Offshore fish farming trials new cage with Dyneema®

Dyneema® fiber meets challenges of aquaculture in highly exposed sites

DSM Dyneema today announced a three-year partnership with Open Ocean Systems Inc. (OOSI) for joint development of innovative technologies for offshore fish farming. Open Ocean Systems, a new venture, is developing a total system that will leverage the trend towards moving aquaculture operations further offshore. OOSI, based in New Brunswick, Canada, chose to work with DSM Dyneema because its ultra-strong, lightweight Dyneema® fiber offers great potential for designing new cages that can meet the challenges of the open ocean environment, such as stronger currents and higher waves.

The current in-shore locations available for aquaculture are not sufficient to accommodate expected volumes, as projected by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). That means there is strong interest in expanding into more exposed areas. In 2007, the two companies will conduct worldwide tests of OOSI’s new cage design featuring netting made with Dyneema® fiber. Commercialization is expected in 2008.

Andrew Storey, president of Open Ocean Systems, said, “We are very pleased to have the collaboration of DSM Dyneema in this project, which we believe will make offshore fish farming not just practical but also profitable. Dyneema® fiber will play a critical role in our total aquaculture solution. This innovative material offers buoyancy, exceptional strength and proven resistance to damage from biting and wear that will be essential to the success of our patent pending cage system.”

The superior strength of Dyneema® allows thinner twines to be used, providing less resistance to currents and waves so the cages retain their shape. These twines form larger openings in the netting so more water can flow through, improving cleanliness and oxygenation for healthier fish. Because Dyneema® is lightweight and does not absorb water, netting is easier to lift out of the water for repairs, especially in heavy seas or bad weather. The exceptional toughness of netting made with Dyneema® can significantly reduce escapes and losses from fish or predators biting through nets. Dyneema® has already demonstrated top performance in demanding aquaculture applications such as farming biting fish like cod, sea bream and sea bass.

“The challenges of exposed site offshore aquaculture represent a great opportunity for our tough Dyneema® fiber,” said André van Wageningen, market segment manager commercial fishing for DSM Dyneema. “We see OOSI’s farming system as a solution that will help the open ocean aquaculture sector meet future world demand for farmed fish. We are pleased that our innovative materials technology and knowledge is playing a key role in turning this market potential into a reality.”