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"Easier to operate than we had expected"

In 2005, Kobbevik & Furuholmen bought their first net cage systems from Aqualine. 157 meters circumference – complete with a sinker tube. - For the first time in 10 years, plastic net cage systems had become a part of our operations, says general manager in the company, Magne Hatlevik.

Hatlevik continues by saying that they were anxious as to how net cage systems of this size would act on a site that is so exposed to currents as theirs. After a few years of experience, they saw that the net cage systems did their job and that the growth rate was better in the plastic net cages than in the corresponding systems in steel.

The sinker tube helps

– I believe that the heavy sinker tube is the reason, says Hatlevik. - It keeps the net distended and maintains the net volume even when the current is at its strongest. We also had the net cage systems supplied complete with a gangway all the way round. The gangway contributes to a good working environment and is thus very popular among the fish technicians, continues Hatlevik.

Simpler than anticipated

He adds that they were not afraid to go for big net cage systems. The company also owns two big purse seine vessels and is thus used to handle big nets. In big net cage systems, it is important have good control with the fish, and therefore they use video surveillance for continuous monitoring of the net cage systems. - To operate net cage systems of this size was easier than we had anticipated, says Hatlevik.

The company runs its operations in Austevoll. They have 7 concessions and in 2006, they reached a production of 5,500 tons. At the present, they operate a combination of plastic systems and steel systems.

Kobbevik & Furuholmen have ordered more Aqualine net cage systems for delivery in 2007.

”Strength and security are important”

- We operate efficiently in large units so it is important that the supplier of the equipment focuses on strength and security. The combination of steel and plastic feels reassuring says Carl-Erik Arnesen, daily manager of Firda Sjøfarmer.

- We wouldn’t have come back year after year and bought net cage systems from Aqualine if we weren’t happy, he says.

Great improvements with sinker tube

- Today we have chosen to operate in 157 meter Aqualine net cage systems. We have gone from cone-shaped nets to cylinder-shaped nets with sinker tubes and we have experienced significant improvements. The fish have more space, Arnesen continues.

Firda Sjøfarm only operates in plastic net cage systems. They put the smolt out into the largest cages and change the nets along the way. De-lousing and sorting using sorting grates has worked very well. –They are demanding operations and they demand the full attention from everyone involved says Carl-Eric Arnesen.

Firda Sjøfarm has 12 concessions, their own young fish and slaughter plants. They export most of the fish themselves.

Just as reliable after 15 years of use.

In 2006, Marine Harvest chose Aqualine’s net cage systems with 120 meters circumference. A total of 13 systems were supplied. For the Irish, this was a new experience. Until this point of time, an 80 meters circumference had been the standard.

- We went into this to keep up with the development. The net cage systems have worked beyond our expectations, and the fish technicians easily adjusted to the new situation with the big systems. The fish thrive, says production manager Joseph Gibbons.

Difficult conditions
According to Joseph Gibbons, they often have wave heights of 5.5 meters. In addition 2 knots current that is generated because of 5 meters tidal range.
Currently, they have more than 100 Aqualine net cage systems in operation. The first systems were supplied in the spring of 1992 and have been in continuous operation for 15 years. They have proven their strength and reliability on one of Ireland's most exposed sites, Loch Swilly, on the north western tip of the green island.

Marine Harvest is Aqualine’s biggest customer in Ireland.