Senior High School

Aquaculture NC II
12
Quarter 1 - Module 7:

Install or set-up frames for pens and

cages

1
 For the learner:
Welcome to the Aquaculture NC II. This module was designed to provide you
with fun and meaningful opportunities for guided and independent learning at your
own pace and time. You will be enabled to process the contents of the learning
resource while being an active learner. This module has the following parts.

What I Need to Know

This will give you an idea of the skills or competencies you are expected to learn in the
module.

What I Know
This part includes an activity that aims to check what you already know about the
lesson to take. If you get all the answers correct (100%), you may decide to skip this
module.

What’s In
This is a brief drill or review to help you link the current lesson with the previous one.

Whats New
In this portion, the new lesson will be introduced to you in various ways such as a story,
a song, a poem, a problem opener, an activity or a situation.

What is it
This section provides a brief discussion of the lesson. This aims to help you discover
and understand new concepts and skills.

What’s More
This comprises activities for independent practice to solidify your understanding and
skills of the topic. You may check the answers to the exercises using the Answer Key at the
end of the module.

What I have Learned

This includes questions or blank sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process what you
learned from the lesson.

What I Can Do 2
 This section provides an activity which will help you transfer your new knowledge or skill
into real life situations or concerns.

Assessment
This is a task which aims to evaluate your level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.

Additional Activities
In this portion, another activity will be given to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of
the lesson learned.

Answer Key
This contains answers to all activities in the module. At the end of this module you will
also find:

References
This is a list of all sources used in developing this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the
module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.

If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to
consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are not alone.
We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and gain
deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

What I need to know

This lesson will give you insights and knowledge in pond preparation specifically in
installing or setting-up of frames for pens and cages for grow out production.

Learning Objectives:

After reading this INFORMATION Sheet, YOU MUST be able to:

3
 1. Understand the basic knowledge in installing frames for pens and cages.
2. Apply knowledge and skills in installing and/or setting up of frames for pens and
cages.
3. Explain the importance of installing or setting-up of frames for pens and cages.

What I know

Before you go through the lesson, try to answer this pre-test. This will enable
you to find out what you already know and what you still need to know about
“installing or setting-up frames for pens and cages”.

Self-Assessment:
Multiple Choice: Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. How to prevent damage to the net enclosure when constructing the framework of a fish
pen?
A. Bamboo poles should be cleaned to remove sharp edges
B. Diaphragm of bamboos should not be removed
C. Place guide poles at the corners of the proposed site
D. None of the above

2. Which of the following materials is needed in constructing frameworks?

A. Steel pipes B. Rubber tire strips C. Nylon cords D. Nylon nets

3. Bamboo poles and/or anahaw logs should be cleaned to remove sharp edges to prevent
________.
A. Cord damage B. Net damage C. A and B D. none of the above

4. When bamboo poles are used as a post for fish pen, diaphragm are removed to reduce
its _______?
A. Buoyancy B. Length C. Life span D. Strength

5. Which of the following materials is needed when tying fish pen?

A. Nylon threads B, Steel pipes C. Nylon nets D. Wooden poles

What’s in?
4
 Basic procedures involved in the management of pen and cage culture are very much
like those in pond culture, starting with completion of construction and preparation of the
culture facilities for stocking, rearing, and harvesting. Slight variations in specific activities
exist, however, as the result of the very nature of the system.

What’s new?

Pen and cage culture involve the rearing of fish within fixed or floating net enclosures
supported by frameworks made of bamboo, wood, or metal, and set in sheltered, shallow
portion of lakes, bays, rivers and estuaries. Cages may be installed in bays, lagoons,
straits, and open coasts as long as they are protected from strong monsoonal winds and
rough seas. Floating cages can also be set-up in deep lakes and reservoirs, and in rivers
and canal systems, and even in deep mining pools which could not be used otherwise for
culture due to harvesting difficulties.

Design and construction

Both fish pens and fish cages are built around the same basic design concept: a net
enclosure supported by rigid framework. They differ, however, in the following:
1. A pen does not have a bottom net; the edges of its net walling/fencings are anchored
to the lake bottom/substrate by means of bamboo pegs and the lake bottom is the pen
bottom.
2. Fish pens theoretically have no limit to their size/area while cages cannot exceed
1000m2. in area for reasons of the quantity of material required for cage construction and
manageability of operation.
3. Design of the structures and methods of construction are different. Fish pens are
fixed structures; fish cages may either be fixed or floating.

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.
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.

Materials for cage preparation

Cage Frames

5
 Galvanized iron (GI) or wooden parts are used for the cage form in the Philippines,
Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. The cage is kept afloat by styrofoam, plastic drums,
carbouy or bamboo. In the Philippines, wooden parts are used as frames. Plastic drums or
bamboo are also used for supporting the cage frames. Stakes are driven into the ground
and the cages are tied to the ropes or cables.

High density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes are widely used as the main material for the
construction of floating cages. High-density polyethylene is a class of plastic resins
obtained by polymerizing ethylene gas. Pipes made of HDPE are widely available because
they are commonly used for liquid and gas transfer (irrigation systems, gas pipelines, etc.).
Moreover, HDPE pipes are an excellent material for cage construction because they are
durable, flexible, shockproof, resistant to ultraviolet (UV) light and require relatively little
maintenance, if installed correctly.

HDPE CAGE CHARACTERISTICS

HDPE pipes
Types of HDPE

There are several different HDPE materials used for pipes; those used for cage
construction are mainly PE80 or PE100. These codes, according to ISO 4427, relate to the
minimum required strength (MRS) of the pipe, measured after 50 years at a temperature of
20 °C, and expressed in Bar:
• PE 80 (= MRS 8.0);
• PE 100 (= MRS 10.0).

PE 80 indicates an HDPE grade where the pipe will rupture at a pressure of at least 8.0
N/mm, over a 50year service life at 20 °C. In the case of the PE 100 pipe, the pressure
would be at 10.0 N/mm. This means that, assuming we have pipes of the same dimensions,
pipes made of PE 100 material may function at a higher operating pressure than pipes
made of PE 80. The density of PE 80 is slightly lower than that of the PE 100, with specific-
gravity
values of 0.945 g/cm3 and 0.950 g/cm3, respectively. Therefore, a cage built with PE 100
HDPE will be more rigid and stronger than a cage made with PE 80 HDPE, assuming both
pipes are of the same dimensions, and slightly less flexible in handling dynamic loads.

Diameter of pipes

The external diameter of HDPE pipes used for cage building is usually expressed in
millimeters. The diameter of the pipes will determine the buoyancy of the cage collar. The
more exposed the site, the more buoyancy will be needed (e.g. more weight will be needed
to maintain the cage volume) and, therefore, the pipe diameter will need to be larger.
Brackets will be sized according to the pipe’s diameter (see section on brackets below).
Pressure is not a characteristic relevant for cage construction. However, HDPE pipes are
produced with different pressure-resistance grades (PN grades), which indicate the
pressure of water, in bars, that the pipe can sustain at 20 °C. Different PN grades imply a
different pipe wall thickness and, consequently, cage weight, strength, resistance and
flexibility. Therefore, the higher the pipe PN is, the thicker will be the pipe wall thickness.
Many HDPE pipe manufacturers use the “standard dimension ratio” (SDR) as a method of
rating the piping. The SDR is the ratio of pipe diameter to wall thickness and can be
expressed as follows:
6
SDR = D / s

Where:
D = pipe outside diameter (mm);
s = pipe wall thickness (mm).

Example: A pipe with an SDR of 9 and a diameter of 250mm will have a wall thickness
of 27.8 mm. With a high SDR ratio, therefore, the pipe wall will be thinner. As such, a high
SDR pipe has a lower pressure rating, and a low SDR pipe has a higher-pressure rating.
When used to build circular cages, HDPE pipes are limited by their torsion. Generally, the
minimum radius to close and weld a round cage is approximately 25 times the pipe’s
external diameter. This means that a 250 mm pipe can be bent in a circle of no less than
about 6.25 m radius before kinking (250 × 25 = 6 250 mm). This calculation varies
according to the pipe wall thickness and air temperature.

Brackets

The bracket is a structural element of the cage collar that binds the pipes together to
form the cage collar. Bracket robustness is essential to cage reliability. The bracket design
may include two or three (sometimes even four) seats for the main floating pipes. The
brackets may be equipped with specific attachment points for the net and sinker system,
which can be secured with lines or ropes. A wide range of brackets are available from
different net cage manufacturers, and the design should be chosen taking into
consideration the site exposure and the required strength of the cage.

There are four main categories of brackets: welded plastic, rotomolded plastic, injection
molded plastic, and metal. Welded plastic brackets are made with HDPE pipes and HDPE
components welded together. This type of bracket is usually very robust, although all
components must be properly welded together to ensure durability.

Bracket

Sinkers and sinker tube

7
 Cage nets need to be weighted down to maintain the cage’s volume in variable
currents.
There are two main methods of weighting down a net: using multiple sinkers (or weights), or
using a single sinker tube. Some combinations and modifications of these two systems are
also used.

Multiple sinkers are a commonly used method to weight down a net. Several weights,
usually one for each bracket, are fixed to the outermost pipe of the cage collar with a rope.
This rope can be attached either onto the pipe or onto the bracket (if the bracket is
designed with an attachment point). The rope should be a few meters longer than the cage
net wall. The net is attached either onto the sinkers or onto the sinker ropes with lines
running from the base rope of the net cage. The weight of each sinker will depend on the
net’s dimensions, mesh size, and the site’s environmental characteristics. Faster currents
and larger waves require heavier weights. Sinkers are commonly made of concrete. These
can be readily made by filling a piece of PVC pipe with concrete, into which is immersed a
section of chain, so that the uppermost chain link protrudes sufficiently to be tied onto the
sinker rope or net. (Note: the weight of concrete drops more than 50% when submerged in
water). Very cheap sinker can be prepared by using mesh bags filled with pebbles and
sand. While inexpensive, these bags may tear and lose their ballast. Pieces of large anchor
chain (40 kg per meter) can also be used as sinkers. It is very important that the sinkers are
not hung directly from the nets or from the down-lines (vertical ropes) that are woven into
the net. The weight of the sinker must be directly carried by the cage collar.

Type of sinker

Fish pens made of bamboo series

Split bamboo should not necessarily be sloped and rounded. Fibrous remains or
splinters are removed only. They are soaked in water for two weeks and then dried for one
week. During the soaking and drying period, bamboo poles are prepared and staked in
chosen sites according to the desired size and slope of the fish pen. In a four-sided pen, a
square is economical but a circle is more economical than the square wider ordinarily
condition. In circular pens, there is no need for braces, while pens with corners need bracer
to stabilize the corners.
After staking the poles, weaving bamboo split into banatan follows. One full length of
more or less 5m to a roll after weaving, these banatans are set by stretching them from one
pole to other intertwine or just set inside or outside close to the poles from bottom to top.
8
Those banatans are tied to every pole by rubber or kapo-negro rope and are provided with
sliced rubber on top and one at the bottom. These splitted rubbers prevent the banatan
form wearing-out due to the wave action.

Fish pen

What is it?

In this module you have learned about the materials needed in the installation of pen
and cage frames. Also, you have learned about the difference between a pen and a cage.
Based on the information you have learned, if you are about to culture fish, what would be
your choice between a pen and a cage? Explain why you choose pen or cage by giving the
advantages.

Rubrics to be used in grading:

4  Explanation or answer demonstrates strong understanding of the concept
 Student completely explain the concept using appropriate vocabulary
3  Explanation demonstrates good understanding of the concept
 Explanation is nearly complete but some gaps exist; vocabulary is appropriate
2  Explanation demonstrates some understanding of concept
 Explanation is vague or inconsistent with missing or inappropriate vocabulary
1  Explanation demonstrates limited understanding of concept
 Minimal explanation is provided and explanation is unclear with missing and
inappropriate vocabulary
0  Student was unable to offer any explanation

What more?
9
 Differentiate circular and rectangular pens and cages by giving the advantages and
disadvantages. Make a table for easier work. Note: you can make use of the table below as
your reference.

Advantages Disadvantages
Cage
Circular
Rectangular
Pen
Circular
Rectangular

What I have learned?

LET US REMEMBER:

1. HDPE stands for _______________________.

2. This is the most widely used material in cage construction.

3. This involves rearing of fish in a net enclosure.

4. ___________ is a net enclosure that can either be fixed or floating which is used for fish
rearing.

5. ___________ is a net enclosure that is fixed and uses the seabed as its bottom.

What I can do?

Site specific activities that varies pond culture activities from pen and cage culture
activities which are affected by natural condition.

Rubrics to be used for grading:

4  Explanation or answer demonstrates strong understanding of the concept
 Student completely explain the concept using appropriate vocabulary
3  Explanation demonstrates good understanding of the concept
 Explanation is nearly complete but some gaps exist; vocabulary is appropriate
2  Explanation demonstrates some understanding of concept
 Explanation is vague or inconsistent with missing or inappropriate vocabulary
1  Explanation demonstrates limited understanding of concept

10
  Minimal explanation is provided and explanation is unclear with missing and
inappropriate vocabulary
0  Student was unable to offer any explanation

Assessment
Self-Check:

Multiple choice: Choose the letter of the correct answer

1. How to prevent damage to the net enclosure when constructing the framework of a fish
pen?
A. Bamboo poles should be cleaned to remove sharp edges
B. Diaphragm of bamboos should not be removed
C. Place guide poles at the corners of the proposed site
D. None of the above

2. Which of the following materials is needed in constructing frameworks?

A. Steel pipes B. Rubber strips C. Nylon cords D. Nylon nets

3. Bamboo poles and/or anahaw logs should be cleaned to remove sharp edges to prevent
________.
A. Cord damage B. Net damage C. A and B D. none of the above

4. When bamboo poles are used as a post for fish pen, diaphragm are removed to reduce
its _______?
A. Buoyancy B. Length C. Life span D. Strength

5. Which of the following materials is needed when tying fish pen?

A. Nylon threads B, Steel pipes C. Nylon nets D. Wooden poles

Additional activity

Activity Sheet 1.1

I. Directions: Make a sample miniature cage.

Answer key 11
Self Check:
1. A
2. B
3. B
4. A
5. A

References

Aquaculture methods and practices: a selected review. Retrieved at

www.fao.org/3/T8598E/t8598e05.htm. retrieved on September 9, 2020

Cardia, F. and Alesandro L. 2015. Aquaculture operations in floating HDPE cages. Food
and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Ministry of Agriculture in the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. pp. 176

http://online.anyflip.com/sonkk/mqzn/mobile/index.html

Senior High School

12
 Aquaculture NC II
12
Quarter 1 - Module 8:

Install fabricated net into cages to

the cage frame

For the learner:

Welcome to the Aquaculture NC II. This module was designed to provide you
with fun and meaningful opportunities for13guided and independent learning at your
own pace and time. You will be enabled to process the contents of the learning
resource while being an active learner. This module has the following parts.
 What I Need to Know
This will give you an idea of the skills or competencies you are expected to learn in the
module.

What I Know
This part includes an activity that aims to check what you already know about the
lesson to take. If you get all the answers correct (100%), you may decide to skip this
module.

What’s In
This is a brief drill or review to help you link the current lesson with the previous one.

Whats New
In this portion, the new lesson will be introduced to you in various ways such as a story,
a song, a poem, a problem opener, an activity or a situation.

What is it
This section provides a brief discussion of the lesson. This aims to help you discover
and understand new concepts and skills.

What’s More
This comprises activities for independent practice to solidify your understanding and
skills of the topic. You may check the answers to the exercises using the Answer Key at the
end of the module.

What I have Learned

This includes questions or blank sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process what you
learned from the lesson.

What I Can Do
This section provides an activity which will help you transfer your new knowledge or skill
into real life situations or concerns.

14
 Assessment
This is a task which aims to evaluate your level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.

Additional Activities
In this portion, another activity will be given to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of
the lesson learned.

Answer Key
This contains answers to all activities in the module. At the end of this module you will
also find:

References
This is a list of all sources used in developing this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the
module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.

If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to
consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are not alone.
We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and gain
deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

What I need to know

This lesson will give you insights and knowledge in pond preparation especifically in
installing net into cages to the cage frame.

Learning Objectives:

After reading this INFORMATION Sheet, YOU MUST be able to:

1. Understand the basic knowledge in installing fabricated net into cage frames.
2. Apply knowledge and skills in installing fabricated net into cage frames.
3. Explain the importance of installing fabricated net into cage frames.
15
 What I know

Before you go through the lesson, try to answer this pre-test. This will enable you to find
out what you already know and what you still need to know about “Installing fabricated
net into cages to the cage frame”.

Self-Assessment:
Multiple Choice: Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. Net fabrication in fish pens should be based on ___________?

A. Depth of water and mud
B. Highest water level of flood level
C. Characteristics of the fish to be cultured
D. All of the above

2. Which of the following is not a material for net cage fabrication?

A. CD-net(3/4 mesh size) C. DD-net(3/8 mesh size)
B. CC-net(1/2 mesh size) D. B-net(1/4 mesh size)

3. Which of the following is not a material needed in enclosure and barrier?

A. Nylon nets B. Polyethylene nets C. Films D. ropes

4. These are important in cage culture for it is used in the mooring line.
A. Nets B. Ropes C. Pipes D. none of the above

5. Which of the following does not belong to the group?

A. PP B. PE C. HDPE D. HPPE

What’s in?

Net fabrication should be based on the physical data of the proposed site (i.e. depth of
water and mud), highest water level or flood and characteristics of species to be cultured.
The perimeter of the fish pen must be known before the net are cut and installed according
to specifications.

What’s new?

16
Netting

The cage net is the most valuable component in any fish cage system. Cage nets are
ingeniously constructed and include many different features for safe and practical
deployment. All nets should be manufactured to the highest possible quality and should be
thoroughly inspected after each process and right up to the complete finish of the process.
Net characteristics and cage design can make the difference between a successful fish
farm and a failure. Net design, details, specifications and characteristics must be tailored to
each farm. Having highly reliable net cages is essential. This requires attention to several
factors, such as net cage design, manufacturing, strength of netting and net components,
strength loss in use, handling and storing.

The recent expansion in fish cage culture has been largely driven by the industrial
development of new materials and polymers. Ongoing research on new polymeric fibers is
continuously providing innovative materials for new nets and ropes. Synthetic fibers play a
key role in the fish cage aquaculture industry subsector, as they are used to manufacture
both netting and ropes. The same polymers can be used for both net cages and moorings,
resulting in similar issues in terms of robustness, maintenance and reliability.

The most common synthetic polymers for nets and ropes are nylon or polyamide (PA);
polyester (PES); polypropylene (PP); and high-performance polyethylene (Dyneema™ or
Spectra™). Polyester and polypropylene fibers can be braided together to create netting
with the combined characteristics of the two polymers. All these polymers are non-water-
soluble; they have good chemical resistance and are therefore well suited for use in the
marine environment, providing excellent and long-lasting durability and reliability.

Polyamide (PA), or nylon

• Sinks (density = 1.14)
• Very resistant to breaking
• Very resistant to abrasion
• High elongation (stretch)
• Excellent flexibility
• High capacity for absorbing different resins

Nylon is the most commonly used fiber in cage aquaculture. Netting for cages, mooring
lines and lines used for attaching the net to the collar are mostly made with nylon. Nylon
has poor resistance to UV light and will deteriorate, thus all the equipment made with this
fiber must be properly stored away from direct sunlight. The longer nylon nets or ropes are
exposed to UV light, the greater the decrease in breaking load and overall strength,
resulting in a higher risk of structural breakages.

Nylon is highly elastic (23 percent at breaking load), which can increase the length of
each component after a working period of few months by about 10 percent. Therefore, a
nylon mooring system will need to be tensioned again a few months after it has been
deployed. Nylon net cages will increase in depth by 5–10 percent owing to the elongation of
ropes and netting subjected to loads from biofouling or the sinkers on the net. Nylon fibers
can also shrink, causing problems in netting. After several net-washing operations, it is
possible that the horizontal dimensions of the cage can be reduced by 3–5 percent. In the
net assembly, consideration must always be made for this factor and extra netting built into
the design to allow for this phenomenon.

Polyethylene (PE)
17
• Floats (density = 0.94–0.96)
• Good resistant to abrasion
• Good elasticity.

Polyethylene and high-density polyethylene nets are often used as

anti-bird/antipredator nets due to their light weight and resistance to abrasion. Braided or
twisted knotted nets are being used in salmon grow out in locations where nets treated with
antifouling are banned and frequent on-site net cleaning is required.

Polyester (PES)
Sinks (density = 1.38)
• Highly resistant to breaking
• Good flexibility
• Low elongation
• Highly resistant to UV exposure

Polyester has very good resistance to UV light, so it is commonly used for nets that
have to be exposed to the sunlight, such as bird nets mounted above the cages, and anti-
abrasion net panels around the waterline of the cage.

Polypropylene (PP)
• Floats (density = 0.92)
• Resistant to breaking
• Highly resistant to abrasion

Polypropylene netting is not commonly used in cage net manufacturing, but is instead
often used for predator nets (commonly for bird protection nets). Polypropylene nets with a
large mesh size and large twine thickness are also used as spat collectors in mussel
culture, because the buoyancy of the fiber contrasts the weight of the mussels that attach to
the net.

Mesh shape

Netting used for cage culture is available in two different mesh shapes, either square
shaped or hexagon-shaped. There are no apparent advantages in using one instead of the
other; it is mainly a matter of traditional preferences. In Italy, for example, square mesh is
preferred, while in Greece, hexagonal mesh is more widely used. The following
considerations are based on general experience, and should not be considered as facts or
recommendations:

• Square mesh – advantages:

– mesh shape remains always open in strong currents, allowing the water to readily pass
across the mesh;
– better durability in the water because the vertical loads are distributed throughout the
aligned net twines;
– easier to repair.
• Square mesh – disadvantages:
– more waste in the manufacturing process of the cage net because netting needs to be cut
to make square panels;
– less elasticity to the vertical movement from wave action.

• Hexagonal mesh – advantages:

18
– more elasticity in vertical movement as cages are subject to wave action (this is a very
useful characteristic for netting with low elastic power, such as HPPE);
– less waste during the manufacturing process.

• Hexagonal mesh – disadvantages:

– more difficult to repair.
– not easy to measure the mesh size.

There is no overall preference, and the advantages and disadvantages of these

meshes
and their characteristics are continuously debated among farmers.

Mesh shape

ROPES

Ropes are an important component of cage aquaculture. They are used for the mooring
lines, the grid system and for the netting frame (such as the rib-lines and down-lines, which
distribute the forces on the cage net). Ropes are generally divided into two types:

• Twisted rope – with an S or Z torsion (either clockwise or anticlockwise twist), and usually
composed of 3, 4 or 8 strands. Each strand consists of several twisted yarns. The tighter
the twisting, the better the abrasion resistance, and the longer lasting the rope. A softer
twist is generally preferred if splicing is needed. Soft medium twisting is mostly used in cage
net production, owing to their being readily sewn by machine.

19
• Braided rope – composed of a braided coat with 12, 16, 24 or 32 yarns, and an inner core
made with twisted rope or braided yarns. Some braided rope can have a double coating in
order to improve the abrasion resistance. Braided rope without any core is generally used
when it is necessary having a good elasticity and resistance to torsion.

Net rope knots

The main structural

component of the net is the
system of ropes and the rope
knots. These ropes and knots
ensure the strength and
robustness of the net cage.
Different types of rope are used,
and there are no specific
recommendations.

Net Installation

The following procedures describe the general process for net installation. Installation
procedures for a new net may differ from farm to farm; they are also constantly being
refined “in the field” year after year by each team of workers.
1. The net is unpacked on land and carefully checked to verify that there are no
manufacturing defects.

20
2. If the attachment points of the net are spliced eyes, an adequate number of connecting
lines should be prepared and assembled alongside the net. The number of lines for
connecting the net to the brackets will be double the number of the net’s vertical lines, and
each will be about 1.5–2 m long (the actual length will depend on the brackets’ design). The
number of lines for connecting the net to the sinker system will be equal to the number of
vertical lines, and these will be several meters long. The length of these ropes is variable
depending on the length of the net and the model of sinker system.

3. The net is lifted inside the cage collar with a boat crane. Its top rope is fixed onto the
brackets at the handrail level, and the waterline rope is fixed onto the base of each bracket.

4. Divers connect the base rope to the sinker system through the connecting lines.

Net installation scheme

Black: netting

Blue: vertical line with spliced eye ends

Violet: sinker system, which can be installed

onto either the external pipe or an
attachment point on the stanchion

Green: the lines connecting the net to the

brackets and to the sinker system

Red dots: Horizontal ropes (end elevation of

top-line, waterline and baseline)

Net Measurement

The length of the net needed is determined by multiplying the total perimeter of the pen
by 1.3. This is the ideal allowance for the net pen and cage. It gives equal stretching to the
four sides of the mesh. Example: Perimeter pen = 400 m. Therefore, the length of perimeter
net required = 400 x 1.3 = 520 meters.

Procedure in Ribbing Nets (joining nets with rope)

1. Join net together
2. Insert 5 mm polyrope at the first row of meshes of nets
3. Weave with 2 10/18 resined nylon twine one inch apart employing a clove hitch and knot.

This procedure is repeated for succeeding layers until desire depth of net is completed.

Barrier Net Installation

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 The commonly used nets are 3 knots and 7 knots polypropylene nets. A 9 mm polyrope
can be used for lower (foot) and upper (head) part of the barrier assembly. The installed
nets can be adjusted according to fluctuations in water level.

Fixing Nets into Frameworks

The installed nets are brought to the site and fixed to the pen framework. Tie the head
rope about 1-2 meters high above the water surface. Use the double footrope to fasten the
bamboo pegs and stone sinkers. Fix the net in place by driving the pegs and stone sinkers
into the lakebed. After the net has been fixed, remove the debris and other materials inside
the net enclosure as these may damage the nets.

Fish Cage
Types of Nets for Cage
Fabrication
 B – NET (1/4 “mesh)
 DD – NET (3/8 “mesh)
 CC – NET (1/2 “mesh)

Net Cage Fabrication

The cage used is made from netting materials, which were sewn together to form an
oversized mosquito net. These are then installed in the modules in an inverted position. The
dimension of the cage may be used depends on the needs, capability and production target
of the fish farmer. For instance, a small cage measuring 5 x 10 x 2.5 cm. is easy to
manage. One or two laborers can readily lift the cages during harvest or during routine
inspection. Another advantage using smaller cages is that even if a cage gets damaged or
destroyed, fish loss will be minimal.

However, one can increase to as much as 10 x 25 x 2.5 meter to save on materials as

compared to several units of smaller cages. A 5x10x2.5-meter net cage would require at
least one role of polyethylene nets, a roll of polyethylene and 3-5 rolls of nylon twine. The
10x20x2.5 net cage would use up 2 ½ rolls of netting materials, 2 ½ rolls of polyethylene
rope, and 8-10 rolls of nylon twine. Sewers can be paid to fabricate net cages the costing of
which is based on the netting material sewn per linear meter.

Procedure in Installing Net Cage-to-Cage Frame

1. Hang the nets in bamboo raft type frame.
2. Allow 1 meter of the net above the water level to prevent the fish from jumping out.
3. Fix the synthetic ropes into the four corners of the frame.
4. Set the mooring system

What is it?
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 In this module, you have learned about the types of net, ropes and knots and how to
install net into the cage frames. Compute for the total perimeter of the pen if you have a
perimeter of 520 meters.

What more?

Differentiate the different rope knots in terms of their durability and where or when to
use it them?

Rubrics to be used for grading:

4  Explanation or answer demonstrates strong understanding of the concept
 Student completely explain the concept using appropriate vocabulary
3  Explanation demonstrates good understanding of the concept
 Explanation is nearly complete but some gaps exist; vocabulary is appropriate
2  Explanation demonstrates some understanding of concept
 Explanation is vague or inconsistent with missing or inappropriate vocabulary
1  Explanation demonstrates limited understanding of concept
 Minimal explanation is provided and explanation is unclear with missing and
inappropriate vocabulary
0  Student was unable to offer any explanation

What I have learned?

LET US REMEMBER:

1. A type of rope that is either twisted clockwise or counterclockwise.

2. ___________ is sometimes called nylon net.

3. How do you measure the total perimeter of a pen?

4. Installed nets can be adjusted depending on the ___________________.

5. __________ is the most valuable component in any fish cage system

What I can do? 23

 Make an example of the different knots using available ropes in your homes. Submit it
including your module.

Assessment

Self-Check:

Multiple choice: Choose the letter of the correct answer

1. Net fabrication in fish pens should be based on ___________?

A. Depth of water and mud
B. Highest water level of flood level
C. Characteristics of the fish to be cultured
D. All of the above

2. Which of the following is not a material for net cage fabrication?

A. CD-net(3/4 mesh size) C. DD-net(3/8 mesh size)
B. CC-net(1/2 mesh size) D. B-net(1/4 mesh size)

3. Which of the following is not a material needed in enclosure and barrier?

A. Nylon nets B. Polyethylene nets C. Films D. ropes

4. These are important in cage culture for it is used in the mooring line.
A. Nets B. Ropes C. Pipes D. none of the above

5. Which of the following does not belong to the group?

A. PP B. PE C. HDPE D. HPPE

Additional activity

Activity Sheet 1.1

I. Directions: Make a sample miniature cage.

Note to be submitted together with the different ties/knots

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 Answer key

Self-Check:

1. D
2. A
3. C
4. C
5. C

References

Aquaculture methods and practices: a selected review. Retrieved at

www.fao.org/3/T8598E/t8598e05.htm. retrieved on September 9, 2020

Cardia, F. and Alesandro L. 2015. Aquaculture operations in floating HDPE cages. Food
and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Ministry of Agriculture in the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. pp. 176

http://online.anyflip.com/sonkk/mqzn/mobile/index.html

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