Republic of the Philippines

Central Luzon State University

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING

Laboratory Exercise 5
DESIGN OF PENS AND CAGES SYSTEM

Prepared by:

ELIGADO, JOEY PEPE R.

Student

Submitted to:

ENGR. ELMAN TORRES

Instructor

Date Submitted:

NOVEMBER 18, 2019

I. INTRODUCTION

Fish farming in river means culture of fish in enclosures like cages or pens which is
manageable and remain under control. Farming in pens is the most favorable solution in increasing
fish production without further conversion of wetlands and mangroves into aquaculture ponds.
Pens are high production systems, relatively simple and less expensive to construct but requires a
large amount of working capital due to high cost of commercial feeds in sites where feeding is
needed.
The development and adoption of inland water pen culture has been much less dramatic
than that of cage culture and at present pens are used for various aquaculture activities on a
commercial basis in many countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, China
and USA (Beveridge, 1984; Chua and Teng, 1977; Lam, 1982; Shang and Tisdell, 1997).
There is some confusion concerning the terms ‘cage culture’ and ‘pen culture’ in fish
farming. Both terms are often used interchangeably, particularly in North America, where ‘sea
pens’ and ‘sea cages’ describe the same method of culture (e.g. Novotny, 1975, Saxton et al, 1983),
or the general term ‘enclosure culture’ is used to describe what more precisely could be defined as
cage or pen culture (e.g. Milne, 1979). Both cage and pen culture are types of enclosure culture,
and involve holding organisms captive within an enclosed space whilst maintaining a free
exchange of water. The two methods, however, are distinct from one another. A cage is totally
enclosed on all, or all but the top, sides by mesh or netting, whereas in pen culture the bottom of
the enclosure is formed by the lake or sea bottom.
As fish culture industries expand, output from hatcheries must keep pace with the demand
from producers. In the Philippines, a tremendous increase in interest in the cage culture of tilapias
over the past five years has resulted in a greatly increased demand for fingerlings (Guerrero, 1982).
Although hatchery production is keeping pace, concern is growing about the huge volume of
fingerlings being produced from backyard hatcheries (Pullin, in press.) Farmers buying slow-
growing fry put their businesses at risk, and BFAR are currently trying to minimise the risk of this
happening by supplying commercial hatcheries with good-quality broodstock from their hatchery
at CLSU, Nueva Ecija (Broussard et al, 1983).
II. OBJECTIVES

After performing the exercise, the student should be able to:

1. to identify the difference between fish pens and fish cages,
2. to determine the factors to be consider in designing fish pens and cages,
3. to identify and describe the basic components of fish pens and fish cages

III. PROCEDURES

1. The difference between fish pens and fish cages is explained by the students.
2. The factors in designing fish pens are explained by the students.
3. The factors in designing fish cages are explained by the students.
4. The parts and functions of fish pens and fish cages are given by the students. They
provided a diagram.

IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The Difference between Fish Pens and Fish Cages

Fish pen is a fish enclosure made of closely-woven bamboo screens, nylon screens or nets
or other materials attached to poles staked at the bottom up to the surface of the lake, river or other
shallow bodies of water for the purpose of growing and/or culturing of fish to various sizes in
fresh, brackish and marine waters. A fish pen varies in shapes. Its enclosure covers the entire water
depth from the water surface down to the bottom.

Fish cage on the other hand is a stationary or floating fish enclosure made of synthetic net
wire/bamboo screen or other materials set in the form of inverted mosquito net (hapa type) with or
without cover with all sides either tied to poles staked to the bottom of the water or with anchored
floats for aquaculture purposes.
Factors in Designing Fish Pens

There are two separate aspects to be considered, one is the requirement of the species
(biological) and the other is the structural requirements of the pen (physical). Both these in turn
are linked with the process of site selection. We have already referred to the inter-tidal and sub-
littoral coastal areas (marine and brackishwater) and also the shallow freshwater bodies as suitable
sites for pen culture.

 Biological factors:

The enclosure conditions should be suitable to the species to be cultured. Success of the
culture system would depend on the understanding the optimal requirements of the species. Now
even the fast swimming yellow tail and the highly demanding Atlantic salmon are being cultured
in pens.

For better survival and growth rate of the species under culture optimal conditions of the
following factors should be known.

1. Temperature
2. Salinity (brackish waters)
3. Oxygen
4. Other water conditions (e.g. pollution)
5. Feeding rate and pattern
6. Crowding (stocking density)
7. Predator control
8. Fouling by algae and mussels

The temperature, oxygen requirement, water quality (pollution) feeding and crowding are
closely related. The optimal stocking of fish in an enclosure is dependant on the availability of
oxygen, the rate of oxygen demand of feed remains and excreta (increase of B.O.D). Oxygen
content is also as well recognized related to temperature and salinity. The abundance of other
organisms (plankton, benthos) within the pen also would deplete oxygen. Since temperatures and
O2 demand of fish are high in summer the oxygen lack problem will be acute then.
 Thus in the enclosed area better water quality can only be maintained if there is a current
of water - “a strong current of about two knots, however, requires a strong cage or enclosure
structure to hold the net in place” (Moller, 1979). Recourse to artificial pumping of water to have
a good circulation in the enclosure is also suggested.

Pollution (increased B.O.D. from feed loss and excreta) of the farm (enclosure) area would
depend on the species of fish, their size, feeding ration etc. Moller (1979) states that the magnitude
of pollution from a fish farm may be as much as 60% of the total feed given. To cite Moller, “more
than half of this value represents feed loss. Faeces and food particles sink to the bottom. If the
water flow is low and enclosure bottom bounded by reefs or other thresholds of the main basin,
the wastes will accumulate and may contaminate the farm. Small fjords (or bays or coves for the
matter) are not good localities for intensive fish farms above a certain size”.

Fouling is a biological problem. Since the waters around the enclosure are rich in nutrients
algae and mussels also grow well attached to the framework and nets of the enclosure. To quote
again Moller, “fouling makes the net heavier, increases the drag in current and prevents the
exchange of water in the pen”. The excess nutrient problem (which causes fouling) would be less
if there is a good circulation of water through the enclosure, but the nutrients can also be utilized
economically through polyculture. Moller suggests introduction of European oyster (Ostrea edulis)
in Norwegian fish farms for the purpose, but low temperature prevents development of sexually
mature individuals. This may not be a serious problem in the tropics. Fouling can be reduced by
cleaning the nets in chemicals. The shipworms (Teredo) also cause difficulties by boring into
untreated wood in enclosure structures.

Predation causes heavy mortality in pens, even upto half the total loss of fish (Moller and
Bjerk, 1975). Birds (herons, gulls and cormorants), Mammal (seals, otters) and larger fish are the
major predators. Moller (1979) states with understanding, “predatory animals often demonstrate
unbelievable cunning in reaching the penned fish, and they acquaint themselves with the protective
devices which have been installed”. To protect the pens, the enclosures have to be completely
sealed by nets and wires - safety nets are to be used against predatory fish and seals and birds are
to be scared away by shot guns.
  Physical (structural) Factors

Those as we pointed out refer to the structural requirements of the enclosure, but it is hard
to distinguish between the interactions of physical and biological factors involved. As given above
some physical problems have already been discussed. The structural details of the enclosure will
be discussed separately. Rightly the physical requirements will be dealt with under “Site
exposure”, but we shall discuss below general characteristics of ‘site selection’ first and then take
up ‘site exposure’, as dealt by Milne (1979a). Since the general characteristics of the site are
discussed under “cage culture” we shall refer here only to certain salient points pertaining to pen
culture.

Factors in Designing Fish Cages

 Site Selection

Different criteria must be addressed before site selection for cage culture.The physico-
chemical parameters like temperature, salinity, oxygen, waveaction, pollution, algal blooms, water
exchange, etc. that determine whether a species can thrive in an environment. Other criteria which
must be considered for site selection are weather conditions, shelter, depth, substrate, etc. Finally
legal aspects, access, proximity to hatcheries or fishing harbor, security, economic, social and
market considerations etc. are to be taken care.

 Cage Size

It is a fact that costs per unit volume decrease with increasing cage size, within the limits
of the materials and construction methods used. CMFRI has developed open sea cages of 6 m dia
and 15 m dia for grow out fish culture and 2 m dia HDPE cages for seed rearing. Ideal size for
grow out cage is 6 m due to its easy maneuvering and reduced labour. For fingerling, 2m cages
can be used.
  Cage frames and nets

Different cage materials can be used for cage farmes. Materials commonly used are High
Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE), Galvanised iron (GI) pipes, PVC pipes, etc. HDPE frames are
expensive, but long lasting. Cost effective epoxy coated Galvanized Iron (GI) frames are
recommended for Small groups and fishermen. GI frames have less life span when compared to
HDPE frames.

Nets of varying dimensions and materials were tested for cage culture in India. CMFRI has
used braided and twisted HDPE nets for grow out purpose. It can last for two or more seasons.
Nylon net can be used economically, but since it is light weight, to hold the shape intact more
weight has to be loaded in the ballast pipe. Cost factor has to be taken care while using new netting
materials like sapphire or dyneema materials for net cage. The depth of net ranging from 2 to 5 m
is ideal. For open sea cage culture, predator net to prevent attack by predatory organisms is
essential.

 Cage management

Cage culture management must result in optimizing production at minimum cost. The
management should be so efficient that the cultured fish should grow at the expected rate with
respect to feeding rate and stocking density, minimize loss due to disease and predators, monitor
environmental parameters and maintain efficiency of the technical facilities. Physical maintenance
of cage structures is also of vital importance. The net-cages must be routinely inspected. Necessary
repairs and adjustments to anchor ropes and net-cages should be carried out without any delay.
Monthly exchange of net should also be considered, as this ensures a good water exchange in the
net, thereby washing away faeces, uneaten food and to a certain extent reduce the impact of
fouling.

 Fouling of cage net

Fouling of cage nets and other structures has been observed at many instances of cage
farming. Nets get covered with biofoulers. Fouling by molluscs, especially edible oyster and sand
barnacles have to be checked before its growth advancement. Algal mats and other periphyton can
be removed by introduction of omnivorous grazers in cages. A fouled net will be heavier, thereby
increasing drag thus resulting loss of nets and fish.

To avoid/ reduce fouling, net should be changed when required, which may vary from 2 to
4 weeks depending on the intensity of fouling. During oyster fouling, net exchange has to be done
immediately after the seasonal spat fall. Herbivorous fish such as rabbit fish ( Siganus spp.), pearl
spot ( Etroplus suratensis) and scat ( Scatophagus sp.) can be used to control biofoulers, but their
application on a large scale needs to be assessed.
The Parts and Functions of Fish Pens and Fish Cages

Both fish pens and fish cages are built around the same basic design concept: a net
enclosure supported by a rigid framework. They differ, however, in a number of respects. Firstly,
a pen does not have a net bottom; the edges of its net wallings/fencings are anchored to the lake
bottom/substrate by means of bamboo pegs and the lake bottom is the pen bottom (Fig. 14). In
comparison, a cage is like an inverted mosquito net with the cage bottom made of the same netting
material used for its four sides (Fig. 15).

Secondly, fish pens theoretically have no limit to their size/area while cages cannot exceed
1 000 m2 in area for reasons of the quantity of material required for cage construction (due to the
need for a flooring) and manageability of operation (cages have to be lifted and the fish scooped
out and not harvested using nets as in pens).

Thirdly, design of the structures and methods of construction are different. Fish pens are
fixed structures; fish cages may either be fixed or floating. Fish pens for milkfish culture in Laguna
de Bay, Philippines consist of a nursery pen within the grow-out pen/enclosure (Fig. 16). Cages
are individual units for either seed production or grow-out; they are, however, usually installed in
clusters or modules with a common framework (Fig. 17).

Pens and cages come in various shapes and sizes and are made of different types of
materials. Most pens and cages are rectangular or square although some may be circular, as in
some milkfish pens in Laguna de Bay and the milkfish broodstock cages at the SEAFDEC
Aquaculture Department in the Philippines (Fig. 18), or cylindrical as those used for fish collection
in Malaysian or Indonesian fresh waters (Fig. 19). Rectangular cages are preferred for easy
operation and management. Circular cages are more suitable for some species like milkfish and
yellowtail but are more expensive to build (SEAFDEC/IDRC, 1979).
V. CONCLUSION

Cages are usually floated in rafts, and either anchored to the lake/reservoir/river bottom, or
alternatively connected to shore by a wooden walkway. Pens are still constructed in much the same
way as they always were, except that nylon or polyethylene mesh nets have replaced the traditional
split bamboo fences. The nets are attached to posts set every few meters, and the bottom of the net
is pinned to the substrate with long wooden pegs.

Various shapes of fish pen exist and those found to be technically feasible are the square,
rectangular, and circular. The two latter shapes along with proper wind orientation during
construction deflect added load caused by drifting water hyacinths and other flotsams and
increased height of waves during stormy weather. The design of a fish cage for use in an area
depends to a large extent upon the depth of water in the body of water. Generally, floating cage
and fixed cage (touching the bottom) designs are used in deep and shallow lakes and reservoirs,
respectively. A cage may have a separate rigid frame with the netting materials sewn or attached
to the skeletal frame.

VI. REFERENCES
AQUACULTURE METHODS AND PRACTICES: A SELECTED REVIEW. Retrieved from
http://www.fao.org/3/t8598e/t8598e05.htm#4.5%20pen%20and%20cage%20culture

Anon. (1979). Fishpen and cage farming in the Philippines. In Proceedings of the International
Workshop on Pen Cage Culture of Fish, 11-22 February 1979, Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines
(pp. 99-103). Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines: Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian
Fisheries Development Center.

Beveridge, Malcolm & FIR,. (1985). Cage and Pen Fish Farming: Carrying Capacity Models and
Environmental Impact. XF2006252277. 255.