The Aqua Farm Global presentation "Current technologies and services for cage fish farms: fr om equipment selection to efficient operation" featured Irina Zakharevich, Executive Director of the LYUKSOL Net-Making Factory, and Sergey Galizin, General Director of Hermes LLC. The experts presented their joint solutions for cage farms and discussed equipment selection, operation and maintenance.

Irina Zakharevich presented the capabilities of the LYUKSOL Net-Making Factory. The company produces netting in a range of mesh sizes, cage nets for aquaculture and custom products manufactured to customers' drawings and dimensions.

She focused particularly on technologies that can extend the service life of cage nets. LYUKSOL, for example, produces netting made from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene. Compared with other materials used in the industry, it offers greater wear resistance and strength while weighing less.

The company's solutions for cage farms also include:

• Cage nets in various shapes and sizes.

• Collectors for waste and dead fish.

• Seine nets made to fit individual cages.

• Equipment for harvesting and unloading fish.

• Special hooks for lifting netting.

Zakharevich also presented solutions developed for marine aquaculture, including cage nets with higher breaking strength and protective domes. Products intended for use in saltwater and brackish water receive an antifouling treatment. This reduces biofouling and, in southern regions, also protects the material from ultraviolet radiation.

Sergey Galizin continued the presentation by outlining Hermes' approach to designing and installing cage lines, selecting equipment and providing after-sales service.

He noted that the design of a new farm must take into account not only equipment specifications but also the conditions at the individual site. The company's specialists review the initial request and aquaculture feasibility study, visit the location, measure water depth and assess local conditions, including prevailing wind patterns. The project is then developed and the appropriate equipment selected based on these findings.

Hermes manufactures cages, pontoon lines and anchoring systems, with components produced at its own facilities.

Sergey Galizin placed particular emphasis on the importance of anchoring systems. Loads must be calculated correctly for the conditions of the individual water body to protect both the farm and its fish during severe weather. As an example, he cited a project in the Rostov Region wh ere cage lines withstood a powerful hurricane because their anchoring system had been properly designed.

Hermes has completed projects in various regions of Russia and abroad. The presentation included several custom solutions. For one farm, the company developed a structure that could be removed during the ice drift season and returned to its operating position in spring.

Sergey Galizin also presented a transport cage fitted with a working platform and a transom for an outboard motor. The structure can be used for moving fish, loading and other operations directly on the water.

LYUKSOL and Hermes have worked together for more than ten years. During this time, they have developed a joint approach to fish farming projects: Hermes designs the structures and cage lines, while LYUKSOL manufactures cage nets to meet the requirements of each project.

According to Sergey Galizin, the two companies have developed a strong understanding of each other's requirements, enabling them to work together on complex custom structures.