A New Kind of Offshore Marine Fish Cage

Mariculture Systems, an Israeli start-up, developed an innovative semi-submersible offshore platform for raising fish in the open sea. Designed by leading marine engineering and aquaculture experts, the platform can withstand waves up to 17 meters (56 feet) high. During storms, the fish cages are lowered to about 30 meters below the surface, allowing the fish to behave naturally and avoid rough conditions.

Each platform is capable of producing 7,000-10,000 metric tons of fish annually at a stocking density of 20 kg/cubic meter. The system is designed to support the sustainable cultivation of a variety of marine species while minimizing carbon emissions and other environmental impacts. The company holds patents in more than 35 countries, including the United States, Australia, China, Germany, Greece, Israel, Norway, and Portugal.

The technology addresses several limitations of conventional aquaculture. Nearshore aquaculture often operates in calmer waters that lack the rapid, continuous flushing currents of exposed, open-ocean sites. This slower water exchange can lead to lower dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, which can affect fish health and quality while increasing the risk of environmental impacts.

They can also conflict with tourism, residential development, and other coastal uses. Traditional fish cages are generally unable to withstand the severe conditions of the open ocean, whereas Mariculture Systems' semi-submersible design enables fish farming in deeper, higher-energy waters with stronger currents and better water quality.

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