WO2019093903A1

WO2019093903A1 - Fish farm

Info

Publication number: WO2019093903A1
Application number: PCT/NO2018/050269
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arne VAGLE
Original assignee: Global Maritime As
Priority date: 2017-11-09
Filing date: 2018-11-08
Publication date: 2019-05-16
Also published as: NO20200607A1; GB202007540D0; GB2582718A; NO20171778A1; NO343994B1; GB2582718B

Abstract

A semi-submersible fish farm (1,100,101) comprises a partially submerged lower part (2) configured to hold a net cage (4,4a-d) therein and having a plurality of substantially vertical columns (5a- d) supporting an upper part (3) in a position above a waterline; the upper part (3) comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal structural members (6a-d) extending between the vertical columns (5a-d). There is also provided a feeding barge (200,200') for a fish farm, comprising a spar (202) having an elongate vertically oriented hull (203) with a ballasted section (204), a topside module (206), and a feed storage (207a, b); wherein the topside module (206) comprises a feed conveyance system configured for conveying feed from the feed storage (207a, b) to the fish farm.

Description

FISH FARM

The present invention relates to a fish farm, and particularly a semi-submersible offshore fish farm.

BACKGROUND

The fish farming industry has experienced strong growth over the recent years, and there is a continuous effort to improve technology relating to fish farming. One of the objectives of these efforts is to exploit more exposed locations within the fjords and/or towards the open sea. In addition to creating a safe and stable platform for fish farming which can exploit these more exposed areas along the coastline, there is at the same time a requirement to keep the simplicity of construction and cost low for the fish farmer. Additionally, there is a demand to develop fish farming technology which allows safe and environmentally friendly fish farming with low operational costs, while maintaining a high degree of fish welfare.

Publications which may be useful to understand the background include WO 2017/026899 A1 , WO 2015/099540 A1 and WO 2017/153417 A1.

The present invention has the objective to improve or provide alternatives to existing technology in the above or other areas.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, there is provided a semi-submersible fish farm comprising: a lower part configured to be at least partially submerged; an upper part fixed to the lower part; the lower part configured to hold a net cage therein and having a plurality of substantially vertical columns supporting the upper part in a position above a waterline; the upper part comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal structural members extending between the vertical columns.

In an embodiment, there is provided a feeding barge for a fish farm, comprising a spar having an elongate vertically oriented hull with a ballasted section at a lower part of the hull and a buoyant section at an upper part of the hull, a topside module arranged at an upper end of the hull, and a feed storage; wherein the topside module comprises a feed conveyance system configured for conveying feed from the feed storage to the fish farm.

The appended dependent claims outline further embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics will become clear from the following description of illustrative embodiments, given as non-restrictive examples, with reference to the attached drawings, in which

Figures 1-9 illustrate various views of a semi-submersible fish farm according to embodiments,

Figure 10 shows fish farms according to another embodiment,

Figures 1 1 and 12 show aspects of fish farms according to other

embodiments, and

Figures 13A, 13B and 14 show a feeding barge according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description may use terms such as "horizontal", "vertical", "lateral", "back and forth", "up and down", "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "forward", "rear", etc. These terms generally refer to the views and orientations as shown in the drawings and that are associated with a normal use of the invention. The terms are used for the reader's convenience only and shall not be limiting.

In an embodiment, illustrated in Fig. 1 , there is provided a semi-submersible fish farm 1 comprising a lower part 2 configured to be at least partially submerged and an upper part 3 fixed to the lower part 2. Figures 2 and 3A,B show the lower part 2 in more detail. The lower part 2 is configured to hold a net cage 4 therein (see Figs 3A and 3B) and has a plurality of substantially vertical columns 5a-d supporting the upper part 3 in a position above a waterline.

The net cage 4 may be a closed net of conventional type arranged for holding farmed fish trapped, such as Atlantic salmon. The net cage 4 may be fixed to the vertical columns 5a-d, as illustrated in Figs 3A and 3B, or to the upper part 3, or to both the lower part 2 and the upper part 3.

The lower part 2 may comprise various structural support members, such as a plurality of horizontal support members 8a-d (so-called pontoons) at a lower end of the lower part 2 and further structural support members (so-called brace elements) extending between the vertical columns 5a-d and the horizontal support members 8a-d, as can be seen in e.g. Fig. 2. The columns 5a-d, pontoons 8a-d and/or the brace elements are designed to provide the required ballast and buoyancy for the fish farm 1.

In this embodiment, as can be seen in Figs 3A and 3B, the net cage 4 comprises an upper support line 4' which is fixed to and extends between the vertical columns 5a- d. The upper support line 4' forms a catenary between at least two of the vertical columns 5a-d. The upper support line 4' is hung of in strongpoints in the vertical columns 5a-d, and the catenary form of the line reduces the forces in cables and leads the forces onto fixed strongpoints in the structure. The catenary form contributes in and between two planes, in plane for pretension and in plane grid tension in suspender cables, and out of plane with respect to net global drag forces.

The net cage 4 is also, in a lower part thereof, fixed to the vertical columns 5a-d and/or to the horizontal support members 8a-d. This ensures that the net cage 4 is maintained securely in its design form and shape, also under the influence of currents, wave motion, etc. The net cage 4 can be fixed to the vertical columns 5a-d or to the horizontal support members 8a-d via at least one fairlead 31 (shown in Fig 3C). This provides advantages, for example, when installing or removing the net cage 4, or when controlling its tension and ensuring that it remains correctly in place during operation.

The net cage 4 can be designed so that it can be replaced (i.e., installed or removed) with the fish farm 1 in operational draft. This is shown illustratively in Figs 3C-3E. Fairleads 31 are installed at strongpoints in the lower four columns 5a-d, with winches (not shown) at the upper part of the columns 5a-d, and pennant lines from the net cage 4 are run through the fairleads 31 and into the winches. The winches can then pull the net cage 4 into position and tension it up for an installation operation. For removal, the winches slack off the tension and pass slack in the pennant lines while a crane (such as the bridge crane 7 described below) lifts the net cage 4 upwards.

The horizontal support members 8a-d can have central, passive hang of supports in addition to the fairleads 31 and/or other connection points at the vertical columns 5a-d.

Figures 3C-3E illustrate a removal operation. Firstly, the lower fixation is released by slacking the pennant lines through the fairleads 31 , as shown in Fig. 3C. The crane (e.g. the bridge crane 7) is then used to hang off and detach the upper hang-off points at the upper part of the columns 5a-d. The net cage 4 can then be compacted for transport, as illustrated in Fig. 3D. The compacted net cage 4 can be loaded onto a vessel 32, for example a workboat or a barge. In one embodiment, the vessel 32 can enter into the fish farm 1 , i.e. within the space defined by the columns 5a-d, for picking up or delivering the net cage 4.

For installation, the process described above is effectively reversed.

The upper part 3 comprises a plurality of substantially horizontal structural members 6a-d extending between the vertical columns 5a-d. The horizontal structural members 6a-d may comprise or be made up entirely of a truss structure. This provides a low weight structure with high structural strength. Alternatively, the horizontal structural members 6a-d may be made up of another type of structure, such as a hollow, closed beam, a non-hollow beam, or the like.

In this embodiment, the substantially horizontal structural members 6a-d define a polygon in a horizontal plane. The horizontal support members 8a-d of the lower part 2 also define a polygon in the horizontal plane. The polygon in this embodiment is a quadrilateral, however the polygon may have a different form, such as a pentagon or a hexagon. The polygon defined by the horizontal structural members 6a-d of the upper part 3 may have the same form as the polygon defined by the horizontal support members 8a-d of the lower part 2, or these may be different.

In an embodiment, at least two of the horizontal structural members 6a-d may be arranged in parallel, and a bridge crane 7 is arranged between, and supported by, these two parallel horizontal structural members 6a-d. This provides the advantage of, for example, that access to a large part of (or substantially the entire) surface area of the net cage 4 is accessible. The bridge crane further allows an elongate element to be raised or lowered simultaneously over a full width of the net cage 4. This may, for example, be a separation wall or net, a tarpaulin or other type of container for treatment (for example, for removal of sea lice), or a side of the net cage 4 itself, e.g. for exchanging the net cage 4 or for cleaning it.

The fish farm 1 may be designed such that the at least two parallel horizontal structural members 6a-d which support the bridge crane 7 extend outside an area enclosed by the substantially horizontal structural members 6a-d. The bridge crane 7 can thus be movable to a position which is outside this area, i.e. not directly above the net cage 4, but above open water on the outside of the fish farm 1. This may allow the bridge crane 7 to pick up supplies or equipment from a ship or vessel near the fish farm 1 , for example the feed containers 11 a-c which are described in further detail below.

Illustrated most clearly in Figs 4A, 4B, 5B and 6, the fish farm may, in one embodiment, be arranged with the horizontal structural members 6a-d having an internal space. This space may be arranged for use as a workspace, for storage, for equipment used in the operation of the fish farm, or for other purposes. For example, a gangway, a work platform, a workmen's shed 10a, 10b, a feed storage 11 a-c, or equipment for fish farming can be arranged at least partly within the internal space.

Figures 4A and 4B show an example of a workmen's shed 10a, 10b being arranged within the truss structure of the structural members 6a and 6c. The workmen's shed 10a, 10b may, for example, comprise accommodation and/or amenities for the operators, control rooms, etc. The workman's shed 10a, 10b is in this embodiment arranged fully within the structural member 6a, 6c, however may also be arranged only partially within the structural member 6a, 6c.

Figures 5A and 5B show an example of feed containers 1 1a-c arranged within the truss structure of the structural members 6a and 6c. The feed containers 1 1a-c may be fixed in the structural members 6a, 6c, or may be retrievable (see below). The feed containers 11 a-c are in this embodiment arranged partially within the structural member 6a, 6c, however may also be arranged fully within the structural member 6a, 6c. The feed containers 11 a-c may be connected to a feeding system arranged elsewhere in the fish farm 1 , such as a pneumatic or mechanical conveyance arrangement for conveying feed to the net cage 4.

Figure 6 shows an overview illustration of the fish farm 1 with workman's sheds 10a, 10b and feed containers 1 1a-c arranged. The structural members 6a and 6c need not necessarily be a truss structure for equipment or storage to be arranged within an internal space of it; the structural members may equally well be a hollow beam or the like.

In an embodiment, the gangway, the work platform, the workmen's sheds 10a, 10b, the feed storage containers 11 a-c or other equipment for fish farming is arranged as a retrievable module which can be selectively installed or retrieved from the respective horizontal structural member 6a-d. The retrievable module can be arranged for retrieval through a top opening of the respective horizontal structural member 6a-d, such as shown in Fig. 5B for the feed containers 1 1a-c. Alternatively, the module can be arranged for retrieval through a side opening of the respective horizontal structural member 6a-d, such as illustrated in Figs 4A and 4B. The modules can be retrieved by a dedicated vessel, or by equipment on the fish farm 1 itself, for example the bridge crane 7 or the rotatable crane 10 described in further detail below. The bridge crane 7 may, for example, be operable to move outside the net pen 4, to pick up feed containers 11 a-c from a ship and place them in the appropriate slots. This permits safe and efficient provision of feed to the fish farm 1 , and allows varying the type and number of feed containers 1 1a-c that is used according to demand and operational requirements.

Figure 7 illustrates a top view of a fish farm 1 according to the above embodiments.

Figure 8A and 8B show an embodiment, wherein the fish farm 1 comprises a secondary net, in this embodiment being a lice skirt 12, arranged at least partly around the net cage 4 (not shown in Figs 8A and 8B for clarity, but see Fig. 3). The lice skirt 12 may be fixed to and supported by the substantially vertical columns 5a- d. Alternatively, or additionally, the lice skirt may be fixed to and supported by the upper part 3, such as one or more of the horizontal structural members 6a-d. The secondary net may, alternatively, be a barrier for protection against drifting items in the sea, or a combined barrier and lice skirt. The secondary net solution is flexible, it can be adapted and modified accordance to operation experience and results, and it can also be prepared for site to site specific requirements.

In this embodiment, the secondary net 12 comprises a catenary suspension line 12' being fixed to and extending between the vertical columns 5a-d. The suspension line 12' is arranged to provide vertical support for the secondary net 12. The secondary net 12 further comprises a tensioning line 12" arranged at a lower part of the secondary net 12. The tensioning line 12" is also fixed to and extending between the substantially vertical columns 5a-d, and is arranged to provide vertical support for the secondary net 12, in this preventing upwards movement of the secondary net 12. The tensioning line 12" can be arranged as an inverted catenary, as shown in Figs 8A and 8B, or the tensioning line 12" can have a different form. The

suspension line 12' and the tensioning line 12" are hung off in strongpoints of the global structure, and the catenary form of the lines reduces the forces in cables and onto fixed strongpoints. The catenary form contributes in and between two planes, in plane for pretension and in plane grid tension in suspender cables, and out of plane with respect to Net global drag forces. Fairleads can be installed at the columns 5a- d outer sides, and fixed in hang-of points in top, pennant lines from the secondary net can be run through the fairleads and into the winches. The winches can then be used to pull the secondary net into position and tension it up for installation, and slack of the tension for removal.

Figure 9 shows an embodiment, in which the fish farm 1 comprises a rotatable crane 10. The rotatable crane 10 may be fixed to the lower part 2 and/or the upper part 3. The rotatable crane 10 has a crane base 10b and a crane boom 10a. The crane base 10b can advantageously be arranged above and spanning one of the vertical columns 5a-d. This may improve structural stability and operational flexibility of the crane 10. The rotatable crane 10 may be arranged such that the crane boom 10a is operable to reach outside an area enclosed by the substantially horizontal structural members 6a-d, i.e. outside the net cage 4. This may allow the rotatable crane 10 to move supplies and equipment from the fish farm 1 to a support vessel near the fish farm 1.

Figure 10 shows embodiments of a fish farm 100, 101 , 102 wherein the lower part 2 is configured to hold a plurality of net cages 4a-d. The fish farm 100, 101 , 102 may otherwise comprise any of the features described above, or any combination thereof. As can be seen in Fig. 10, four net cages 4a-d can be arranged in a substantially square pattern, or two or three net cages 4a-c can, for example, be arranged side-by-side. Arranging more than one net cage 4a-d in the fish farm 100,101 , 102 may improve structural stability, production capacity and simplify mooring arrangements and operation of the fish farm 100,101 , 102, for example in that common systems can be utilised for operational purposes. (For example, there may be common systems for feeding, monitoring, waste handling, etc.)

In one embodiment, the bridge crane 7 comprises feeding equipment for conveying feed from a feed storage to the net cage 4. This may be, for example, a pipe system and feed distributors arranged on the bridge crane 7, where the pipe system is connected to a feed storage which is for example arranged on the upper part 3. In this manner, distribution of feed to the net cage 4 can be controlled by operating the bridge crane 7 back and forward along a length of the fish farm 1. In one embodiment, illustrated in Fig. 1 1 , the fish farm 1 comprises a vertically arranged net 21 suspended from the bridge crane 7 and extending across a part of the width, or the majority of the width, of the net cage 4 below the bridge crane 7. The net 21 preferably extends from above the waterline 208 and down towards the bottom of the net cage 4.

By moving the net 21 from one side of the net cage 4 to the other by means of the bridge crane 7, fish in the net cage 4 can be pushed and crowded in a smaller volume. This can be beneficial during harvesting/slaughtering of the fish, for treatment of the fish (such as sea lice removal or medication), for cleaning part of the net cage 4, or for other types of operations.

In one embodiment, illustrated in Fig. 12, the fish farm 1 comprises a waste collector 22 arranged below the net cage 4. The waste collector 22 is suspended by the lower part 2, for example the horizontal support members 8a-d. A conveyance system (not shown) is arranged to transfer collected waste, such as fish feces, waste feed, or other biological material, to the upper part 3 for treatment and/or disposal. A pump or a gas lift system may, for example, be employed for this purpose.

The waste collector 22 may comprise at least partly of a tarpaulin. In one

embodiment, the waste collector 22 may make up the bottom wall of the net cage 4.

Figs 13A and 13B show embodiments of a feeding barge 200,200' for a fish farm. The feeding barge 200 shown in Fig. 13A comprises a spar 202 having an elongate vertically oriented hull 203 with a ballasted section 204 at a lower part 203a of the hull 203 and a buoyant section 205 at an upper part 203b of the hull 203. The ballasted section 204 can comprise fixed ballast, e.g. concrete, and removable ballast, such as water. A topside module 206 is arranged at an upper end of the hull 203 and is supported by the hull 203 above a waterline 208. A feed storage 207a is arranged in the topside module 206, and the topside module 206 comprises a feed conveyance system configured for conveying feed from the feed storage 207a, b to the fish farm. The fish farm may be a fish farm as described above and in relation to any of Figs 1-10, or it may be a conventional fish farm of any type.

According to this embodiment, a feeding barge 200 which is able to withstand harsher conditions (e.g. higher waves) is provided, for example suitable for use farther offshore than conventional fish farms currently operate. The spar-type barge will have improved behaviour in water, thereby for example reducing breakage or clogging of feed pipes extending from the feeding barge to the net pens in the fish farm. Such breakage or clogging is a common problem in bad weather, when the pipes are subject to heavy bending, particularly in the area between the feed conveyance system on the barge and the waterline 208.

Figure 13B shows a feeding barge 200' which is equivalent to that shown in Fig. 13A, with the exception that in this embodiment, the feed storage 207b is arranged in the elongate vertically oriented hull 203. In this embodiment, the feed storage 207b can be arranged partly below the waterline 208 of the feeding barge 200' or entirely below the waterline 208. This may give yet further advantages in stability and behaviour in water, and may allow a design with a shorter length of the spar 203, as can be seen by comparing Figs 13A and 13B.

The topside module 206 may, if desired, comprise further elements, such as accommodation, feeding systems, waste handling systems, power generation, etc. Alternatively, some of this equipment may be located in the hull 203.

Figure 14 illustrates the feeding barge 200 in an installed position, having mooring lines 209a-e extending from the hull 203 to the sea floor for mooring of the barge 200.

According to embodiments described here, there is therefore provided fish farm and feeding barge technology which provide advantages over known solutions and techniques in several respects. Nevertheless, the invention is not limited by the embodiments described above; reference should be had to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A semi-submersible fish farm (1 ,100, 101) comprising:

a lower part (2) configured to be at least partially submerged;

an upper part (3) fixed to the lower part (2);

the lower part (2) configured to hold a net cage (4,4a-d) therein and having a plurality of substantially vertical columns (5a-d) supporting the upper part (3) in a position above a waterline;

the upper part (3) comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal structural members (6a-d) extending between the vertical columns (5a-d).

2. A fish farm (1 , 100, 101) according to claim 1 , wherein at least two of the

horizontal structural members (6a-d) are arranged in parallel and a bridge crane (7) is arranged between, and supported by, the at least two parallel horizontal structural members (6a-d).

3. A fish farm (1 , 100, 101) according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least two parallel horizontal structural members (6a-d) are arranged such that the bridge crane (7) is movable to a position outside an area enclosed by the substantially horizontal structural members (6a-d).

4. A fish farm (1 , 100, 101) according to any of the two preceding claims,

wherein the bridge crane (7) comprises a feed conveyance system configured for conveying feed from a feed storage to the net cage (4,4a-d).

5. A fish farm (1 , 100, 101) according to any of the three preceding claims,

comprising a vertically arranged net (21) suspended from the bridge crane (7) into the net cage (4,4a-d).

6. A fish farm (1 , 100, 101) according to any preceding claim, wherein:

the plurality of substantially horizontal structural members (6a-d) define a polygon in a horizontal plane, and/or

a plurality of horizontal support members (8a-d) of the lower part (2), the horizontal support members (8a-d) extending between the vertical columns (5a-d), define a polygon in the horizontal plane.

7. A fish farm (1 , 100, 101) according to the preceding claim, wherein the polygon is a quadrilateral, a pentagon or a hexagon.

8. A fish farm (1 , 100, 101) according to any preceding claim, wherein the

horizontal structural members (6a-d) comprises a truss structure.

9. A fish farm (1 , 100, 101) according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the horizontal structural members (6a-d) has an internal space, and wherein one or more of a gangway, a work platform, a workmen's shed (10a, 10b), a feed storage (11a-c), and equipment for fish farming is arranged at least partly within the internal space.

10. A fish farm (1 , 100, 101) according to the preceding claim, wherein the

gangway, the work platform, the workmen's shed (10a, 10b), the feed storage (1 1 a-c) or the equipment for fish farming is arranged as a retrievable module which can be selectively installed or retrieved from the respective horizontal structural member (6a-d).

1 1. A fish farm (1 , 100, 101) according to the preceding claim, wherein the

retrievable module can be retrieved through a (i) top opening of the respective horizontal structural members (6a-d), or (ii) side opening of the respective horizontal structural members (6a-d).

12. A fish farm (1 , 100, 101) according to any preceding claim, wherein the lower part (2) configured to hold a plurality of net cages (4,4a-d).

13. A fish farm (1 , 100, 101) according to any preceding claim, comprising a

rotatable crane (10, 10a, 10b) fixed to the lower part (2) and/or the upper part (3).

14. A fish farm (1 , 100, 101) according to the preceding claim, wherein the

rotatable crane (10, 10a, 10b) has a crane base (10b) arranged above and spanning one of the vertical columns (5a-d).

15. A fish farm (1 , 100, 101) according to any of the two preceding claims, wherein the rotatable crane (10, 10a, 10b) has a crane boom (10a) which is operable to reach outside an area enclosed by the substantially horizontal structural members (6a-d).

16. A fish farm (1 , 100,101) according to any preceding claim, wherein the net cage (4,4a-d) comprises an upper support line (4') which is fixed to and extending between the substantially vertical columns (5a-d).

17. A fish farm (1 , 100,101) according to the preceding claim, wherein the upper support line (4') forms a catenary between at least two of the substantially vertical columns (5a-d).

18. A fish farm (1 , 100, 101) according to any preceding claim, wherein the net cage (4,4a-d) in a lower part thereof is fixed to the substantially vertical columns (5a-d) or to a plurality of horizontal support members (8a-d) extending between the vertical columns (5a-d).

19. A fish farm (1 , 100, 101) according to the preceding claim, wherein the net cage (4,4a-d) is fixed to the substantially vertical columns (5a-d) or to the plurality of horizontal support members (8a-d) via at least one fairlead (31).

20. A fish farm (1 , 100, 101) according to any preceding claim, comprising a secondary net (12) arranged at least partly around the net cage (4,4a-d).

21. A fish farm (1 , 100, 101) according to the preceding claim, wherein the

secondary net (12) is fixed to and supported by the substantially vertical columns (5a-d).

22. A fish farm (1 , 100,101) according to the preceding claim, wherein the

secondary net (12) comprises a catenary suspension line (12'), the catenary suspension line (12') being fixed to and extending between the substantially vertical columns (5a-d) and arranged to provide vertical support for the secondary net (12).

23. A fish farm (1 , 100, 101) according to the preceding claim, wherein the secondary net (12) comprises a tensioning line (12") arranged at a lower part of the secondary net (12), the tensioning line (12") being fixed to and extending between the substantially vertical columns (5a-d) and arranged to provide vertical support for the secondary net (12).

24. A fish farm (1 , 100,101) according to the preceding claim, wherein the

tensioning line (12") is arranged as an inverted catenary.

25. A fish farm according to any of the five preceding claims, wherein the

secondary net (12) is at least one of (i) a barrier for protection against drifting items in the sea and (ii) a lice skirt.

26. A fish farm (1 , 100, 101) according to any preceding claim, comprising a

waste collector (22) arranged below the net cage (4,4a-d) and suspended by the lower part (2).

27. A feeding barge (200,200') for a fish farm, comprising

a spar (202) having an elongate vertically oriented hull (203) with a ballasted section (204) at a lower part (203a) of the hull (203) and a buoyant section (205) at an upper part (203b) of the hull (203),

a topside module (206) arranged at an upper end of the hull (203), and a feed storage (207a, b);

wherein the topside module (206) comprises a feed conveyance system configured for conveying feed from the feed storage (207a, b) to the fish farm.

28. A feeding barge (200,200') according to the preceding claim, wherein the feed storage (207a, b) is arranged in the elongate vertically oriented hull (203).

29. A feeding barge (200,200') according to the preceding claim, wherein the feed storage (207a, b) is arranged:

partly below a waterline (208) of the feeding barge (200,200'), or

entirely below a waterline (208) of the feeding barge (200,200').

30. A feeding barge (200,200') according to any of claims 27-29, wherein the feed storage (207a, b) is arranged in the topside module (206).

31. A fish farming assembly comprising a fish farm (1 ,100, 101) according to any of claims 1-26 and a feeding barge (200,200') according to any of claims 27- 30, wherein the feeding barge (200,200') is configured to convey feed from the feed storage (207a, b) to the net cage (4,4a-d).