Volume loss of an aquaculture net pen due to current speed and linear weight of sinker ring

The internal volume of aquaculture net pens is an important variable to fish comfort during the culture process. In this research, a module of net pens was modelled using the finite element (FE) software AquaSim®. The net pens deformation was analyzed under different current speeds (0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 m s ^-1) and linear weights of the sinker rings (30, 40 and 50 kg m ^-1). It was found that under the most severe condition, that is, the highest current speed and the lowest linear weight of the sinker ring (0.75 m s ^-1 and 25 kg m ^-1 , respectively), the volume loss with respect to initial undeformed net pen volume reached a maximum value of 53%. This occurred in the net pen firstly exposed to currents. Based on modeling results, a relationship between net pen volume loss due to the combined effects of both water current speed and linear weights of the sinker rings is proposed.