Offshore Semi-autonomous Fish Feeding System

As fish farmers attempt to increase capacity they are being forced to move to more Exposed growing sites. The technology for rearing fish in this high-energy environment is dependent on robust fish pens and infrastructure to support them. One very important technology that must be developed is an automated feeding system capable of operating in this difficult environment. Based on the results of Phase1, Net Systems and co investigator the University of New Hampshire intend to demonstrate a fully functional semi-autonomous offshore feeder. This feeder will have the sea keeping characteristics necessary to survive the worst weather anticipated at the UNH Open Ocean Aquaculture (OOA) site. It will integrate an appropriate mooring system to be compatible with the existing offshore pens. The feeder will be automated and remotely controllable with capabilities to feed an entire farm of submerged fish pens. This major advancement should allow the offshore fish farming industry to move to the next level here in the US and around the world. Proving the feasibility of such a system would allow Net Systems to offer farm packages that would include the major components of a fully functional offshore fish farm.