Patent ID: 8683955
Filing Date: 2014-04-01
Classification: A01K,Y02A

Abstract:
1. A fish pen for aquaculture comprising: an elongate center spar buoy having an upper spar portion and a lower spar portion; a reserve buoyancy buoy attached to a top end of the center spar buoy; a lower connection plate attached to the lower spar portion; an upper connection plate adjustably attached to the upper spar portion; a lower rim having a plurality of flange members; an upper rim having a plurality of flange members; a plurality of first tension members having a first end attached to the lower connection plate and a second end attached to a corresponding one of the lower rim flange members; a plurality of second tension members having a first end attached to one of the plurality of lower rim flange members and a second end attached to a corresponding one of the upper rim flange members; a plurality of third tension members having a first end attached to one of the upper rim flange members and a second end attached to the upper connection plate; a netting assembly defining an enclosed volume and comprising (i) a floor portion attached to the lower rim and the center spar buoy, (ii) a wall portion extending up from the floor portion, and (iii) an upper portion extending inwardly from the wall portion and attached to the upper rim and the center spar buoy; a first interior panel having a lower edge adjacent the floor portion, an inner edge engaging the center spar buoy, and an outer edge adjacent the netting assembly wall portion; and a second interior panel having a lower edge adjacent the floor portion, an inner edge engaging the center spar buoy, and an outer edge adjacent the netting assembly wall portion; wherein the first and second interior panels are configured to define a smaller operable volume within the netting assembly.