WO2020229631A1 - Cage for fish farming - Google Patents

Cage for fish farming Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020229631A1
WO2020229631A1 PCT/EP2020/063539 EP2020063539W WO2020229631A1 WO 2020229631 A1 WO2020229631 A1 WO 2020229631A1 EP 2020063539 W EP2020063539 W EP 2020063539W WO 2020229631 A1 WO2020229631 A1 WO 2020229631A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
container
fish farming
flexible cage
cage
closed
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2020/063539
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Gunnar NYBØ
Original Assignee
Marine Rådgivningstjenester As
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Marine Rådgivningstjenester As filed Critical Marine Rådgivningstjenester As
Priority to GB2116473.6A priority Critical patent/GB2597630B/en
Priority to CA3140239A priority patent/CA3140239A1/en
Publication of WO2020229631A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020229631A1/en
Priority to DKPA202101182A priority patent/DK202101182A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K61/00—Culture of aquatic animals
    • A01K61/10—Culture of aquatic animals of fish
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K61/00—Culture of aquatic animals
    • A01K61/60—Floating cultivation devices, e.g. rafts or floating fish-farms
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
    • Y02A40/80—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in fisheries management
    • Y02A40/81—Aquaculture, e.g. of fish

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to a cage for fish farming or other aquatic organisms. More particularly, the present invention relates to a closed, flexible cage for fish farming or other aquatic organisms.
  • buoyancy structure that keeps the net afloat.
  • a traditional, floating and open cage for fish farming includes the necessary moorings and anchorage system to keep the cage for fish farming in place.
  • a jumping net may further be arranged around the buoyancy structure to prevent the fish from escaping by jumping over the buoyancy structure.
  • Such a floating, closed cage for fish farming may, for example, consist of a tarpaulin or cloth designed to form a cage bag or container in the cage for fish farming.
  • the tarpaulin or cloth is made of a dense or water impermeable material.
  • a conventional net bag may furthermore be provided.
  • Such floating, closed cages for fish farming can be large, often with a square shape with sizes of 50x50 meters or a circular shape with a diameter of 50m, and the depth can also be considerable and often more than 30 meters.
  • the cage for fish farming can be affected by and subjected to great forces, and it is often felt that these forces become too large in relation to material choice and the construction of the cage for fish farming, whereby the cage bags may tear or rupture.
  • a floating, closed cage for fish farming may be formed as a rigid or stiff structure, where the cage for fish farming may be formed as a composite, steel, or concrete structure.
  • NO 342245 B1 relates to a cage for fish farming or other aquatic organisms, where the cage for fish farming comprises a container arranged to delimit a volume of water in an immersed state, a float collar arranged in an upper part of the container, where the floating collar comprises a channel extending diagonally across the cage for fish farming.
  • NO 34191 1 B1 relates to a coupling for releasably attaching an enclosure in a cage for fish farming to a buoyancy body
  • the enclosure has a wall with an outside and an inside
  • the enclosure is attached to the buoyancy body which floats on a water surface
  • the buoyancy body has an inside , an outside and an upper side, where a fastening eye is attached to the outside of the wall in a portion below the buoyant body
  • a strap connects the fastening eye to the buoyancy body, the strap is provided with a first portion and a second portion, and the strap is provided with a hook in at least one of the first portion and the second portion.
  • the use of a circular loop as a strap in the coupling is also described.
  • WO 2018/194462 A1 relates to A pen system for farming aquatic organisms, the pen system comprising an outer surrounding rigid structure and an internal, closed enclosure; the outer surrounding rigid structure forming an upper portion and a lower portion, the pen system further including : - an internal surrounding connecting element, the closed enclosure being attached to the connecting element;
  • heave-compensation system comprising a plurality of fluid-filled cylinders, each fluid-filled cylinder being hingedly attached, in a first end portion, to the
  • connecting element and being hingedly attached, in a second end portion, to the inside of the rigid structure.
  • CN 107926801 A relates to a net cage breeding device for aquaculture, where the device comprises a floating platform, a liquid level and a force division machine; the floating platform is floated on the liquid level, and the bottom of the floating platform is connected with the force division machine; the top of a main rope is connected with the force division machine, and the bottom of the main rope is connected with the bottom of silt through a fixing base; a protective fence is arranged on the top of the floating platform and is fixedly connected with the floating platform; a lower-layer breeding net is located below the floating platform, and a lower-layer supporting frame is arranged in the lower-layer breeding net.
  • WO 2018/048310 A1 relates to a floating installation which can, for example, be used for the farming of marine organisms, where the installation comprises a bag to establish a main water reservoir, where the walls are fastened to a floating collar with at least one inlet pipeline for supply of fresh water and with at least one outlet pipeline for discharge of water and waste from the net cage.
  • the installation can also be used for storing of water, purification of water and for the treatment of water. Also described is a method for treatment of water that is supplied to a cage in a cage installation.
  • NO 343021 B1 relates to a dense or sealed bag for farmed cages equipped with elongated channels for receiving liquid for stiffening the bag, and a method for regulating the rigidity of a flexible cage bag.
  • the present invention aims to alleviate or reduce at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least to provide a useful alternative to the prior art.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide a cage for fish farming which is easy to assemble, remove, replace and maintain.
  • the present invention relates to a closed, flexible cage for fish farming or other aquatic organisms, where the closed, flexible cage for fish farming comprises a container which delimits a volume of water in an immersed state and which forms the enclosure for fish, where an upper portion of the container is connected to at least one floating collar, where the at least one floating collar is arranged around an inner circumference of the container and connected to the container.
  • the container in the closed flexible cage for fish farming may be made of a cloth or tarpaulin made of a substantially impermeable material, whereby the container will form an effective barrier against toxic algae, algal toxins and/or crustacean parasites such as salmon lice.
  • the floating collar By arranging the floating collar around the inner circumference of the container, jerking forces in the cloth or tarpaulin may be eliminated, where these jerking forces are caused by hydrostatic and hydrodynamic forces from waves outside the closed, flexible cage for fish farming.
  • Jerking forces in the cloth or tarpaulin may also be caused by waves (also called sloshing) which are formed within the closed, flexible cage for fish farming, where the hydrostatic and hydrodynamic forces from these internal waves may also be dampened by arranging the floating collar around the inner circumference of the container.
  • waves also called sloshing
  • the container will function almost like a rigid body.
  • the container in the closed, flexible cage for fish farming may be made from a single piece of a cloth or tarpaulin and which further is designed to form the enclosure for fish, but it is also conceivable that the container may be made from a number of wall and bottom panels which are appropriately connected to each other to form the enclosure for fish.
  • the wall and bottom panels may be made of the same material, but it is also conceivable that the wall and bottom panels may be made of different materials and/or combinations of materials, where the materials may vary with respect to strength flexibility, thickness etc.
  • the closed, flexible cage for fish farming may be made from a plurality of wall panels assembled to form the wall of the container and a plurality of bottom panels assembled to form the bottom of the container.
  • the wall panels may further be assembled such that an upper part of the wall of the container, i.e. the part of the wall of the container which is closest to a surface of water in the body of water, is formed of a thicker and less flexible material than a lower part of the wall of the container, as the upper part of the container is being subjected to greater forces or loads from waves and winds than the lower part of the container, both from the outside and inside the closed, flexible cage for fish farming.
  • bottom panels in a lower part of the bottom of the container may be made of a thicker and less flexible material than an upper part of the bottom of the container, as the lower part of the bottom is being subjected to greater loads than the upper part of the bottom, as bottom waste etc. will gather in the lower part of the bottom.
  • the wall and bottom panels may further be made of one or more layers of the same material or a combination of materials.
  • the floating collar arranged around the inner circumference of the container may be arranged to extend continuously around the entire inner circumference of the container. It is to be understood, however, that the floating collar may also be arranged to extend discontinuously around the inner circumference of the container, whereby the floating collar may, for example, be divided into a plurality of "sub floating collars" which are arranged spaced apart.
  • the "sub-floating collars" may be made of the same or different length.
  • the side of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming which is most exposed to waves and wind loads may be provided with a "sub-floating collar" which covers half the
  • circumference of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming while the other half of the circumference of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming which is exposed to minor stresses from waves and winds may be equipped with a number of smaller "sub-floating collars" which are arranged spaced apart from each other.
  • two floating collars are arranged around the inner circumference of the container, where the two floating collars may be arranged side by side or above each other, so as to provide necessary buoyancy and/or reserve buoyancy.
  • the two floating collars may be arranged side by side or above each other, so as to provide necessary buoyancy and/or reserve buoyancy.
  • more than two floating collars may also be used.
  • one floating collar may be arranged to extend continuously around the entire inner circumference of the container, while the other floating collar may comprise a plurality of "sub-floating collars" which are arranged spaced apart from each other.
  • the floating collar may be made of a suitable material which provides the desired buoyancy, or the floating collar may be made as a hose which can be filled with air.
  • the floating collar may be arranged to be fully submerged or immersed in a body of water, but it should be understood that the floating collar may also be partially submerged in the body of water. If two floating collars arranged side by side are used, both floating collars may be fully or partially submerged in the body of water. If two floating collars arranged above one another are used, one floating collar may be fully or partially submerged in the body of water, while the upper floating collar may be disposed above the water surface of the body of water.
  • the floating collar or floating collars may also be ballastable and deballastable so as to be able to position the closed, flexible cage for fish farming higher or lower in the body of water, whereby the floating collar or floating collars will then be suitably connected to a system which allows ballasting or deballasting of the floating collar(s).
  • a floating collar and system that allows ballasting or deballasting and this is not described further herein.
  • the closed flexible cage for fish farming may further comprise a first element which also is arranged around the inner circumference of the container, whereby this first element may be used, for example, to support the container by appropriately connecting the container to the first element and/or the floating collar.
  • This first element may, for example, be conceived to be a railing and/or a foundation for equipment for the closed, flexible cage for fish farming.
  • the first element may be arranged to extend continuously or discontinuously around entire or part of the inner circumference of the container.
  • the first element may then be divided into a number of "sub-elements" which are arranged spaced apart from each other.
  • the first element may be a separate, individual and independent element which may in appropriate ways be connected to the floating collar, but it should be understood that the first element may also be an integral part of the floating collar.
  • the first element and the floating collar can be integrated with each other, whereby this is not described further herein.
  • the first element may be disposed over a surface of the body of water, but in some embodiments of the present invention it is also conceivable that the first element may be arranged at least partially submerged in the body of water.
  • the closed, flexible cage for fish farming may also comprise a second element arranged around the inner circumference of the container.
  • the second element may be used, for example, to support the container, to be a fixing for the container and/or floating collar, and/or to be a foundation for equipment for the closed, flexible cage for fish farming.
  • the second element may, corresponding to the first element, be arranged to extend continuously or discontinuously around the entire or part of the inner circumference of the container.
  • the second element may then be divided into a number of "sub elements" which are arranged spaced apart from each other.
  • the second element may be a separate, individual and independent element which may in appropriate ways be connected to the floating collar, but it should be understood that the second element may also be an integral part of the floating collar.
  • the second element and the floating collar can be integrated with each other, whereby this is not described further herein.
  • the second element may be arranged submerged in the body of water, but in some embodiments of the present invention it is also conceivable that the second element may be arranged at least partially above the surface of the body of water.
  • equipment for the closed, flexible cage for fish farming it should be understood components or elements needed for working and/or operation of the fish farm, throughout the life of the fish farm and under all operating conditions, where this may, for example, be moorings for the cage for fish farming, pumps, hoses, waste handling system or the like.
  • the floating collar which is arranged around the inner circumference of the container may be designed to have a circular, a square, a triangular, or a polygonal shape. If more than one floating collar is used, the floating collars may have the same or different shape.
  • the closed flexible cage for fish farming may also include necessary moorings and anchorage system to hold the closed flexible cage for fish farming in place.
  • necessary moorings and anchorage system to hold the closed flexible cage for fish farming in place.
  • the closed, flexible cage for fish farming may also comprise a water exchange system, wherein the water exchange system may comprise one or more pumps, one or more filters, etc.
  • Figure 1 shows schematically a side section of a closed, flexible cage for fish farming according to the prior art
  • Fig. 2A shows schematically a side view of a closed, flexible cage for fish farming according to the present invention
  • Figure 2B shows schematically a side view of an alternative embodiment of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming according to figure 2A
  • Figure 3 shows in greater detail a section of the left corner of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming according to figure 2A or 2B,
  • Figure 4A shows a section of an alternative embodiment of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming according to figure 2A or 2B,
  • Figure 4B shows a section of another alternative embodiment of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming according to figure 2A or 2B, and
  • Figure 5 show embodiments of a floating collar used with a closed, flexible cage for fish farming according to the present invention.
  • Figure 1 shows a closed, flexible cage for fish farming O according to the prior art, where the closed, flexible cage for fish farming O comprises a bag P which is connected in suitable ways to a buoyancy element B and a railing R arranged around an outer circumference of the cage for fish farming O.
  • the closed, flexible cage for fish farming O is connected to a seabed (not shown) through a suitable anchoring system (not shown), so as to hold the closed, flexible cage for fish farming O in place.
  • Figure 2A shows a schematic side view of a closed, flexible cage 1 for fish farming according to the present invention, where the closed flexible cage 1 for fish farming comprises a container 2 which delimits a water volume W, in an immersed or submerged state, below a water surface S and which further forms an enclosure for fish.
  • the container 2 is made of a cloth or tarpaulin which is substantially fluid impermeable, for example a strong and flexible composite material, which helps to minimize escape risk, and which will also form an effective barrier against toxic algae, algal toxins and/or crustacean parasites such as salmon lice.
  • the container 2 in the closed, flexible cage 1 for fish farming is made from a single piece of a cloth or tarpaulin.
  • a floating collar 3 is further arranged around an inner circumference of the container 2, i.e. on an inside of the defined water volume W, where the floating collar 3 is arranged extending around the entire inner circumference of the container 2.
  • the floating collar 3 is further arranged partially submerged in a body of water.
  • Figure 2B shows an alternative embodiment of the closed, flexible cage 1 for fish farming according to figure 2A, where the container 2 in this embodiment is made of a number of wall and bottom panels 2a-2d or wall and bottom pieces 2a-2d which in appropriate ways are connected to form the container 2.
  • a plurality of wall panels 2a-2b will then form the wall of the container 2, while a number of bottom panels 2c-2d will form the bottom of the container 2.
  • the various wall and bottom panels 2a-2d will in appropriate ways be connected to each other to form the container 2.
  • the wall panels 2a-2b may be made of a different material than the bottom panels 2c-2d are made of, where the material may vary according to strength, flexibility, thickness etc.
  • the wall panels 2a-2b may also be made of different materials, where the different materials may vary with respect to strength, flexibility, thickness etc.
  • the bottom panels 2c-2d may be made of different materials, where the different materials can vary with respect to strength, flexibility, thickness etc.
  • the wall panels 2a which are arranged in an upper part of the wall of the container 2 may be made of a thicker and less flexible material than wall panels 2b arranged in a lower part of the wall of the container 2.
  • the upper part of the wall of the container 2 may be made stronger, this part of the wall is being subjected to greater forces and loads from, for example, waves and wind, than the lower part of the wall of the container 2 wall.
  • this could lead to a less deformation of the closed, flexible cage 1 for fish farming.
  • the upper part of the wall of the container 2 is to be understood as to be the part of the wall which is closest to the water surface S, while the lower part of the wall of the container 2 is to be understood to be the part of the wall which is closest to the bottom of the container 2.
  • the bottom panels 2d which are arranged in the lower part of the bottom of the container 2 may be made of a thicker and less flexible material than bottom panels 2c in the upper part of the bottom, as the lower part of the bottom is being subjected to greater loads than the upper part of the bottom, as bottom waste etc. will be collected in the lower part of the bottom.
  • the upper part of the bottom of the container 2 is to be understood to be the part of the bottom which is closest to the lower part of the wall of the container 2, while the lower part of the bottom is to be understood to be the part of the bottom which constitutes the lowest point of the container 2.
  • a floating collar 3 is further arranged around an inner circumference of the container 2, i.e. on an inside of the delimited water volume, where the floating collar 3 is arranged extending around the entire inner circumference of the container 2.
  • the floating collar 3 is further arranged partially submerged in a body of water.
  • Figure 3 shows in greater detail a section of a left corner of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1 according to figure 2A or 2B, where it is seen that the floating collar 3 is arranged partially submerged in the body of water.
  • a first element 4 is furthermore also arranged to extend around the inner circumference of the container 2, where the first element 4 in appropriate ways is connected to the floating collar 3.
  • the first element 4 may be an integral part of the floating collar 3.
  • the first element 4 will further be a support for the container 2, so that a
  • the first element 4 may also be used as a fixing for the container 2, whereby an upper part of the container 2 may then in appropriate ways be attached to the first element 4.
  • the floating collar 3 may be arranged to extend around the entire inner circumference of the container 2, while the first element 4 may comprise a plurality of "sub-elements" which are spaced apart each other.
  • the first element 4 may be arranged to extend around the entire inner circumference of the container 3, while the floating collar 3 may comprise a plurality of "sub-floating collars" which are arranged spaced apart each other.
  • the "sub-elements" of the first element 4 and/or the “sub-floating collars” of the floating collar 3 may be made in the same or different size and/or length, as the first element 4 and/or the floating collar 3 may be used as a foundation for equipment used in connection to the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1.
  • Such equipment may be components or elements required for working and/or operation of the fish farm throughout its lifetime and under all operating conditions of the fish farm, such as moorings, pumps, hoses, waste handling system etc.
  • the closed, flexible cage 1 for fish farming comprises also a second element 5 which may be arranged to extend around the inner circumference of the container 2.
  • the second element 5, which is a free-standing element, is in appropriate ways connected to the floating collar 3.
  • a person skilled in the art will however understand that the second element 5 may also be an integral part of the floating collar 3.
  • the second element 5 may, similarly to the first element 4, be used as a fixing for the container 2, so that a deformation of the container 2 in waves and wind to a greater extent is prevented.
  • the second element 5 may also in some embodiments of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1 be used as a fixing for the container 2, whereby an upper area of the container 2 then in appropriate ways can be attached to the second element 5.
  • the floating collar 3 may be arranged to extend around the entire inner circumference of the container 3, while the first member 4 and the second member 5 may comprise a plurality of "sub -elements" which are arranged spaced apart each other around the inner circumference of the container 2.
  • first element 4 and/or the second element 5 may be arranged to extend continuously around the entire inner circumference of the container 3, while the floating collar 3 may comprises a plurality of "sub-floating collars" which are arranged at a distance from each other.
  • the "sub-elements" of the first element 4, the second element 5 and/or the “sub floating collars” of the floating collar 3 may be made in the same or different size and/or length, as the first element 4, the second element 5 and/or the floating collar 3 could be used as a foundation for equipment used in connection with the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1.
  • equipment may be components or elements needed for working and/or operation of the fish farm throughout its lifetime and under all operating conditions of the fish farm, such as moorings, pumps, hoses, waste handling system etc.
  • the first member 4 may be a handrail to allow fish farmers to move around the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1.
  • the first member 4 may then appropriately be made from metal, aluminum or the like.
  • first element 4 and the second element 5 may be made of a plastic or composite material, foam material or the like, or a combination thereof, where the materials are selected to be able to support the container 2, be fixing to the container 2 and/or be a foundation for equipment.
  • the second element 5 is arranged to be immersed in the body of water.
  • Figure 4A shows a section of an alternative embodiment of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1 according to figure 2A or 2B, in which the container 2 can be designed as described in relation to figure 2 A or 2B.
  • Two floating collars 3 are further arranged around an inner circumference of the container 2, i.e. on an inside of the delimited water volume W of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1.
  • One of the floating collars 3 is arranged to lie within the other floating collar 3, and both floating collars 3 are further arranged partially submerged in the body of water.
  • the outer floating collar 3 has a circular shape, while the inner floating collar 3 has a polygonal shape.
  • the outer floating collar 3 will extend continuously around the inner circumference of the container 2, while the inner floating collar 3 comprises a plurality of "sub-floating collars" which are arranged spaced apart each other.
  • Figure 4B shows a section of an additional alternative embodiment of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1 according to figure 2 A or 2B, where the container 2 can be designed as described in relation to figure 2A or 2B.
  • Two floating collars 3 are further arranged around an inner circumference of the container 2, i.e. on an inside of the delimited water volume of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1.
  • the upper floating collar 3 is further arranged completely above the water surface S and will be able to provide additional buoyancy if required.
  • both the lower and upper floating collars 3 will extend continuously around the inner circumference of the container 2.
  • the floating collar or floating collars 3 in the illustrated embodiments may further be designed to be ballastable and deballastable, so as to be able to position the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1 higher or lower in the body of water, where the floating collar 3 or floating collars 3 then is/are connected to a system which allows ballasting/deballasting of the floating collar(s) 3.
  • the shown embodiments of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1 will, although not shown, also include necessary moorings and anchorage systems to hold the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1 in a desired position.
  • Figure 5 shows alternative geometric shapes that a floating collar 3 may have in the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1, where it is seen that the floating collar 3, in addition to have a rectangular shape, can also be made with other geometric shapes, such as a circular, a square , a triangular or polygonal shape.
  • the floating collars 3 may be designed to have the same or different geometric shape.
  • the floating collar 3 is arranged to extend discontinuously around the inner circumference of the container 2, i.e., that the floating collar comprises a plurality of "sub-floating collars", then the "sub floating collars" 3 may be of the same or different shape.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Marine Sciences & Fisheries (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Animal Husbandry (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Farming Of Fish And Shellfish (AREA)
  • Housing For Livestock And Birds (AREA)
  • Agricultural Machines (AREA)
  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a closed, flexible cage (1) for fish farming or other aquatic organisms, where the closed, flexible cage for fish farming comprises a container (2) which in a submerged state delimits a volume of water (W), wherein an upper portion of the container is connected to at least one floating collar (3), wherein the at least one floating collar further is arranged around an inner circumference of the container (2).

Description

CAGE FOR FISH FARMING
The present invention generally relates to a cage for fish farming or other aquatic organisms. More particularly, the present invention relates to a closed, flexible cage for fish farming or other aquatic organisms.
The growing demand for aquatic animals, such as fish, crustaceans and molluscs, as a source of food, as well as concerns about over-harvesting and potential pollution have led to growth and expansion of the aquaculture industry. However, the aquaculture industry faces several major challenges. In the case of salmonid fish farming, this will relate to the treatment of fish infected by parasites such as salmon lice, the escape of fish from floating cages for fish farming and the transmission of diseases such as viruses, bacteria and parasites to wild populations of salmonids, and discharges of waste products from the floating cages for fish farming. These challenges apply especially to fish farming in traditional, floating and open cages for fish farming. Such traditional, floating and open cages for fish farming consist of a net that forms the physical enclosure for the fish and which allows water to flow in and out of the cage for fish farming, as well as a
surrounding buoyancy structure that keeps the net afloat. In addition, such a traditional, floating and open cage for fish farming includes the necessary moorings and anchorage system to keep the cage for fish farming in place. A jumping net may further be arranged around the buoyancy structure to prevent the fish from escaping by jumping over the buoyancy structure. In several contexts, problems with salmon lice and access to land have been mentioned as the main reasons why the volume of farmed fish cannot be increased significantly.
Developing new solutions to solve these challenges will be required for increased growth in the time ahead. Furthermore, it is a prerequisite for growth to occur within defined sustainability criteria, including economic sustainability. Thus, the new solutions must also be cost-effective.
The major challenges of viruses, bacteria and parasites have also led to the development more recently of floating, closed cages for fish farming. Such a floating, closed cage for fish farming may, for example, consist of a tarpaulin or cloth designed to form a cage bag or container in the cage for fish farming. The tarpaulin or cloth is made of a dense or water impermeable material. Within the tight or sealed bag or container, a conventional net bag may furthermore be provided. Such floating, closed cages for fish farming can be large, often with a square shape with sizes of 50x50 meters or a circular shape with a diameter of 50m, and the depth can also be considerable and often more than 30 meters. For example, when such a tight or sealed cage bag or container is deployed in a body of water, the cage for fish farming can be affected by and subjected to great forces, and it is often felt that these forces become too large in relation to material choice and the construction of the cage for fish farming, whereby the cage bags may tear or rupture.
It is also known that a floating, closed cage for fish farming may be formed as a rigid or stiff structure, where the cage for fish farming may be formed as a composite, steel, or concrete structure.
NO 342245 B1 relates to a cage for fish farming or other aquatic organisms, where the cage for fish farming comprises a container arranged to delimit a volume of water in an immersed state, a float collar arranged in an upper part of the container, where the floating collar comprises a channel extending diagonally across the cage for fish farming.
NO 34191 1 B1 relates to a coupling for releasably attaching an enclosure in a cage for fish farming to a buoyancy body, the enclosure has a wall with an outside and an inside, the enclosure is attached to the buoyancy body which floats on a water surface, and the buoyancy body has an inside , an outside and an upper side, where a fastening eye is attached to the outside of the wall in a portion below the buoyant body, a strap connects the fastening eye to the buoyancy body, the strap is provided with a first portion and a second portion, and the strap is provided with a hook in at least one of the first portion and the second portion. The use of a circular loop as a strap in the coupling is also described.
WO 2018/194462 A1 relates to A pen system for farming aquatic organisms, the pen system comprising an outer surrounding rigid structure and an internal, closed enclosure; the outer surrounding rigid structure forming an upper portion and a lower portion, the pen system further including : - an internal surrounding connecting element, the closed enclosure being attached to the connecting element;
- a heave-compensation system comprising a plurality of fluid-filled cylinders, each fluid-filled cylinder being hingedly attached, in a first end portion, to the
connecting element, and being hingedly attached, in a second end portion, to the inside of the rigid structure.
CN 107926801 A relates to a net cage breeding device for aquaculture, where the device comprises a floating platform, a liquid level and a force division machine; the floating platform is floated on the liquid level, and the bottom of the floating platform is connected with the force division machine; the top of a main rope is connected with the force division machine, and the bottom of the main rope is connected with the bottom of silt through a fixing base; a protective fence is arranged on the top of the floating platform and is fixedly connected with the floating platform; a lower-layer breeding net is located below the floating platform, and a lower-layer supporting frame is arranged in the lower-layer breeding net.
WO 2018/048310 A1 relates to a floating installation which can, for example, be used for the farming of marine organisms, where the installation comprises a bag to establish a main water reservoir, where the walls are fastened to a floating collar with at least one inlet pipeline for supply of fresh water and with at least one outlet pipeline for discharge of water and waste from the net cage. The installation can also be used for storing of water, purification of water and for the treatment of water. Also described is a method for treatment of water that is supplied to a cage in a cage installation.
NO 343021 B1 relates to a dense or sealed bag for farmed cages equipped with elongated channels for receiving liquid for stiffening the bag, and a method for regulating the rigidity of a flexible cage bag.
The present invention aims to alleviate or reduce at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least to provide a useful alternative to the prior art.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a cage for fish farming which is easy to assemble, remove, replace and maintain.
These objects are achieved, in accordance with the present invention, with a closed, flexible cage for fish farming as set forth in the following description and as defined in the characterizing portion of the independent claim. Further embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.
The present invention relates to a closed, flexible cage for fish farming or other aquatic organisms, where the closed, flexible cage for fish farming comprises a container which delimits a volume of water in an immersed state and which forms the enclosure for fish, where an upper portion of the container is connected to at least one floating collar, where the at least one floating collar is arranged around an inner circumference of the container and connected to the container.
According to one embodiment, the container in the closed flexible cage for fish farming may be made of a cloth or tarpaulin made of a substantially impermeable material, whereby the container will form an effective barrier against toxic algae, algal toxins and/or crustacean parasites such as salmon lice. By arranging the floating collar around the inner circumference of the container, jerking forces in the cloth or tarpaulin may be eliminated, where these jerking forces are caused by hydrostatic and hydrodynamic forces from waves outside the closed, flexible cage for fish farming.
Jerking forces in the cloth or tarpaulin may also be caused by waves (also called sloshing) which are formed within the closed, flexible cage for fish farming, where the hydrostatic and hydrodynamic forces from these internal waves may also be dampened by arranging the floating collar around the inner circumference of the container.
As long as the water inside the container approximately is at rest, which will be the case for waves with periods of 1-2 seconds and up to 5-6 seconds and maybe more, the container will function almost like a rigid body.
The container in the closed, flexible cage for fish farming may be made from a single piece of a cloth or tarpaulin and which further is designed to form the enclosure for fish, but it is also conceivable that the container may be made from a number of wall and bottom panels which are appropriately connected to each other to form the enclosure for fish.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the wall and bottom panels may be made of the same material, but it is also conceivable that the wall and bottom panels may be made of different materials and/or combinations of materials, where the materials may vary with respect to strength flexibility, thickness etc.
In one embodiment, the closed, flexible cage for fish farming may be made from a plurality of wall panels assembled to form the wall of the container and a plurality of bottom panels assembled to form the bottom of the container. The wall panels may further be assembled such that an upper part of the wall of the container, i.e. the part of the wall of the container which is closest to a surface of water in the body of water, is formed of a thicker and less flexible material than a lower part of the wall of the container, as the upper part of the container is being subjected to greater forces or loads from waves and winds than the lower part of the container, both from the outside and inside the closed, flexible cage for fish farming.
Similarly, bottom panels in a lower part of the bottom of the container may be made of a thicker and less flexible material than an upper part of the bottom of the container, as the lower part of the bottom is being subjected to greater loads than the upper part of the bottom, as bottom waste etc. will gather in the lower part of the bottom. The wall and bottom panels may further be made of one or more layers of the same material or a combination of materials.
The floating collar arranged around the inner circumference of the container may be arranged to extend continuously around the entire inner circumference of the container. It is to be understood, however, that the floating collar may also be arranged to extend discontinuously around the inner circumference of the container, whereby the floating collar may, for example, be divided into a plurality of "sub floating collars" which are arranged spaced apart. The "sub-floating collars" may be made of the same or different length. For example, in one embodiment, the side of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming which is most exposed to waves and wind loads may be provided with a "sub-floating collar" which covers half the
circumference of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming, while the other half of the circumference of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming which is exposed to minor stresses from waves and winds may be equipped with a number of smaller "sub-floating collars" which are arranged spaced apart from each other.
It could also be envisaged that two floating collars are arranged around the inner circumference of the container, where the two floating collars may be arranged side by side or above each other, so as to provide necessary buoyancy and/or reserve buoyancy. One skilled in the art will understand that more than two floating collars may also be used.
In one embodiment where two floating collars are used, one floating collar may be arranged to extend continuously around the entire inner circumference of the container, while the other floating collar may comprise a plurality of "sub-floating collars" which are arranged spaced apart from each other.
The floating collar may be made of a suitable material which provides the desired buoyancy, or the floating collar may be made as a hose which can be filled with air.
In one embodiment, the floating collar may be arranged to be fully submerged or immersed in a body of water, but it should be understood that the floating collar may also be partially submerged in the body of water. If two floating collars arranged side by side are used, both floating collars may be fully or partially submerged in the body of water. If two floating collars arranged above one another are used, one floating collar may be fully or partially submerged in the body of water, while the upper floating collar may be disposed above the water surface of the body of water.
The floating collar or floating collars may also be ballastable and deballastable so as to be able to position the closed, flexible cage for fish farming higher or lower in the body of water, whereby the floating collar or floating collars will then be suitably connected to a system which allows ballasting or deballasting of the floating collar(s). One of ordinary skill in the art will know how to design a floating collar and system that allows ballasting or deballasting and this is not described further herein.
In one embodiment, the closed flexible cage for fish farming may further comprise a first element which also is arranged around the inner circumference of the container, whereby this first element may be used, for example, to support the container by appropriately connecting the container to the first element and/or the floating collar. This first element may, for example, be conceived to be a railing and/or a foundation for equipment for the closed, flexible cage for fish farming.
The first element may be arranged to extend continuously or discontinuously around entire or part of the inner circumference of the container. The first element may then be divided into a number of "sub-elements" which are arranged spaced apart from each other.
In one embodiment, the first element may be a separate, individual and independent element which may in appropriate ways be connected to the floating collar, but it should be understood that the first element may also be an integral part of the floating collar. One skilled in the art will understand how the first element and the floating collar can be integrated with each other, whereby this is not described further herein.
The first element may be disposed over a surface of the body of water, but in some embodiments of the present invention it is also conceivable that the first element may be arranged at least partially submerged in the body of water.
According to one embodiment, the closed, flexible cage for fish farming may also comprise a second element arranged around the inner circumference of the container. The second element may be used, for example, to support the container, to be a fixing for the container and/or floating collar, and/or to be a foundation for equipment for the closed, flexible cage for fish farming.
The second element may, corresponding to the first element, be arranged to extend continuously or discontinuously around the entire or part of the inner circumference of the container. The second element may then be divided into a number of "sub elements" which are arranged spaced apart from each other.
In one embodiment, the second element may be a separate, individual and independent element which may in appropriate ways be connected to the floating collar, but it should be understood that the second element may also be an integral part of the floating collar. One skilled in the art will understand how the second element and the floating collar can be integrated with each other, whereby this is not described further herein.
The second element may be arranged submerged in the body of water, but in some embodiments of the present invention it is also conceivable that the second element may be arranged at least partially above the surface of the body of water.
By the term equipment for the closed, flexible cage for fish farming it should be understood components or elements needed for working and/or operation of the fish farm, throughout the life of the fish farm and under all operating conditions, where this may, for example, be moorings for the cage for fish farming, pumps, hoses, waste handling system or the like.
The floating collar which is arranged around the inner circumference of the container may be designed to have a circular, a square, a triangular, or a polygonal shape. If more than one floating collar is used, the floating collars may have the same or different shape.
The closed flexible cage for fish farming may also include necessary moorings and anchorage system to hold the closed flexible cage for fish farming in place. One skilled in the art will know how to design moorings and anchor systems, whereby this is not described further herein.
The closed, flexible cage for fish farming may also comprise a water exchange system, wherein the water exchange system may comprise one or more pumps, one or more filters, etc.
The following are examples of preferred embodiments illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows schematically a side section of a closed, flexible cage for fish farming according to the prior art,
Fig. 2A shows schematically a side view of a closed, flexible cage for fish farming according to the present invention;
Figure 2B shows schematically a side view of an alternative embodiment of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming according to figure 2A,
Figure 3 shows in greater detail a section of the left corner of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming according to figure 2A or 2B,
Figure 4A shows a section of an alternative embodiment of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming according to figure 2A or 2B,
Figure 4B shows a section of another alternative embodiment of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming according to figure 2A or 2B, and
Figure 5 show embodiments of a floating collar used with a closed, flexible cage for fish farming according to the present invention.
Figure 1 shows a closed, flexible cage for fish farming O according to the prior art, where the closed, flexible cage for fish farming O comprises a bag P which is connected in suitable ways to a buoyancy element B and a railing R arranged around an outer circumference of the cage for fish farming O. The closed, flexible cage for fish farming O is connected to a seabed (not shown) through a suitable anchoring system (not shown), so as to hold the closed, flexible cage for fish farming O in place.
Figure 2A shows a schematic side view of a closed, flexible cage 1 for fish farming according to the present invention, where the closed flexible cage 1 for fish farming comprises a container 2 which delimits a water volume W, in an immersed or submerged state, below a water surface S and which further forms an enclosure for fish.
The container 2 is made of a cloth or tarpaulin which is substantially fluid impermeable, for example a strong and flexible composite material, which helps to minimize escape risk, and which will also form an effective barrier against toxic algae, algal toxins and/or crustacean parasites such as salmon lice.
As shown in figure 2A, the container 2 in the closed, flexible cage 1 for fish farming is made from a single piece of a cloth or tarpaulin.
A floating collar 3 is further arranged around an inner circumference of the container 2, i.e. on an inside of the defined water volume W, where the floating collar 3 is arranged extending around the entire inner circumference of the container 2. The floating collar 3 is further arranged partially submerged in a body of water.
Figure 2B shows an alternative embodiment of the closed, flexible cage 1 for fish farming according to figure 2A, where the container 2 in this embodiment is made of a number of wall and bottom panels 2a-2d or wall and bottom pieces 2a-2d which in appropriate ways are connected to form the container 2. A plurality of wall panels 2a-2b will then form the wall of the container 2, while a number of bottom panels 2c-2d will form the bottom of the container 2. The various wall and bottom panels 2a-2d will in appropriate ways be connected to each other to form the container 2.
In one embodiment, the wall panels 2a-2b may be made of a different material than the bottom panels 2c-2d are made of, where the material may vary according to strength, flexibility, thickness etc.
Furthermore, the wall panels 2a-2b may also be made of different materials, where the different materials may vary with respect to strength, flexibility, thickness etc. Similarly, the bottom panels 2c-2d may be made of different materials, where the different materials can vary with respect to strength, flexibility, thickness etc.
For example, the wall panels 2a which are arranged in an upper part of the wall of the container 2 may be made of a thicker and less flexible material than wall panels 2b arranged in a lower part of the wall of the container 2. In this way, the upper part of the wall of the container 2 may be made stronger, this part of the wall is being subjected to greater forces and loads from, for example, waves and wind, than the lower part of the wall of the container 2 wall. Together with the arrangement of the floating collar 3 within the container 2, this could lead to a less deformation of the closed, flexible cage 1 for fish farming. The upper part of the wall of the container 2 is to be understood as to be the part of the wall which is closest to the water surface S, while the lower part of the wall of the container 2 is to be understood to be the part of the wall which is closest to the bottom of the container 2. Similarly, the bottom panels 2d which are arranged in the lower part of the bottom of the container 2 may be made of a thicker and less flexible material than bottom panels 2c in the upper part of the bottom, as the lower part of the bottom is being subjected to greater loads than the upper part of the bottom, as bottom waste etc. will be collected in the lower part of the bottom.
The upper part of the bottom of the container 2 is to be understood to be the part of the bottom which is closest to the lower part of the wall of the container 2, while the lower part of the bottom is to be understood to be the part of the bottom which constitutes the lowest point of the container 2.
A floating collar 3 is further arranged around an inner circumference of the container 2, i.e. on an inside of the delimited water volume, where the floating collar 3 is arranged extending around the entire inner circumference of the container 2. The floating collar 3 is further arranged partially submerged in a body of water.
Figure 3 shows in greater detail a section of a left corner of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1 according to figure 2A or 2B, where it is seen that the floating collar 3 is arranged partially submerged in the body of water. A first element 4 is furthermore also arranged to extend around the inner circumference of the container 2, where the first element 4 in appropriate ways is connected to the floating collar 3. Alternatively, the first element 4 may be an integral part of the floating collar 3.
The first element 4 will further be a support for the container 2, so that a
deformation of the container in waves and wind to a greater extent is prevented. The first element 4 may also be used as a fixing for the container 2, whereby an upper part of the container 2 may then in appropriate ways be attached to the first element 4.
In one embodiment, the floating collar 3 may be arranged to extend around the entire inner circumference of the container 2, while the first element 4 may comprise a plurality of "sub-elements" which are spaced apart each other.
Alternatively, the first element 4 may be arranged to extend around the entire inner circumference of the container 3, while the floating collar 3 may comprise a plurality of "sub-floating collars" which are arranged spaced apart each other.
The "sub-elements" of the first element 4 and/or the "sub-floating collars" of the floating collar 3 may be made in the same or different size and/or length, as the first element 4 and/or the floating collar 3 may be used as a foundation for equipment used in connection to the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1. Such equipment may be components or elements required for working and/or operation of the fish farm throughout its lifetime and under all operating conditions of the fish farm, such as moorings, pumps, hoses, waste handling system etc.
The closed, flexible cage 1 for fish farming comprises also a second element 5 which may be arranged to extend around the inner circumference of the container 2. The second element 5, which is a free-standing element, is in appropriate ways connected to the floating collar 3. A person skilled in the art will however understand that the second element 5 may also be an integral part of the floating collar 3. The second element 5 may, similarly to the first element 4, be used as a fixing for the container 2, so that a deformation of the container 2 in waves and wind to a greater extent is prevented.
The second element 5 may also in some embodiments of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1 be used as a fixing for the container 2, whereby an upper area of the container 2 then in appropriate ways can be attached to the second element 5. In one embodiment, the floating collar 3 may be arranged to extend around the entire inner circumference of the container 3, while the first member 4 and the second member 5 may comprise a plurality of "sub -elements" which are arranged spaced apart each other around the inner circumference of the container 2.
Alternatively, the first element 4 and/or the second element 5 may be arranged to extend continuously around the entire inner circumference of the container 3, while the floating collar 3 may comprises a plurality of "sub-floating collars" which are arranged at a distance from each other.
The "sub-elements" of the first element 4, the second element 5 and/or the "sub floating collars" of the floating collar 3 may be made in the same or different size and/or length, as the first element 4, the second element 5 and/or the floating collar 3 could be used as a foundation for equipment used in connection with the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1. Such equipment may be components or elements needed for working and/or operation of the fish farm throughout its lifetime and under all operating conditions of the fish farm, such as moorings, pumps, hoses, waste handling system etc. In one embodiment, the first member 4 may be a handrail to allow fish farmers to move around the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1. The first member 4 may then appropriately be made from metal, aluminum or the like.
In another embodiment, the first element 4 and the second element 5 may be made of a plastic or composite material, foam material or the like, or a combination thereof, where the materials are selected to be able to support the container 2, be fixing to the container 2 and/or be a foundation for equipment.
The second element 5 is arranged to be immersed in the body of water.
Figure 4A shows a section of an alternative embodiment of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1 according to figure 2A or 2B, in which the container 2 can be designed as described in relation to figure 2 A or 2B. Two floating collars 3 are further arranged around an inner circumference of the container 2, i.e. on an inside of the delimited water volume W of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1.
One of the floating collars 3 is arranged to lie within the other floating collar 3, and both floating collars 3 are further arranged partially submerged in the body of water.
The outer floating collar 3 has a circular shape, while the inner floating collar 3 has a polygonal shape. In this embodiment, the outer floating collar 3 will extend continuously around the inner circumference of the container 2, while the inner floating collar 3 comprises a plurality of "sub-floating collars" which are arranged spaced apart each other.
Figure 4B shows a section of an additional alternative embodiment of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1 according to figure 2 A or 2B, where the container 2 can be designed as described in relation to figure 2A or 2B.
Two floating collars 3 are further arranged around an inner circumference of the container 2, i.e. on an inside of the delimited water volume of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1.
A lower floating collar 3, which is arranged partially submerged in the delimited water volume W, has a square shape, while an upper floating collar 3, which is arranged on the lower floating collar 3, has a triangular shape. The upper floating collar 3 is further arranged completely above the water surface S and will be able to provide additional buoyancy if required.
In this embodiment, both the lower and upper floating collars 3 will extend continuously around the inner circumference of the container 2.
The floating collar or floating collars 3 in the illustrated embodiments may further be designed to be ballastable and deballastable, so as to be able to position the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1 higher or lower in the body of water, where the floating collar 3 or floating collars 3 then is/are connected to a system which allows ballasting/deballasting of the floating collar(s) 3.
Furthermore, the shown embodiments of the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1 will, although not shown, also include necessary moorings and anchorage systems to hold the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1 in a desired position.
Figure 5 shows alternative geometric shapes that a floating collar 3 may have in the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1, where it is seen that the floating collar 3, in addition to have a rectangular shape, can also be made with other geometric shapes, such as a circular, a square , a triangular or polygonal shape.
For example, if two floating collars 3 are used in the closed, flexible cage for fish farming 1, the floating collars 3 may be designed to have the same or different geometric shape.
Furthermore, it should be understood that if the floating collar 3 is arranged to extend discontinuously around the inner circumference of the container 2, i.e., that the floating collar comprises a plurality of "sub-floating collars", then the "sub floating collars" 3 may be of the same or different shape.
The invention has now been explained with several non-limiting examples. One skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of variations and modifications may be made to the closed, flexible cage for fish farming as described within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A closed flexible cage (1) for fish farming or other aquatic organisms, where the closed flexible cage (1) comprises a container (2) which in a submerged state delimits a volume of water (W), where an upper part of the container (2) ) is attached to at least one floating collar (3), characterized in that the at least one floating collar (3) is arranged around an inner circumference of the container (2) and connected to the container (2).
2. A closed flexible cage (1) for fish farming according to claim 1,
characterized in that the container (2) is made of an impermeable material.
3. A closed flexible cage (1) for fish farming according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that the container (2) comprises one or more wall panels (2a, 2b) and one or more bottom panels (2c, 2d).
4. A closed flexible cage (1) for fish farming according to claim 1,
characterized in that the floating collar (3) is arranged to extend around an entire or part of the inner circumference of the container (2).
5. A closed flexible cage (1) for fish farming according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floating collar (3) is arranged to be fully or partially immersed in a body of water (W).
6. A closed flexible cage (1) for fish farming according to claim 1,
characterized in that the closed flexible cage (1) further comprises a first element (4) arranged around the inner circumference of the container (2).
7. A closed flexible cage (1) for fish farming according to claim 6,
characterized in that the first element (4) is arranged to extend around an entire or part of the inner circumference of the container (2).
8. A closed flexible cage (1) for fish farming according to one or more of the preceding claims 6-7, characterized in that the first element (4) is a single element or an integral part of the floating collar (3).
9. A closed flexible cage (1) for fish farming according to one or more of the preceding claims 6-8, characterized in that the first element (4) is arranged over a surface of a water surface (S).
10. A closed flexible cage (1) for fish farming according to claim 1,
characterized in that the closed flexible cage (1) further comprises a second element (5) arranged around the inner circumference of the container (2).
1 1. A closed flexible cage (1) for fish farming according to claim 10,
characterized in that the second element (5) is arranged to extend around an entire or part of the inner circumference of the container (2).
12. A closed flexible cage (1) for fish farming according to one or more of the preceding claims 10-1 1, characterized in that the second element (5) is a single element or an integral part of the floating collar (3).
13. A closed flexible cage (1) for fish farming according to one or more of the preceding claims 10-12, characterized in that the second element (5) is arranged under a water surface (S).
14. A closed flexible cage (1) for fish farming according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floating collar (3) has a circular, a square, a triangular or a polygonal shape.
15. A closed flexible cage (1) for fish farming according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closed flexible cage (1) further comprises a system for water exchange.
16. A closed flexible cage (1) for fish farming according to claim 15,
characterized in that the water exchange system comprises one or more pumps, one or more filters, etc.
PCT/EP2020/063539 2019-05-15 2020-05-14 Cage for fish farming WO2020229631A1 (en)

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GB2116473.6A GB2597630B (en) 2019-05-15 2020-05-14 Cage for fish farming
CA3140239A CA3140239A1 (en) 2019-05-15 2020-05-14 Cage for fish farming
DKPA202101182A DK202101182A1 (en) 2019-05-15 2021-12-10 Cage for fish farming

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NO20190612A NO345633B1 (en) 2019-05-15 2019-05-15 Closed, flexible farming cage with floating collar arranged around an inner circumference of the cage
NO20190612 2019-05-15

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GB202116473D0 (en) 2021-12-29
NO20190612A1 (en) 2020-11-16
CA3140239A1 (en) 2020-11-19
GB2597630B (en) 2023-03-15
DK202101182A1 (en) 2021-12-14
NO345633B1 (en) 2021-05-18

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