September 16, 2008

An Israeli non-profit corporation have introduced a new offshore aquaculture cage system that is designed to move with the waves.

According to Israel 21C, the Subflex system is a submersible, flexible series of large cages using ropes made out of space-age materials and a single-point mooring vessel.

Israel 21C is a non-profit corporation organized under the laws of California that works with existing institutions and the media to inform Americans about 21st century Israel.

Unlike moored competing systems made of more rigid materials, the Subflex system is allowed to roam from its mooring point in any direction necessary, reducing stress on the cages and enabling natural diffusion of fish waste into the open sea. And, because of its modular nature, new cages can easily be added to a Subflex system to expand capacity when necessary.

When bad weather arrives, the crew can submerge the whole setup as far as up to 200 metres, keeping the fish out of reach of the heavy waves and winds. It is proven to be stable in surf of up to 4 meters but if necessary, the option exists to drop the cages, and raise them back up after the storm passes.

Israel 21C said that they have set up projects in Israel and overseas, the largest one being for an Israeli company called Royal Fish, which raises sea bream near Ashdod. By the end of this year they would have sold 2,000 tonnes of fish, in only their second year of working with the system.