the or each additional roll length, a leading edge of each further roll is coupled to a trailing edge of the preceding roll; the mesh sheet is unrolled from each further roll and adjacent longitudinal edges of the adjacent sheets of the mesh aligned; and the adjacent longitudinal edges are coupled together to form the base.

Preferably the assembly of the net comprises unrolling the mesh and pulling it over the support means in stages, with the unrolled mesh being coupled to adjacent mesh edges at each stage.

Preferably pulling the mesh over the support means comprises rolling and fastening a mesh end portion over a pipe, tying a rope to the pipe and pulling the rope and thus the pipe and attached mesh over the support means.

Preferably assembly of the net further comprises assembly of the or each side wall by connecting a plurality of mesh sheets together. Preferably the assembly of the or each side wall comprises the following steps: a plurality of rolls of elongate mesh sheet are positioned substantially roll end to roll end; the mesh is unrolled from each roll and adjacent longitudinal edges of adjacent mesh sheets aligned; and the adjacent longitudinal edges are coupled together to form each side wall. Preferably the or each side wall is connected to a leading, trailing or longitudinal edge of outermost sheet(s) of the net base by winding a spiral connector so as to connect the two edges, when the edges are aligned adjacent to each other.

Preferably the adjacent mesh sheets of the base are connected by winding a spiral connector so as to connect two adjacent edges when adjacent to each other.

Preferably adjacent side walls are connected to one another to complete assembling of the net. Preferably the connection of the adjacent side walls comprises the following step: a portion of the net base or the side walls are drawn towards an opposite side of the pontoon in a manner such that the side walls are brought into proximity and a 10 connector can be used to connect adjacent edges of the adjacent walls together.

Preferably the adjacent side wall edges are progressively connected until the entire length of adjacent edges are connected.

Preferably coupling the net to the pontoon comprises threading a hanging wire through top links of the mesh of the at least one side wall.

Preferably coupling the net to the pontoon comprises coupling at least one side wall to the support pontoon by a plurality of hooks. Preferably coupling the at least one side wall to the pontoon includes mounting each hook to the support pontoon and coupling each hook to the hanging wire and a mesh link.

Preferably where there are four side walls and the support means includes first 20 and second support members, the side walls adjacent to the connections between the cables and the pontoons are first coupled to the pontoon.

Preferably removal of the support means involves lowering of the first support members to provide the first support members with some sag. Preferably the remaining side walls are then coupled to the pontoon.

Preferably removal of the support means also involves progressive removal of the second support members after which the hooks are progressively installed on each remaining side wall.

Preferably removal of the support means involves releasing and then removing the first support members once all hooks are in place and all of the second support 30 members removed, whereupon the net is lowered into the operational position.

Brief Description of the Drawings Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present 5 invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail, and by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of an aquaculture apparatus assembled according to a preferred form of the method of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a plan view of the aquaculture apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective representation of a support means installed on the apparatus of Figures 1 & 2 for supporting a net, prior to the net being positioned in the operational position, according to the present invention; Figure 4 shows a schematic plan representation of a partly assembled 15 aquaculture apparatus of Figures 1 & 2, according to the present invention; Figure 5 and 6 show side and perspective views of a spiral joiner for joining together sections of an aquaculture net in accordance with the invention; and Figure 7 shows a perspective detail of the aquaculture apparatus of Figures 1 & 2 and illustrating the spiral joiner of Figures 5 & 6 joining together adjacent sections of 20 an aquaculture net.

INTELLECTUAL pqopPRTv' ( Opc/OF r ' l- if*- - ;' * L.u V- t RF.OFIuq? Modes for Carrying Out the Invention Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, an aquaculture apparatus 10 is shown. The aquaculture apparatus 10 includes a rectangular support structure 12 beneath which is suspended an open basket shaped mesh or net 14. The support structure 12 includes an external walkway 16, and a plurality of flotation devices 17 are attached to support structure 12 under the walkway 16 for providing positive buoyancy to the support structure 12. The apparatus is thus in the form of a pontoon which functions to keep afloat and support the mesh or net 14 in use. Preferably the mesh or net is formed from metal, most preferably a steel wire that can be galvanised, coated or stainless steel. The mesh or net is typically supported by a plurality of hooks (described below).

Aquaculture apparatus 10 is preferably assembled according to the following description.

In this regard and referring now to Figure 3 the support structure 12 is shown in an in-use orientation. Moored to the side of the support structure 12 are work pontoons 19, which are used to provide a temporary additional working area for the assembly of the net 14 of the aquaculture apparatus 10.

Usually the support structure 12 includes pivot points between each side thereof to allow the apparatus to move with waves. However, during the installation assembly of the aquaculture apparatus the pivot points are typically braced using bracing beams and U-bolts to prevent the pivot points from pivoting during the assembly procedure.

Two anchor points are positioned on the apparatus, preferably on external handrail holds on the same side as the bracing beams of the apparatus (eg. on one of the opposing sides 18 of the pontoon) so as to divide the sides 18 into thirds. Thus, for a pontoon 24 meters in length the anchor points are positioned on a side 18 about 8 meters apart. A winch is attached to each anchor point, such as a Tifor lever action winch, using a D-shackle or anchor pin lugs. A first support member in the form of a length of galvanised wire rope/cable 20 having a machine spliced end with a latch hook is looped around the walkway 16 that is directly opposite each Tifor winch (ie. on the opposite side of support structure 12) and is hooked back into the cable. A tapered end of the cable is then fed through the Tifor winch and tensioned until taut.

Two such cables 20 are installed taut on the support structure 12 in Figure 3. The two cables 20 act as a backup suspension system and as a lowering system once the net has been assembled as described below. The cables 20 illustrate a representative embodiment of the first support members according to the invention. Typically each cable is formed from 11mm fibre core galvanised wire rope.

A plurality of second support members in the form of wires 22 are then installed on the pontoon between opposing ends 24 thereof. Half a meter in from the side 18, an end of the wire is tied to an inner rectangular hollow section (RHS) beam of the support structure 12. The wire tail of the resultant knot is bent or removed to prevent mesh catching on it. The wire is then extended across the length of the pontoon and a Gripple joiner is fitted to the wire, which is looped around an opposite RHS, back into the Gripple and is then tensioned. This process is repeated at 0.5 meter centres for the first two meters and then 1 meter centres thereafter. For a 24 meter length pontoon approximately 32 wires are used. The cables 20 and wires 22 thus form a support means in the form of a wire platform for supporting the net during its assembly and installation into an operational position. Typically the wire employed is 3.15mm HT Growire.

Referring now to Figure 4, it will be seen how the cables 20 and wires 22 form a type of supporting platform for assembly of the net, as described below. The net is assembled by forming a net base 26 and at least one net side wall 28. In a preferred embodiment four net side walls 28, 28' are provided and assembled. However, in a circular apparatus, a single side wall can be used.

To form the net base 26, rolls of mesh are positioned on the work pontoons 19. The rolls are positioned evenly across the full width and staggered to allow unrolling without the ends of the rolls catching on adjacent rolls. Several meters of each roll are rolled out onto the pontoon. Adjacent longitudinal edges of the mesh are aligned, with mesh knuckles defined along each mesh roll edge being aligned point to belly (ie. along adjacent edges).

Spiral joiners 80 (as shown in Figures 5 & 6) are then wound along the adjacent edges to join the mesh sheets together. Referring to Figure 5, each spiral joiner typically has a diameter Dc of 25mm, a pitch P of 38mm, a thickness t of 3.2mm and a length L of lm. Pliers are typically used to bend and twist both ends of the joiners to ensure that the ends are not protruding and the joiner cannot twist out.

Next, three 5.5m lengths of 65 NB pipe are positioned along the leading edge of the joined mesh rolls approximately 300 mm back from the front (leading) edge of the joined rolls. Two pipe lengths are located 500 mm in from each side, with the third pipe being centrally located between the other two. The mesh front edge is rolled back over the pipes and tied in place, preferably by 12mm polypropylene rope. Ropes are then threaded through the pipes ensuring that any pull of the rope is taken by the pipe and not the mesh. Each rope is then taken to the opposite side 24 of the pontoon. Capstan winches are set up on opposite corners and secured to the support structure 12. The ropes are then drawn across the support structure 12 by winding them onto a respective Capstan winch. The mesh is thereby progressively unrolled and moved over the support means by the ropes while adjacent mesh portions are simultaneously joined together using the spiral joiners.

This process is continued until approximately a meter of the mesh roll remains on the pontoon. Depending on the length of the rolls, the mesh may already extend the entire length of the pontoon. However, when for example the rolls are positioned at the lower side 24 of Figure 4, and assuming a first length of unrolled mesh is 8 meters long and the support structure is 24 meters span (inside to inside), the first mesh length will be extended across about the bottom third of the pontoon to define a first row of sheets, shown as position 29 in Figure 4.

Thereafter, a second set of rolls of mesh are set up, partly unrolled on to the pontoon, and these are joined to the end of the first length of mesh sheets using spiral joiners. Adjacent edges are again aligned with knuckles point to belly. Each adjacent sheet is coupled together using the spiral joiners, thereby gradually forming the net base and defining a second row of sheets at location 29. Whilst this is happening, the partly formed net base is progressively moved further out onto the wire support platform by drawing on the ropes with the capstan winches. The first row of mesh is eventually positioned approximately at location 31 in Figure 4. Also, the Tifor winches may be partly unwound so that the cables 20 may be lowered to facilitate the mesh sheets being pulled across each cable 20 and raised again once the mesh has passed over the cable 20.

The process of connecting an additional (third) row of sheets is then repeated. The progressively forming net base 26 is dragged across the support platform as each row is attached until the net base is fully formed. The first mesh row is now positioned at location 30, the second row positioned at location 31, and the third row, defining the bottom third of the net base 26, is at location 29. The net base 26 is thus positioned across the inner edges of the pontoon. The ropes and pipes are then removed.

Now, the side walls 28 are assembled. Rolls of mesh for forming the side walls are positioned on walkway 16 adjacent to end 24 of the pontoon. Several meters of mesh sheet of each roll is unrolled on to the pontoon. The last (third) row of net base sheets at 29 is joined to the ends of a first row of side sheets at 33 using joiners. It is preferred to use a different type of joiner to indicate that the join is different, such as square spirals or painted loose mesh spirals. The longitudinal adjacent edges of the mesh sheets of the side wall are then aligned with knuckles point to belly along the edge and joined using spiral joiners having a diameter Dc of 25mm, a pitch P of 32mm, a thickness t of 3.2mm and a length L of lm..

The spiral joiners are wound on to the joint until fully engaged and then pliers are used to bend and twist both ends ensuring that ends are not protruding and the spiral cannot twist out. Initially just one spiral joiner is used to join adjacent side edges to provide flexibility when subsequently joining the corners.

The opposite side wall is then assembled to define a row of mesh sheets 32 in a manner similar to that described above. The remaining two side walls 28' are then assembled as described above, except that spiral joiners are used instead of square 5 joiners to join the outer longitudinal edges of the outermost sheets 30, 31 and 29 to the leading edge of the sheets of each side wall 28', because of the ease of insertion of the spiral joiners.

Each of the corners are then formed. The joining of one corner having edges 40 and 41 will now be described. To allow edges 40 and 41 of respective side walls 28 and 10 28' to be joined, the edges need to be drawn close to one another as indicated by arrows A A. This is achieved by tying a rope initially to the net base and the corner to be joined. The rope is taken to the opposite corner of the pontoon and is then tensioned to pull the base and corner up. This will allow at least a part of side wall's edges 40 and 41 to move closer to one another so that at least one spiral can be inserted. Once the spiral is 15 inserted the rope is loosened and then attached approximately 150mm above the point where the previous spiral joiner finished and again drawn to the opposite side of the pontoon so that another spiral joiner can be inserted. This is repeated until the corner is completed. The other corners are joined in a similar manner. The adjacent edges of the side walls that are not yet fully joined can then be completed using spiral joiners.

Hanging wire, wire rope or rod 40 is then inserted through the top links of the mesh of all the side walls (Figure 7). Preferably 5 mm thick wire is used, and is bent to form a U-shaped head approximately 300mm in length. The head is inserted through each top link of the mesh and pushed through the width of each sheet of the side wall. The wire is then cut to leave 400mm of wire overhang on either side of the sheet for 25 later joining. This process is repeated until the wire is located along the top of each mesh sheet of the side walls. The wire overhangs are then tied together by looping the wires around each other to form a double loop. The tails of the loops are wrapped around the main body of the wire approximately 200mm back from the double loop and then terminated by forming a small loop at 90° to the wire.

The assembled net is now ready to be coupled to the pontoon and moved into its operational position. This occurs by moving the net off the walkway 16 of the pontoon and onto the support means ensuring that the centre of each mesh side is aligned with the centre of each side of the pontoon. For example, starting at the centre of a side 28' parallel to the supporting wires 22, suspension hooks 42 are inserted into the top of the 35 mesh sides so that each hook holds both the hanging wire and a mesh link. Each hook is preferably formed in two parts, as shown in the applicant's PCT application (published as W02003/091584). As shown in Figure 7, one hook part has an inverted U portion 43 that can be hooked over an inner RHS pontoon perimeter member 44 and into a half-hole on the edge of decking 45 on walkway 16. The other hook part 46 is adapted at 47 for hooking onto the hanging wire 40 and a mesh link. A hook is typically placed every 500 mm to ensure that there is no sag between hooks. Hooks are then positioned on the opposite side 28'.

The two cables 20 are now lowered to give 2 to 3 meters of sag in the net base. Starting in the middle of one side having the support wires 22 coupled thereto, two wires 22 are cut from the one side. The wire 22 is then pulled out on the opposite side. The other end of each of the cut wires 22 is then cut from the pontoon 12 and the wire 22 disposed of. The hook parts are then attached so that each hook extends between the support structure 12 and the net 14.

Thereafter, another two wires 22 are cut, working from the centre to one of the corners and the support hooks progressively attached. The process of cutting wires 22 and attaching hooks is repeated until all the support wires 22 are removed and the net is fully attached around its perimeter to the pontoon by hooks. The net is then lowered by the cables 20 until it hangs under its own weight on the hooks, and the cables and winches are then removed to produce the completed aquaculture apparatus 10 with the net in the operational position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring now to Figures 5 to 7, the wire mesh joining spiral-shaped joiner 80 is shown in detail. The joiner 80 is used to join together adjacent sections of mesh as shown in Figure 7. In this regard, prior to assuming the orientation of Figure 7, mesh sections 82 and 84 are positioned adjacent to each other on decking 45, typically so that they dovetail (knuckles pointing to belly) along their edges as shown in Figure 7. The mesh sections can be separate portions of mesh, or the opposite ends of the same portion of mesh. The joiner is then wound along and into the adjacent apertures 86, 88 of mesh sections 82 and 84, threading through the apertures to join the sections together. The joiner is typically bent and twisted at both ends to ensure that the ends are not protruding and the joiner cannot twist out. However, the joiner can alternatively be crimped, wired, soldered or otherwise fastened at it ends and to the mesh to be held in place.

As indicated by Figure 5, the joiner 80 has variable length L, diameter Dc, pitch P and thickness t, and can define a right or left hand thread, depending on the application in which it is used. For example, the joiner can be provided with a dimension (eg. a diameter) that is sufficiently large to allow joining of mesh portions that are somewhat spaced from each other.

Aquaculture apparatus according to the invention has the advantage that it may be assembled in-situ without the need to transport pre-assembled apparatus to its operational location.

Modifications and variations may be made to the present invention without departing from the basic inventive concept. For example, although the preferred embodiment is described in relation to a rectangular apparatus a skilled addressee will 5 realise that the apparatus need not be rectangular and can be circular etc. It is also noted that the dimensions and number of sheets of mesh may be different from those described. Thus, whilst the invention has been described with reference to a number of preferred embodiments, it should be appreciated that the invention can be embodied in many other forms.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprising" is used in the sense of "including", i.e. the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims (29)

- 12- VVHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A method for assembling an aquaculture apparatus having a support pontoon and a net suspended underneath in use for containing aquatic life, the method comprising the steps of: 5 - installing a support means on the pontoon for supporting the net prior to the net being positioned in an operational position; - positioning the net on the support means and coupling the net to the pontoon; and - removing the support means from the pontoon so that the net moves into the operational position. 10

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of installing a support means comprises installing a plurality of elongate flexible first support members across the pontoon.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the step of installing a support means further comprises installing a plurality of elongate flexible second support members across the 15 pontoon transversely to the first support members.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first support members are cables and the second support members are wires which when installed are supported by the second support members.

5. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the step of 20 positioning the net comprises providing and assembling the net on the support means.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the step of assembling the net further comprises coupling at least one net side wall to a net base.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the net is assembled from four side walls which are each coupled to the pontoon. 25

8. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the net is assembled from four side walls which are each coupled to the pontoon.

9. A method as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the assembly of the net further comprises assembling the net base from a plurality of connected sheets of mesh.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the assembly of the net base comprises the 30 following steps: - positioning a plurality of rolls of elongate mesh sheet substantially roll end to roll end; - unrolling the mesh sheet from each roll so that adjacent longitudinal edges of adjacent sheets of the mesh are aligned; and - coupling the adjacent longitudinal edges together to form the net base 35

11. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z - 8 JUN 2004 RECEIVED - 13- (i) the rolls of mesh are of a length equal to the desired length of the net base; or (ii) a plurality of roll lengths are required to make up the length of the net base.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein step (ii) further comprises the following steps: 5 - positioning one or more further rolls of mesh for each roll length, substantially roll end to roll end; - for the or each additional roll length, coupling a leading edge of the or each additional roll to a trailing edge of the preceding roll; - unrolling the mesh sheet from each further roll so that adjacent longitudinal edges of 10 adjacent sheets of the mesh align; and - coupling together the adjacent longitudinal edges to form the net base.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein the assembly of the net further comprises unrolling the mesh and pulling it over the support means in stages, with the unrolled mesh being coupled to adjacent mesh edges at each stage. 15

14. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein pulling the mesh over the support means comprises rolling and fastening a mesh end portion over a pipe, tying a rope to the pipe and pulling the rope and thus the pipe and attached mesh over the support means.

15. A method as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 14 wherein adjacent mesh sheets of the base are connected by winding a spiral connector so as to connect two adjacent sheet 20 edges.

16. A method as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 15 wherein assembly of the or each net side wall further comprises connecting a plurality of mesh sheets together.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein the assembly of the or each side wall comprises the following steps: 25 - positioning a plurality of rolls of elongate mesh sheet substantially roll end to roll end; - unrolling the mesh from each roll so that adjacent longitudinal edges of adjacent mesh sheets align; and - coupling together the adjacent longitudinal edges to form each side wall.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein the or each side wall is respectively 30 connected to either the leading, trailing or longitudinal edge of outermost sheet(s) of the net base by winding a spiral connector so as to connect the two edges when adjacent to each other.

19. A method as claimed in claim 18 wherein adjacent side walls are connected to one another along adjacent edges to complete assembling of the net. "'"wSVif55, - 8 JUN 2004 Received - 14- 10 15 20 • 25 30

20. A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the connection of adjacent side walls comprises the step of drawing a portion of the net base or the side walls towards an opposite side of the pontoon to bring the adjacent side walls into proximity in a manner that enables adjacent edges of the adjacent walls to be connected together.

21. A method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the step of drawing enables the adjacent edges to be progressively connected until the entire length of adjacent edges are connected.

22. A method as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 21 wherein the step of coupling the net to the pontoon comprises threading a hanging wire through top links of the mesh of the at least one side wall.

23. A method as claimed in claim 22 wherein the step of coupling the net to the pontoon further comprises coupling at least one side wall to the pontoon by a plurality of hooks.

24. A method as claimed in claim 23 wherein each hook is mounted to the pontoon at one end and is coupled to the hanging wire and mesh link at the other.

25. A method as claimed in claim 23 or 24 wherein, when there are four side walls and the support means includes first and second support members, the side walls adjacent to the connections between the second support members and the pontoon are first coupled to the pontoon.

26. A method as claimed in claim 25 wherein the step of removal of the support means comprises lowering of the first support members to provide them with sag such that the remaining side walls can then be coupled to the pontoon.

27. A method as claimed in claim 26 wherein the step of removal of the support means further comprises progressive removal of the second support members, after which the hooks are progressively installed on each remaining side wall.

28. A method as claimed in claim 27 wherein the step of removal of the support means further comprises releasing and then removing the first support members once all hooks are in place and all of the second support members are removed, whereupon the net is lowered into the operational position.

29. A method for assembling an aquaculture apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. ONESTEEL MANUFACTURING PTY LTD By its Attorneys TAMES & WELLS