Patent ID: 6216635
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: A01K,Y02A

Abstract:
A lifting system for reducing the volume of an aquaculture pen disposable in a body of water, the pen comprising a frame for suspending a net, the net having a side wall and a bottom submerged wall, the volume of the pen being defined by an inside surface of the net and the surface of the body of water and being at a maximum when the net is freely suspended by the frame, the lifting system including:a lifting agency for providing a lifting force; anda coupling member for supporting or connecting to the bottom wall of the net and coupling to the lifting agency, said coupling member being shaped or configured to lift a central portion of the bottom wall to form a channel or race in the pen between the frame and the coupling member when the coupling member is lifted; whereby, in use, the lifting agency can apply lifting force to the coupling member to raise the coupling member together with the bottom wall thereby reducing the volume of the pen from the maximum volume.