Enhancement of Design Criteria for Fish Farm Facilities Including Operations

Abstract

A Norwegian Standard NS 9415 (NAS, 2003) has been introduced to the offshore fish farming industry in Norway. This is the first standard dealing with offshore fish farm facilities. The main objective of the standard is to reduce environmental pollution by fish escape. The work process leading to NS 9415 revealed the need for research work in several areas to enhance design criteria with the objective of having a consistent safety level through out the life cycle of a fish farm facility. This paper presents results from a government supported research project with the objective of enhancing criteria for design and operation of fish farm facilities. A case study of a fish farm facility representative for the majority of polyethylene based fish farms in Norway is presented and the sensitivity of such fish farms to variation in the mooring system is shown and discussed for design relevance. The sensitivity of net cage volume to current and weights is presented and discussed. Possible hazards from operational conditions are listed.