Technology Needs for Improved Operational Efficiency of Open Ocean Cage Culture

Abstract

AbstractAdvances in engineering design and construction of mooring and containment systems capable of withstanding forces of waves and currents in open ocean environments over the past two decades have brought open sea fish farming much closer to realization. Despite the progress in development of mooring and cage technologies, expansion of farming in offshore waters has been measured, primarily due to the inherent difficulties of operating in an environment that is frequently inaccessible by vessels and farm personnel due to hostile weather conditions. In order for open ocean farming to achieve large-scale production, engineered systems that are capable of autonomous operation for periods ranging from days to weeks are needed. Some advances in the development of supporting technologies have been made; however, until we see off-the-shelf technologies for remote operation of routine tasks such as feeding, maintenance, and observation of stock and environmental conditions, development will likely be limited in scope and spatial scale.