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Project Infrastructure

CINEMar/Open Ocean Aquaculture Annual Progress Report for the period 1/01/03 through 12/31/03

Principal Investigator: Michael Chambers

I. Accomplishments

A. Scheduled Tasks

  1. Maintenance of the Open Ocean Aquaculture (OOA) site
  2. Deployment of modified quarter ton UNH feed buoy to the haddock cage
  3. Preparation and installation of HDPE nursery pens
  4. Transfer and maintenance of juvenile cod at the Coastal Marine Lab (CML)
  5. Movement of the haddock and halibut cages to temporary moorings
  6. Recovery of original submerged mooring fields
  7. Preparation and installation of new submerged four grid mooring
  8. Construction and deployment of Sea Station 3000 (SS300) fish cage
  9. Transfer of 35,000, juvenile cod to the SS3000 fish cage offshore
  10. Deployment of new 1 ton feed buoy to temporary mooring at the OOA site.
  11. Diver and logistical support for OOA investigators
    1. Fish feeding and sampling
    2. Net panel study
    3. Sea urchin culture
    4. Submerged maintenance of shellfish longlines
  12. Needed repairs to the research vessel “Blue Fin”
  13. Deep water training of project divers
  14. Facility and equipment rental at the Portsmouth Fisherman’s Cooperative
  15. Maintenance of OOA site permits

B. Progress on Tasks
1. Maintenance to the fish cages, mooring systems, and perimeter buoys are facilitated through dedicated OOA personnel and research vessels Gulf Challenger, Rock and Roll and Blue Fin. Visits to the site averaged between two and three trips per week and vary from summer (more) to winter (less). The cleaning of fouling communities from the fish cages continues to takes considerable dive time and effort. Other maintenance activities include anode replacement, net repair, and shackle and line inspection.

2. The UNH Feed buoy was recovered during the summer of 2002, and refitting during the subsequent Fall. The buoy was changed to run on a 24-volt system which was maintained by solar panels and wind generator. A floatation collar was added to make up for the extra weight added by the batteries and charging system, as well as the computer and control panel. The buoy was tested in the UNH Chase Ocean Engineering Laboratory test tank pre-deployment in December of 2002. The buoy was then redeployed in January of 2003. Slight modifications were made to the mooring system including a more elastic hose, developed by WHOI, and the use of only two mooring rubber bands instead of three. The hose was fabricated with conductors for two video cameras as well as for acquiring temperature and salinity data from within the cage. The buoy itself worked well, but problems with the charging system caused repeated draining of the battery system. Also, extreme cold temperatures caused the buildup of ice on all surface equipment at the site. Copious amounts of ice caused the buoy to partially sink and flooding occurred through the hatch (Figure 1). This was largely due to dead batteries and a frozen bilge outlet. The charging system and batteries were repaired, and a backup bilge line was installed to send water down the feed hose if the outlet was blocked. The harsh winter weather presented several challenges for the feed buoy. However, with the new modifications, has been running well since the spring.

3. Cards Aquaculture Products from New Brunswick, CA was contracted to construct three floating nursery pens (Figure 2) and their associated nets. Each square pen measured 5m by 5m and consisted of a double, HDPE collar with a half meter stanchion. The different size nets (.6, 1.2 and 1.8cm mesh) used on each plastic cage was exchanged out as the juvenile cod fish grew in size.

4. In late April, approximately 33,000 juvenile cod were transferred from Great Bay Aquaculture (GBA) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire to the CML in New Castle, New Hampshire. Fish stress was kept to a minimum buy supplying oxygen and ice to the insulated transport containers. Once at the CML pier, the cod were lowered by buckets into two wooden nursery pens (35m3) under the pier. Each nursery pen was hand fed three times per day until satiation. Some mortality occurred during the summer months and was attributed to warm temperatures as high as 18° C, well above the cod’s optimal temperature range. These mortalities subsided when temperatures decreased below 15° C. In July, hand feedings took place in the morning and a solar powered, automatic feeder fed the cod in the afternoon. Also in July, a third of the population from each pen was transferred into one of the new HDPE fish pens, thereby evenly distributing the cod over three nursery net pens. In mid August an additional 6,000 cod were transferred from GBA to CML and placed into a fourth nursery pen. The final transfer of 5,000 cod was made in early September using a gravity driven hose system rather than bucket system. Mortalities from the summer’s elevated water temperatures left approximately 35,000 fish for transfer offshore in mid September.

5. While both submerged grids have functioned well during the past 4 years, they do not make efficient use of the 30 acre lease site. Therefore, a new submerged four grid mooring system was designed by UNH. The two Sea Station 600 (SS600) cages needed to be removed from the lease site to make space for the construction of the new grid system. In early June, both SS600 fish cages were moved to temporary moorings located on the western side of the site. The mooring consisted of three 2700kg blocks placed south to north. The first cage was placed between the northern most and middle blocks, while the second cage was placed between the middle and southern most blocks. The cages were moored in the submerged mode approximately 33m from each other. The 300kg UNH feed buoy was removed from the haddock cage for towing, and then reattached once the cage was in it’s temporary location. In addition to the feed hose attachment, the feed buoy was also moored to the west by a 1350kg granite block and a 200kg compensator float to maintain tension in the feed hose.

6. Recovery of the original submerged grid systems to make space for the new four grid system occurred in the first week of July, 2003. Preparations for the removal began in June with the addition of crown line markers onto the anchors by divers. Upon arrival of Captain Matt Stommel and crew on the F/V Nobska, both submerged grids were relaxed and brought to the surface. The southern grid was removed first by pulling a grid corner on board, detaching and then reeling in an anchor line. The anchor was checked, the anchor line was changed out and chain was added where necessary. Crown lines were also replaced where needed, and new grid corner balls were added to the anchor lines. After each anchor was serviced, the grid line was reeled on board to the next grid corner and anchor line. The anchors were each towed in turn to the western side of the site and lined south to north, each with a crown line extension and a grid corner ball at the surface.

7. Preparation and installation of the new submerged four grid mooring began at the Woods hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) dock located in Woods hole, MA. A container from Gael Force Marine, Inverness, Scotland was delivered in the end of June, 2003. Gael Force supplied four new anchors, chain, new anchor lines, crown lines, grid lines, four new grid corner rings, and shackles. All the gear was loaded into the hold of the F/V Nobska, chain was stowed on net reels, and the four anchors were stored on deck for deployment upon arrival at the UNH-OOA site. Also, secondary lines with thimbles were spliced into the grid and anchor lines for the NE grid corner. These short pennants were added for the later deployment of load cells in 2004. The Nobska arrived at the OOA site in the first week of July. The four new anchors with line, chain, grid rings and balls were dropped on the western side of the site. The old grids were removed and anchors also placed on the western side of the site. Once space was available, anchors were moved to predetermined GPS coordinates corresponding to a relaxed state for the four grid system. Grid lines were then attached around the outer edge of the grid, leaving one undone. The grid lines to the center were then attached to a grid ring and ball still on the boat. After all lines to the center were attached, the center ball “with a 1800kg weight” was dropped off the stern. While setting the grid, the center weight needed to be able to move freely for proper geometry and tensions in all grid lines. To achieve this, a lift bag was added to the center keeping the center ball at the correct depth but keeping the weight off the bottom. The last grid line was added once the Nobska completed work inside the grid. To set the grid anchors, the Nobska pulled each anchor as close as possible to predetermined GPS coordinates, and then the center weight was dropped to the bottom. Due to the added buoyancy of the grid, pulling the anchor to location and setting them was difficult. The grid was set to a depth between 15-20m below the surface. All anchor and grid locations were recorded with a DGPS. Before leaving, the Nobska moved the 600m3 Halibut cage (Figure 3) into the NW quadrant of the grid. The pennant chain was lifted over the grid line, and bridles were secured by divers.

8. Construction of the Sea Station 3000 began at the New Hampshire Port Authority barge dock in August. The spar, rim and the 6750kg pennant weight were assembled on land prior to the tow offshore Welding of the two spar sections was performed by James Diroma of J&J Steel & Stone, Portsmouth, NH. Twelve, 315kg pipe sections were bolted together at their mitered flanges to form the ring shaped rim. Three cubic yards of reinforced concrete formed the pennant weight which attached to the bottom of the spar via a chain bridal and 22m length of eight-plait rope. Upon completion, Chad Croker of Net Systems of Bainbridge, Washington arrived for the final inspection before deployment to the OOA site (Figure 4). During the third week of august Moore Crane Rental was contracted to lift the cage sections off the dock and lower them into the Piscataqua River. The rim section was lifted with a twelve point bridle, followed by the spar which was set horizontally in the center of the ring and lashed into place. Finally, flotation was added to the pennant weight and the entire unit was close coupled to the bottom of the spar. The R/V Gulf Challenger assisted by the tugboat Sally G of Great Bay Marine towed the entire assembly to the mooring site (Figure 5). The assembly was moored at the surface in its final location, the spar was set vertical, and the pennant weight was released. The net was attached to the top of the spar while the rest was flaked over the spar and attached around the rim and to the harvest plate. The harvest plate was then released which slid down the spar and tensioned the entire cage system. Lastly, air was released from the pressurized spar which lowered the top of the cage to a depth of 11 meters below surface. All onsite construction was completed in two days.

9. Transfer of 35,000 cod offshore to the SS3000 fish cage began in September 16, 2003 at the UNH ­CML with the arrival of the F/V Emerald. The Emerald, a smolt transfer vessel, was employed to move the cod to the open ocean pen using its transfer hold and a Transvac fish pump. The inshore cod pens were brought out from under the CML pier and up alongside the Emerald. The nursery net was gathered to corral the cod into a corner where they were pumped into the boat’s hold. Delays during the first day only allowed for 16,500 cod to be transferred into the hold and brought offshore. Due to poor sea conditions, the Emerald could not position itself close enough to the SS3000 to transfer the fish into the SS3000. The Emerald returned to the CML pier where the cod in the hold were maintained over night with diffused oxygen and with a seawater exchange rate (2244 liters per minute) that cycled the tank every 30 minutes. The following day the remainder of the cod were pumped into the Emerald (Figure 6), and the fish were brought to the site. The vessel was moored as close as possible to the cage, and the transfer hose was brought through the outside net and affixed to the nursery net inside. The fish were then pumped from the two holds into the cage (Figure 7 and Figure 8).

10. The one ton feed buoy, although operational, lacked the permanent feed hose being constructed by WHOI; therefore could not be placed in its final location. It was determined that the northeast quadrant in the mooring grid system, diagonal from the SS3000 cage, would serve as the best temporary location. A two point mooring system was devised in which two 63m lines would connect the buoy to the northeast and center grid corners. Wave action would be dampened by two, 270kg concrete blocks which added ballast in the middle of each line. In November the lines were attached to the grid corners by divers. The working ends of the lines were attached to floats on the surface for easy retrieval. In December the R/V Gulf Challenger assisted by the R/V Blue Fin maneuvered the buoy from its construction site at the New Hampshire Port Authority barge dock to the OOA site (Figure 9). At site, the mooring lines were picked up by the tender and attached to the buoy below the water line with divers. Once attached the lines were hauled to the midpoint where the weights were then attached. A three inch feed hose will eventually connect the one ton feed buoy and the SS3000 cage along the mooring and bridle lines (deployment planned for December). Once the feed hose is in place, the feed buoy will be turned on to feed the cod twice a day.

11. Since nearly the entire site is submerged, divers play a significant role in collecting data from the ongoing research projects within the site.

a. OOA personnel helped support feeding operations of the fish cages offshore. This was carried out through feed transfer to the feed buoy, feeding fish through a portable feed venturi (Figure 10), and feeding by hand under water when feed hoses were clogged. In addition, monthly dives were conducted to collect samples of halibut (Figure 11), haddock and cod from their respective cages for growth analysis.

b. September concluded a year long study looking at the diversification, as well as the spatial and annual distribution of biofouling communities on the nets. Each month divers would collect and deploy six-inch quadrangles with net material stretched over them which simulated the pen nets for the experiment.

c. In May, mesh bags containing green sea urchins (Stronglyocentrotus droebachiensis ) were placed by divers on the spar, rim and at a corner buoy. At the conclusion of the four month growth study divers collected all the bags except the one attached to the corner buoy.

d. Maintenance to shellfish longline was conducted including inspection, cleaning of sub surface buoys and anode exchange. Divers were also utilized for harvesting when mussel biomass became too great for processing equipment to handle on board the R/V Rock and Roll. In this case, mussels were partially harvested into mesh bags and then lifted up onto the vessel to reduce the weight on the line.

12. Repairs and alterations to the research vessel Blue Fin occurred throughout the year. In March, a space heater running off the coolant from the engine was added to heat the cabin. Also a magnetic block heater was added to help with starting in cold weather. The block heater proved insufficient and a coolant circulating heater was added by UNH personnel. In late July, the boat’s turbo began leaking oil due to a bearing breakdown. This required Blue Fin to be hauled and brought to Island Marine in Kittery for service. While the vessel was their, the bottom was pressure sprayed and painted, the injectors were replaced, and glow plugs were serviced. The overhaul was very time consuming and expensive and mostly due to poor vessel design. The starboard air vent allowed sea water spray to enter into the engine compartment, which overtime, led to extensive corrosion. When the boat was placed back in the water for a sea trial, a corroded oil line burst. The boat was pulled back out of the water to have the oil line repaired and bilge cleaned. Since these repairs, the boat has been running smooth and has more power. Steps have been taken to limit the amount of salt water exposure the engine receives through the exhaust, engine hatch and air intake vent.

13. The nature of the OOA project often calls for divers to step outside the limits of recreational diving to complete certain tasks. With the proper training, diving under these circumstances can be performed safely. Under the instruction of Sean Harrison of Technical Diving International (TDI) project diver Glen Rice completed the Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures courses that he had begun in March. In August project divers Glen Rice and Caleb Thibeault began the Extended Range and Introduction to Trimix courses with instructor Brian Carney also of TDI (Figure 12). In October Rice and Thibeault traveled to Deerfield Beech, Florida to conduct dives for their course as well as attend the Tek Conference 2003. The debate format of the Tek Conference featured many experts on diving including Hal Watts, Tom Mount, Dick Rutkowski, and Joe Odom. Several of the forums could be applied to diving on the OOA project including talks on decompression theory, gas blending and diving in overhead environments.

14. Fees were paid to the Portsmouth Fisherman’s Cooperative for use of their fork lifts, jib booms, and dock area for loading gear. Also for cooler space for holding mussel seed and mussels for market.

15. The New Hampshire Fish & Game Marine Aquaculture License is an annual permit that was renewed in January of 2003. The Department of Army permit was renewed in August of 2003 and includes the mooring changes to the OOA site. This permit now extends until March of 2009. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services ­ Wetlands and Non-Site Specific Bureau permit was submitted last spring with the modifications and is currently under process. With the help of Tom Shevenell, an additional federal permit is being sought, due to planned increases in fish production. A letter of request was submitted to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in June of 2003 for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for fish culture activities at the OOA site. Under the federal Clean Water Act, net pen operations are considered by EPA to be a Concentrated Aquatic Animal Production Facility, and can be regulated under the NPDES program as a point source discharge. Currently, dialog with EPA is ongoing with the hope of having the permit in place by spring of 2004. The U.S. Coast Guard was also notified and approved the changes at the OOA site.

C. Important Results or Findings
The scope of the OOA project took a giant step forward during the 2003 season. The newly enhanced mooring field now maintains three fish cages culturing cod, haddock and halibut and two experimental feed buoys. This stable, offshore platform, with dedicated staff, can now serve as a vehicle to explore and develop new biological, environmental and engineering technologies. It is the hope of the project that these new technologies will foster an aquaculture industry in New England.

D. Difficulties Encountered
Challenges still face the project regarding the consistent transmission of real time information from the OOA site back to UNH. Issues with telemetry distance and wave motion of the feed buoy offshore still needs to be resolved. A possible solution may be to build a relay station on White Island for transmitting information back to the Sea Coast Science Center (SCSC). Another is to construct a relay station on a tall, spar buoy between the OOA site and the SCSC. Researchers solving this problem have been working long and hard on the development of the new, one ton feed buoy. Once this buoy is completed and feeding fish, more time and energy can be directed on the telemetry of data back to shore.

E. Anticipated Success in Meeting Project Objectives on Schedule



Copyright 2007, Atlantic Marine Aquaculture Center, Durham, NH 03824
The Atlantic Marine Aquaculture Center is a partnership of the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).