Boston, US-headquartered aquaculture tech company Innovasea has launched a new rugged but lightweight submersible fish pen designed to alleviate fish stress through a smooth buoyancy control system.
The SeaProtean Pen is made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and can be raised and lowered by a single worker by simply opening a valve. This enables operators to easily avoid rough seas or significant storms that would batter traditional surface pens, protecting not only the farm’s infrastructure but also its fish stocks.
Unlike other submersible HDPE pens, the smooth movement provided by the three-chambered buoyancy system prevents fish stocks from experiencing dangerous barotrauma. It also gives farm personnel the precision necessary to find the perfect depth and water temperature for the species being grown.
“The SeaProtean Pen is a versatile addition to our lineup of tough, submersible offshore fish pens,” Innovasea CEO David Kelly said. “By delivering improved functionality and premium capabilities at a lower price point, SeaProtean will bring open ocean aquaculture to new regions and accelerate the journey from planning and permitting to production and profit.”
According to Innovasea, SeaProtean’s HDPE components make it more affordable than other submersible pens, while the ability to “effortlessly raise and lower” SeaProtean makes it ideal for locations where aesthetics or stakeholder opposition are a concern.
The pen can also incorporate Innovasea’s underwater feeding solution, which allows operators to feed fish stocks while the pen is submerged, reducing missed feed days, boosting growth rates and improving feed conversion ratios.
It can also be equipped with Innovasea’s optional mortality trap, which lowers operational costs by reducing the need for divers.
