1. Cage farming
By Trond Fjeseth
TF Aquaconsult AS
Introduction
As fishing efforts has reached its maximum and most likely will decline in the future,
aquaculture production becomes more and more important. Multiple creatures and a great
diversity of technology are employed in the production of aquatic food. Many of the activities
have a huge negative influence on the landscape and flora and fauna, often the changes are
irreversible, or at least it takes a very long time to restore a new balance.
Unlike most other aquaculture activities cage farming has almost no long-term impact on the
environment. If the installations are removed there will hardly be any evidence of the activity
left. The flexibility of such systems also allows moving of the equipment and its biological
material if needed due to diseases, red tides, heavy storms etc. They can also be used for
seasonal productions at locations where conditions in parts of the year are unsuitable for
farming activity.
Launching a 50m circumference plastic cage at Isla Ometepe, Nicaragua. Planned, installed
and operated by Trond Fjeseth.
Cages can be installed offshore or in sheltered sea locations, in estuaries, lagoons, rivers,
lakes and reservoirs. It is easy to adjust the technological level to local conditions, thus
requiring small investments in surrounding infrastructure if desired.

2. Cage farming
By Trond Fjeseth
Cage systems, capacity and limits
Compared to most other systems, investments per kilo produced fish are low in cages, and it
is easy and economically wise expanding the farm gradually.
Depending on the local conditions, cages can be installed at water depths ranging from a few
meters to several hundred
Price per cubic meter tend to be higher for smaller cage volumes, but these cages can often be
built of less expensive materials and thereby still be economical.
Environmental parameters such as oxygen, water exchange and bottom conditions together
with several others are important to study thoroughly before decisions of fish densities and
total production capacity is taken.
Plan for 60m and 40m circular cages in a mooring frame, Hainan Province, China.
Drawing; Trond Fjeseth
Feeding cobia at an offshore farm in XinYing, Lingao County, China. Planned, installed and
operated by Trond Fjeseth.

3. Cage farming
By Trond Fjeseth
How to get started?
Many countries and regions of the world have possibilities for cage farming; often the
problem is identifying the potential. Institutions and private investors find it difficult to
defend spending a lot of money for a pre-feasibility study just to get to know if there is any
potential at all.
We can help you determine your future potential for this industry for a fraction of what huge
public or private investigation institutions charge.
We are working totally independent, with no commercial connections to fish feed producers
or equipment manufactures, and have therefore no hidden interest in initiating or restraining
any project.
Of course if desired, we can assists in setting up projects, negotiating equipment, feed etc. and
supervise the production. This will in any case be another contract and has to be negotiated
especially.
Trond Fjeseth with local fishermen in southern China

4. Cage farming
By Trond Fjeseth
Revising and Rebuilding
If you already are involved in cage farming, it could be useful to have the operations revised
by an independent specialist. New eyes often see new possibilities, and view the operations
from a different angle.
We do revisions of existing operations and produce a report with suggestions about
improvements in technology and working routines. Typical important matters that often can
be improved are:
 Environment (ensuring better water exchange, improving oxygen levels and reducing
pollution.)
 Improving the feed conversion rate (changing the feeding routines, applying new
technology)
 Reducing mortality (better procedures for fish handling, implementing sanitary plans
and daily monitoring)
Øverumans Fisk AB at Ankarsund in Sweden after a total rebuilding. All cages were moved
out and reinstalled while the production was continuing. The farm held more than 1000 tons
of rainbow trout and arctic char; it had problems with low oxygen levels and build up of
waste on the seabed. All of which was greatly improved after the reconstruction. The work
took 1 month, including planning and preparations.

5. Interested?
If you find our short introduction interesting, please feel free to contact us, we will be
delighted to help you.
We can guarantee you a complete report including all needed parts of the cage farming,
positive and negative findings, bottlenecks, special futures for your case and
recommendations for further steps in order to utilise your own resources.
The cost of such a pre-feasibility study varies depending on the nature of the project; normally
we use a daily rate, and charge for the travel from Norway to the destination. The contractor is
responsible for the local expenses such as; accommodation, food, transportation, renting of
needed equipment and personal, all done in co-operation and understanding with us.
Trond Fjeseth at the Nicanor SA farm, Central America
We look forward hearing from you soon.
Yours Sincerely
Trond Fjeseth
Managing director
TF Aquaconsult AS
Postal Address
Utvorda
N-7777 Nord-Statland
Email: trondfjeseth@gmail.no
Cellular: +47 950 69760