PRETEST

Multiple Choice: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Answer this in your test notebook.

1. It is a structure tht is used to enclosed the whole fishpond?

a.
b.
c.
d.
2. What is the biggest compartment pond in the fish
pond system?
a. Catching pond

b.
c.
d. Rearing pond
3. It is a compartment used to grow
fish fry.
a. Catching pond
b. Transition pond
c.
d. Rearing pond
4. It refers to the physical features of the
earth’s surface.
a. Dike

b.
c. Topography
d.
5. Structure dug at the cnter of the dike
founation to sstrengthen the dike.
a.
b.
c.
d. Bed width
6. The min gate is constructed at the –
a. Corner of the dike

b. Shorter side of the pond

c.
d.

7. A concrete class A mixture has a ratio of
( cement; sand; gravel ).___
a. 4:2:1

b. 4:1:2

c. 2:1:4

d. 1:2:4
8. It is the complete removal of tree stumps and root system embedded in the soil.
a.
b.
c.
d.

Falling

Under brushing

Uprooting

Withering
9. What part of the gate serves as the
foundation of the structure?
a.
b.
c.
d.
10. The ratio of horizontal length to the
vertical height is called_____.
a. Freeboard

b.
c.
d.
11. What is the basis of the configuration
of fish tank construction ( size, shape,
depth )?
a. The beauty of the tank

b. The color of the fish

c. The sensitivity of the fish

d. nutritional
The characteristics and
requirements of the
fish
12. What is the purpose of installing air
support system in your tank?
a. To produce bubbles in the water of
the tank

b. To add beauty in the tank system

c.
d.
13. What is the term used to indicate a mixture of cement, sand and water?
a.
b.
c.
d.

Mortar

Concrete

Aggregates

Cement
14. What is the first step in the
construction of fish tanks?
a. Excavation of the site

b. Marking the area

Layering of the hollow

c. blocks

d. Installation of
reinforcement bars
15. What is the common outlest usually
installed in small fish tanks?
a. Telescope outlet
b. Sink outlet
Combined telescope and
c. sink outlet

d. All of the above

16. Which of the following is not included
in the construction of fish tanks?
a. Hollow blocks
b. Sand and gravel
c. Clay

d. Cement
17. What is the equivalent of 1 m to
feet?
a. 0.328

b. 32.8

c. 32.8
d. 3.28
18. What part of the tank system does the
drained water from the tank flows out?
a. Water outlet
b. Water inlet
c. Drainage canal
d. Central drain
19. How many sides are there in a
hexagonal tank?
a. 4
b. 5
c. 6
d. 8
20. What do you call the line segment passing
through the center of a circle?
a.
b. Radius

c. Inlet
d.
Eccentric
21. Which of the following is a disadvantage
of culturing fish in fish cages?
Easier handling, inventory, and
a. harvesting fish

b. Better control of fish population

Effecient control of fish competitors

c. and predators

d. More manpower equipment

22. In what part of a floating fish cage are
the nets suspended?
a. Framework

b. Floaters

c. Mooring lines

d.
23. It keeps the whole cage in place and
prevents the fish cage from being towed by
the current.
a. Framework

b. Floaters

c. Mooring lines

d. Anchors
24. What is the mesh size of the net
used ingrow-out cages?
a. 15 mm

b. 20 mm

c. 25 mm

d. 30 mm
25. What is the first step in net cage
fabrication?
a. Double lace every mesh

Cut net according to the desired

b. specification

c. Rig all sinkers to the rib lines

d. Make splices on the four corner

26. Bamboo poles or anahae log used in fish pen
construction should be cleared of sharp edges in
order to ____.
a. Prolong its life span

b. Make staking easier

Prevent damage to the

c. nets

d. Increase its buoyancy

27. How are the posts installed between
each of the guide post aligned?
a. By using of a transit

By using a bracing
b. bamboo

c. By using a rope

By using a sighting
d. device
28. Net fabrication will be based on the
physical date of the proposed site. This
includes _____.
a. Nature of water current

b. Characteristics of the cultured fish

c. Highest water levels or flood levels

d. Temperature and salinity of the

water
29. The length of the nets needed is determined by multiplying the perimeter of the fish pen by _______.
a.
b.
c.
d.

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5
30. What is the first step in fixing the net into the
framework of a fish pen?
a.
Tie the head rope about 1.2 m above the
water surface

b. Use the double foot rope to fasten the

bamboo pole

c. Fix the net in place by driving bamboo pegs

d. Remove debris and other materials inside the

enclosure
 ANSWER KEY IN PRETEST

1. 1. C 11. D 21. D
2. 2. D 12. C 22. A
3. 3. C 13. A 23. D
4. 4. C 14. B 24. B
5. 5. B 15. B 25. B
6. 6. C 16. C 26. C
7. 7. C 17. D 27. C
8. 8. C 18. C 28. C
9. 9. D 19. C 29. B
10. 10.C 20. A 30. C
Unit Competency:
CONSTRUCT AQUACULTURE FACILITIES

 MODULE NO. 3

CONSTRUCTING AQUACULTURE
FACILITIES
LESSON 1

CONSTRUCTING
FISHPONDS
 Definition of Terms

a dike that encloses the entire facility

Design a sketch or plan Perimeter
and render overall protection to the
dike
cultured stock

a place where construction work is

Gate a structure used to cotrol water flow Site
taking place

a diagram showing how something Seepage the act or process of seepage

Layout
is constructed
Pond Water Control Structures
A. DIKES
 
Types of dikes
A. Primary, main or perimeter dike
- it is the dike that encloses and protects the entire pond system.
- it is the tallest and widest among the types of dikes with the most
gradual slope.
- it is the dike that should be provided with a freeboard of 0.3 – 1 meter
after shrinkage and settlement.
- the dike that is usually provided puddle trench measuring 30cm in
width and 50cm in height dug up along the central path of such a dike.
Freeboard – is the additional height of a structure, e.g. main dike,
above high water level to prevent overflow.
B. Partition dike

Two classification of partition dike

b.1. Secondary dike – which are smaller than the main dike with
gradual slope and which enclose NPs, TPs, and RPs.
Parts of dikes

The following table presents the parts of the 3 types of dikes and their size
specifications.
SIZE (meter)
Parts
Main dike Secondary dike Tertiary dike
 Crown or top width 2 – 4 b/ 1–2 <1
 Base or bottom
4 – 10 3–7 1.3 - 2
width
 Height _______ c/ _______ e/ _______
 Height to slope ratio 1:1 to 1:2
d/
1:1 < 1:1
 Berm 0.5 – 0.6 0.5 < 0.5
 Berm is a narrow path or footwalk reserved between the base of
a/

the dike and the excavated pond. It also serves in fortifying the dike
and in holding or trapping eroded soil from the dike top and wall.

 Perimeter dike subjected to wave action should have a minimum

b/

crown of approximately equal to the height of the maximum wave.

 Height of main dike should be 0.3 – 1 meter higher than the

c/

highest water level in the site.

 d/
A slope of 1:1 for clay soil is appropriate for 3 meter height of main
dike and 1:2 height to slope ratio for > 4 m height, if the dike is
subjected against big wave action.
  
 e/
Height of secondary dike is as high as or a little lower than the
main dike.
DIK
E is built based on the height to slope ratio, i.e. a certain
vertical measurement (height) has a corresponding
horizontal distance (slope) ratio. For example, 1:1
height to slope ratio means that for every meter
increase in height of dike, there is a corresponding
horizontal measurement of 1 m. In calculating the
slope, the vertical line, which serves as the height and
from which the slope is measured outward, should be
projected at the edge of the crown and be extended
straight down to the base or bottom width. 
 
Formula for determining the following:

A. Unknown base: B = [2 (H)(S)] + C

B. Unknown crown: C = B - [2(H)(S)]
C. Unknown Slope: B – C = 2 (H)(S)
S=B–C
2H
The design height of dike should be provided with a freeboard after shrinkage and settlement
of 0.3 to 1 meter above the higher water level. Given below are the recommended allowance
for shrinkage and settlement.

Allowance for structure and settlement

Condition
(%)
1. Poor material and poor methods and
1.5 – 3.0
practices in construction
2. Soil exceptionally high in organic
4.0 or more
matter
3. Compacted by construction
5 - 10
equipment
The total height of the main dike above the ground level can be
computed by the following formula:
 
Hm = (Hat – Gs) + Mf + F
1 – (%S)
100
 
Where: Hm = height of the main dike
Hat = highest astronomical tide
Gs = elevation of the ground surface
Mf = maximum flood level
F = allowance for freeboard
%S = a percent shrinkage and settlement
 CROSS-SECTION OF PERIMETER (MAIN) DIKE AND BASIS FOR DETERMINING HEIGHT
 
D.Unknown height: B – C = 2 (H)(S)
H=B–C
2S
E. Area of dike: Ad = (B + C) H
2
 
Where: B = base
C = crown
H = height
S = slope
2 = constant number
Ad = area of dike
 TASK SHEET #4.1
CONSTRUCTING FISHPOND

Answer the following:

1. Define the following:
a. a. Design d. site
b. b. Lay-out e. seepage
c. c. Plan f. Gate

2. Enumerate the following :

d. Types of dike
e. Parts of dike
 TASK SHEET #4.2
POND WATER CONTROL STRUCTURE (DIKE)

Briefly answer the following:

1.Define dike.
2.Describe the different parts of a dike.
3.Give the formula in finding the height of a
a. A.Main dike
b. B.Secondary dike
c. C.Tertiary dike
B. GATES
 
Types of gates:
 
a. Primary or main gate/s (Fig.35 a-d)
- is/are the pond gate/s constructed on the perimeter dike/s.
- is/are the largest and tallest gate/s as waterway depending
the size of the entire pond system.
- it links the pond system to the source of water.
- it regulates the exchange of water between the pond
system and the tidal stream.
- it is usually situated at the central side of a main dike
facing the source of water.
Requirements in the design of main gate:
1. It should be as high as the main dike.
2. Its floor elevation should be lower than the lowest pond bottom
elevation and as low as or slightly lower than extreme low tide.
3. It may have 1-4 openings as waterway depending upon the size of
the entire pond system to be flooded.
a. A single opening with 1 meter wide is enough to flood a 10-15
hectare bangus pond system with 50-75 cm water depth in 2-3
successive high tides. A 2-3 openings with 1-1.2 m each opening is
needed for the same hectarage for shrimp farming requiring > 1m
water depth, and 3-4 openings with 1-1.2 m each opening for >15
ha of pond.
4. Each opening must have 4 pairs of grooves: 2 pairs for
slabs or flashboards to fit at the central gate portion and 2
pairs for screens – one at each end of the gate.
5. Its 4 wings should be constructed 45o outward.
6. The gate foundation must be rigid and stable. Its floor and
apron should rest or sit on a combination of wooden piles
(tulus) and layers of boulders and gravel or just wooden
piles alone.
7. It must be provided with cut-off walls.
8.It must be provided with adequate reinforcement steel
bars which are spaced < 40 cm center to center. Vertical
bars of 12-13 mm in ø and horizontal bars of 10mm in ø
should be used.
b. Secondary Gates (Fig. 36 a-b)
- are those gates situated on the partition dikes.
- regulates water level in the NP, TP and RP units.
- are smaller than main gate with 1-2 openings per
gate with a width of 0.8 – 1 meter per opening.
- are made of either concrete hollow blocks,
reinforced concrete mix, or wood.
c. Tertiary Gates
- are those gates installed in the catching
ponds.
- are the smallest gates with opening width
of 0.5 – 0.8 m
Classification of gates:
1.Sluice gates (Fig. 35 a-c)
– are those pond gates constructed open on top (not
concealed) across the dikes with 2 pairs of grooves
provided at the central portion of the sidewalls for fitting
the slabs and another 2 pairs for each of the gate ends for
the screens.
- are easy to mention and allow rapid water discharge
rates.
may not render passage of vehicular transport across
them.
2. Monk gates (Fig. 37 a-c)
are those gates whose central bodies are
concealed in the dikes, i.e. the top of the main
body parts of the gate is covered with soils
which allows motor vehicles to pass over.
 TASK SHEET #4.3
POND WATER CONTROL STRUCTURE (GATE)

Briefly answer the following:

1. What is a main gate? Describe the needed information in
designing a main gate.
2. What are the different parts of a main gate? Describe each.
3. Draw and label the parts of a main gate.
4. Describe secondary and tertiary gate.
 Compartments/Parts of water control
(main gate)
a.Floor – the floor serves as the foundation of
the structure and this must be lower than the
pond bottom elevation. The floor of the main
gate must not be exposed during extreme low
tides.
b. Apron – the apron generally rest on the foundation piles
which are made of seasoned bamboo driven at 0.3 m
intervals into the soft soil with the butt end up. This serves
as the protection to scouring and future seepage of water at
the gate’s sides.
c. Cut-off walls – these are provided at both ends of the
gate floor to prevent seepage and undercutting of water
over the gate’s foundation. They extend down into the soil
at a minimum depth of 0.6 m.
d. Side or breast walls – side walls define the sluice
way in addition to their being retaining walls for the
dike fill. Grooves or double cleats for flashboards
and screen are built on these walls. The top of these
walls are as high as the top of the dike.
e. Wing walls – these provide the transition from the
sluice way into the main canal in addition to
retaining the earth at both sides of the gate. The
best angle of inclination towards the outside is 45o.
f. Bridge or catwalk – this is a reinforced concrete
slab or thick wooden planks and span the side walls.
g. Flashboards – slabs or flashboards are generally
wooden planks, 2.5 – 5 cm thick and 30 cm wide
inserted into grooves or double cleats. They are
used to control the amount of water flowing through
the gate.
h. Screen – these are usually made of wood
bamboo strips or of fine polyethylene meshes
attached to cultured fish and the entry of
predators into the ponds.
i. Pillars – in wooden gates, these are vertical
supports where wooden walls are nailed.
j. Braces – they keep the steady opening of
the gate.
Other pond support structures:
A. Water supply canals (WSC) – these canals serve the purpose
of supplying and draining water to and from the pond. The main
water supply canal starts from the main gate and usually
transverse the central portion of the fish farms. The floor of this is
sloping towards the gate floor. A 10-15 ha pond is provided with
WSC having a width of at least 3 meters.
B.Drainage canals (DC) – these are support structures usually
constructed in the outer ides of the pond parallel or perpendicular
to the WSC. These are recommended in intensive culture,
especially of shrimps, to effect flow-through system and better
water management.
C. Flumes – are open channels or elevated canals constructed on top of the
dike for purpose of supplying well-oxygenated water into various pond
compartments. These can be made of concrete hollow blocks, prefabricated
concrete slabs, or marine plywood. These are recommended in semi-
intensive and intensive prawn farming.
D.Pumps – are machines used in pumping water into and out of the ponds.
These are very necessary during the dry season when water level is low and
the salinity of brackish water ponds becomes too high (above the optimum).
E. Aerators – these are devices used to supply oxygen or agitate or break up
the water surface to effect the fast transfer of oxygen from air to water during
which time the oxygen in the pond is at critical level, e.g. <3-4 mg/l (ppm),
and to remove the excess oxygen in the pond as well as the toxic gases
such as the ammonia (NH3), carbon dioxide (CO2), and hydrogen sulfide
(H2S).
 
 TASK SHEET #4.4
POND WATER CONTROL STRUCTURE
(Compartments/Parts of water control (main gate)

1.Enumerate the Compartments/Parts of water control (main gate)

2.Discuss the pond support structures
LESSON 2

Constructing Fish
Tanks
 Definition of Terms
a powder of aluminum, silica, magnesia,
lime, etc,.burned together kiln and finally a mixtureof cement, sand and
Cement
pulverized and used as ingredient of mortar Mortar water used for lying blocks,
and concrete; used to bind sand or gravel bricks or masonry.
into solid mass

a hallow cylinder or cone

Essentric a hallow cylinder or cone made of reed, Pipe made of reed, straw, hard
straw, hard plastic or wood. plastic or wood.

any large concrete, fiber glass or steel

Fish tank container of liquids for culturing fish and other
aquatic plants and animals.
Construction Resources for Concrete Tanks
The resources for the construction of fish tanks must be
adequately prepared such as the gravel, sand, steel, bars,
cement,PVC pipes and elbows, hollow blocks, Sahara
cement, PVC solvent cement, faucet, GI wire, shovel, crow
bar, construction pail and wooden box.
Constrution materials like gravel, sand, steel bars, PVC
pipes, bags of cement should be placed properly near the
proposed site to allow free movement of workers.
 FIGURE 1. CORRUGATED STEEL BARS FIGURE 2. SAND FIGURE 3. GRAVEL
 FIGURE 4. PIPE WRENCH FIGURE 5.GI WIRE FIGURE 6. PVC PIPE
 FIGURE 7. CEMENT FIGURE 8. HOLLOW BLOCKS
 Outlet Construction - Construct a water outlet at the rear end of the tank.

 Figure 9.drain outlet Figure 10 drain hole Figure 11. drain canal
 The outlet must be fitted with PVC pipe of 4”
diameter to prevent the hole from enlarging due to
constant flow of water. This is where the water from
the tank being drained passes out to the drainage
canal .The drainage canal is 0.5 m wide and 0.3 m
deep.
The drain hole of round tank ( hexagonal or 6-
sided tanks, octagonal or 8 sided tanks and circular
tanks) must be constructed at the middle of the tank.
 TASK SHEET #4.5
CONSTRUCTING FISH TANKS

1.Briefly answer the following:

2.Define the following:
a.Cement e. inlet i. vacuum
b.Diameter f. outlet j. vortex
c.Eccentric g. mortar
d.Fish tank h. pipe
3.What are the resources and materials needed in constructing
concrete tank? (15)
4.Make a bill of materials and cost estimate in constructing fish tank.
LESSON 2: SELF CHECK (CONSTRUCTING FISH TANKS)

Choose the letter of the correct answer. Answer this in your notebook.

1. What is the basis of the configuration of fish tank construction

( size, shape, depth )?
a.
The beauty of the tank
b. The color of the fish
c. The sensitivity of the fish

d. The characteristics and nutritional

requirements of the fish
2. What is the purpose of installing air support system in
your tank?
To produce bubbles in the
a. water of the tank
To add beauty in the tank
b. system

c. To supply dissolved
oxygen for the fish
d. To attract the attention of
your classmates
3. What is the term used to indicate a mixture of
cement, sand and water?
a. Mortar

b. Concrete

c. Aggregates

d. Cement
4. What is the first step in the construction of fish
tanks?
Excavation of the
a. site

b. Marking the area

Layering of the
c. hollow blocks

d. Installation of
reinforcement bars
5. What is the common outlest usually installed in
small fish tanks?
a. Telescope outlet

Sink outlet
b.
Combined telescope
c. and sink outlet

d. All of the above

6. Which of the following is not included in the
construction of fish tanks?
a. Hollow blocks

Sand and
b. gravel

c. Clay

d. Cement
7. What is the equivalent of 1 m to feet?
a. 0.328

b. 32.8

c. 32.8

d. 3.28
8. What part of the tank system does the drained
water from the tank flows out?
Water
a. outlet

b. Water inlet

Drainage
c. canal
Central
d. drain
9. How many sides are there in a hexagonal tank?
a. 4

b. 5

c. 6

d. 8
10. What do you call the line segment passing
through the center of a circle?
a. Diameter

Radius
b.
Inlet
c.
d. Eccentric
KEY ANSWER ( SELF CHECK ) LESSON 2 : CONSTRUCTING FISH TANKS
1. D
2. C
3. A
4. B
5. B
6. C
7. D
8. C
9. C
10. A
 LESSON 3
CONSTRUCTING FISH CAGES AND FISH PENS
Definition of terms

a structure made of a net include barrel, styrofoam, and

Fish enclosing all sides supported by plastic containers that are installed
Floaters
cage fixed rigd frames with floats on to keep the frame stable above the
sides. water surface.

materials that keep the whole fish

. Fish
made of bamboo frames driven
Mooring cage in a certain location and
on seabrd and enclosed with
pen system prevent it frombeing towed by the
nets.
water current.

the smallest unit of a net. Ribbing the joiningnets with rope

Mesh
Construction of Fish Cages
Cage culture is the process of raising fish in cages made of nylon nettings and bamboo/ GI frames
that are either floated, submerged or fixxed at the bottom. Fish cages can be established at sea, lakes,
rivers, lagoons, estuaries, coastal bays, as well as in waater-filled excavations such as old quarries and
mines, irrigation canals, small farm reservoirs, and small water impounding projects.
Cage culture has the following advantages:

Make handling, inventory, and harvesting of fish easier

Promotes better control of fish population
Provides efficient control of fish competitors and predators
Promotes effective use of fish feeds
Helps reduce mortality
Promotes high stocking rate
Makes movement or relocation of fish cage possible
Requires less manpower
Needs minimum supervision
Pointers to consider in selecting sites for fish cages

The body of water must have depth of at least 2-3 meters. Shallow
water tends to be turbid and may clog the gills of the fish with silt.
The site must not be exposed to strong winds. Strong winds may break
or totally destroy the project. Avoid exposing the fish cages on areas
with opposite prevailing wind direction.
Water should be of good quality and free from pollutants. Fish do not
exhibit good growth and may die when exposed in polluted water.
Very strong current must be avoided. Strong current at the surface or
under will carry away the feed given to the fish and might destroy the
fish cage itself.
Water temperature should range from 20 degree cilcius. While
recommended ph level is within 6.8 to 8.9 . Dissolved oxygen
should be at least 5 ppm.
Good quality fingerlings should be available in the locality at a
reasonable price. Transporting fingerlings from distant places
would entail higher cost.
Labor and other inputs must be available in the locality.
The cage should be secured against poachers. This problem is
encountered if the projects is unguared especially when the fish
are ready for market. A caretaker must guard the project.
The project must be accessible to transportation.
 TASK SHEET #4.7
CONSTRUCTING FISH CAGE AND FISH PEN
Briefly answer the following:
1. Define the following:
a. Fish cage d. floaters
b. Fish pen e. mooring system
c. Mesh f. ribbing
2. Enumerate the water areas where fish cage can be established. (10)
3. Enumerate the advantages of fish cage culture. (9)
4. Enumerate the factors to consider in fish cage site selection (9)
Major parts of floating fish cages
Frames for the net cagesare suspended. The sides of which
become walkways for feeding and monitoring.. The frames
should be able o withstand water current, withstand high salt
content if at sea and resistant to fouling organisms.
Floaters are installed to keep the frame stable above the
surface of the water. The common materials for floaters are as
follows:
a. Barrel
b. Styrofoam
c. Plastic container
Mooring keeps the whole cage in a certain location and
prevents it from being towed by water current. Mooring
materials are usually made of steel.
Nets hold the fish and their meshsize depends on fish size.
Polyethylene net is durable, strong, resilient, less
expensive, and resistant to fouling.
Pointers in the selection of nets are:
a. Must be non- abrasive
b. Must be knotless
Materials Needed in Constructing Fish Cage
For structure/ framework
a. G.I pipes
b. Bamboos ( most common )
c. Lumber
d. Tying materials
For net cage fabrication
a. Polyethylene nets
b. Polypropylene nets
c. Nylon nets
For floaters
a. Steel drum
b. Styrofoam
c. Plaxtic container
d. Aluminum cylinder
e. PVC pipes
f. Rubber tiires
For mooring
a. Plastic rope ( 1 inch in diameter )
b. Steel weights
c. anchors
 Design Consideration for the Construction of Fish Cages

Determination of Size, Depth, and Shape

The dimensions of fish cages are dependent mainly in the ability of
the owner as far as operation and maintenance are concerned. The
physical and biological traits of the fish must also be considered.
The depth of the cage is usully determined by the natural productivity
of the water. Since natural food production is relatively higher in the
surface, light penetration is usually the basis for depth.
Netting System
A net is basically made meshes. A mesh is the smallest
unit of net. The mesh size is the distance between the
centers of the opposite knots in the same mesh when it is
fully extended at the right angels to the continuing direction
of the twine.
The mesh size to be used must be small enough to
prevent the escape of the cultured fish and entry of
predators.
Framework Design
Framework construction varies according to operator
specifications. There are two framework design which are
commonlu used: the single-braced and double- braced
framework. The framework should be appropriately
designed to withstand strong winds,currents and waves,
pile up of water hyicinth and other floating debris. If the
framework area is to be used as service area, it should be
strong enough to support thr weight of the people and
other materials necessary for the operation
Floating System
The floats to be used in floating cages should have
high buoyancy, be resistant to fouling and withstand water
pressure, forces of winds and waves. They should be
constructed to support the weight of the framework and
materials necessary for the operation. For the longer life
and less fouling attachments, floats like styrofoam and
polystyrene may be covered with protective materials
such as rubberized canvass.
Mooring System
Mooring lines should be light and strong, flexible, highly
resistant to wear, impact, abrasion, stretch and twisting. As a
general guide length of mooring lines should be three times
the depth of water. Rope made of synthetic fibers, metallic
wire ropes and chairs are commonly used for mooring lines.
Metallic ropes have excellent strength but have the
disadvantage of being too heavy and costly. Synthetic fiber
ropes are light, flexible, and also have excellent strength but
are relatively less resistant to abrasion and cuts.
Anchor
An ideal anchor must provide enough holding power wih reasonable
weight and size. The type of anchor used in the mooring system
depend on the depth of water, nature of the bottom and water current.
The three types of anchor are deadweight, embedment and special
anchors. Deadweight anchors are recommended for mooring involving
essentially vertical tension. A typical example of this type is concrete
block. Embedment anchors are designed to dig into bottom as they are
being pulled by a horizontal force. It is recommended for sandy to
muddy bottom. Special anchors are combination of deadweught and
embedment anchors. They are designed to resist vertical and horizontal
components tension.
 TASK SHEET #4.8
MAJOR PARTS OF FISH CAGE

Briefly answer the following:

1. Enumerate and describe the major parts of fish cage.
2. Enumerate the needed materials in constructing fish cage.
3. Enumerate and describe the design considerations for the
construction of fish cage.
Net Cage Fabrication
There are many kinds of nets used in cage
fabrication. The most common are B-net ( 1/4”
mesh ), DD-net
( 3/8”mesh ) and CC-net ( 1/2 “ mesh ). Floating fish
cage are made of nylon nettings supported on all
sides and corners with polyethylene rope fixed by a
nylon twine. Each is hung within a rectangular area,
the top is supported by frames and the bottom
provided with sinkers.
Construct the fish cage net in the following manner:
1. Cut net according to the desired specification.
2. Double lace every mesh of the four corners using nylon
twine 210 d/6,double twine beginning atthe second mesh
now using rolling hitch or clove with a single hitch looking at
intervals of 7.62 to 10.16 cm.
3. Double lace the nylon salvage net to the top the edge of
the cage with a nylon twine, using either a rolling hitch or
clove hitch single hitch as lock.
4. Rig all sinker ( no. 7 ) to the rib line of the bottom side
and centers. Attach the rib lines on all sides using rolling or
rib hitch with an interval of 7.62 to 10.16 cm.
5. Make splices on the four corners of the hanging lines
( top portion of the net cage ) for the attachment of the top
four corners fixing the ropes. Make also eye splices on the
four bottom corners for the attachment of four stretching
ropes with weight. Continue with the other units following
the same procedure.
 TASK SHEET #4.9
NET CAGE FABRICATION

Briefly answer the following:

1. How to construct fish cage using different kinds of nets.
 Construction of Fish Pens
Fish pens are areas enclosed by nets on all sides and
utilizing the lakebed as their bottom enclosure. It is usually
supported by fixed rigid frameworks bamboo poles, palm tree
poles ( anahaw ) and wood poles. The dimension of this type
of structure varies from less than a hectare to as wide as 100
hectares each compartment depending on the capability of
the operators in terms of financial and manpower.
Fish pens are most suitable in relatively large bodies of
water and along protected coastal areas where the water level
ranges only from 2 meters to a maximum of 7 meters.
 Materials for construction
The materials neede are mainly based on the
specification set by the operator. Quality and type of
materials to be used would depend on the financial
capability of the owner. However , functionality and the
ability of the structure to withstand adverse conditions in the
proposed site should be given utmost consideration. Proper
specification of materials such as rope and twine diameter,
mesh, depth, sizes, knotted or unknotted, color, etc. Must be
observed at all times.
For structure / Framework
a.Bamboos ( most common )
b.Wooden poles
c.Anahaw ( palm tree )
d.Creosoted pole
e.Steel / G.I pipe
For enclosure and barrier nets
a.Polyethylene nets
b.Polypropylene nets
c.Nylon nets
For tying and braiding
a.Polyethylene rope and twine
b.Polypropylene rope
c.Nylon threads
d.Nylon cord ( monofilament )
e.Rubber tire string
 Design Consideration for the
Construction of Fish pens
Netting system
A net may either be flexible or rigid depending on the netting
materials used. Generally, the most suitable nets should be flexible
or adaptable for easy handling, resistant to fouling, resistant to heat
and ultraviolet rays locally avilable and inexpensive.
The mesh size to be used must be small enough to prevent the
escape of the cultured fish and entry of predators. For grow-out
operation, use 20 mm mesh nets, However, as long as they can
prevent the escape of fish, large meshes are recommended since
they provide large passageway for water ciirculation
Framework Design
Framework construction varies according to one’s
specifications However, there are three basic designs which are
commonlyused; the singel-braced, the do uble-braced, and
long- reinforced framework. The use of double framework is very
common.
The inner frame holds the enclosing nets for the fish and the
outer framework hold the barraicade net which would prevent
debris from damaging the net enclosure. The framework should
be designed to withstand strong winds, currents, waves, pile-up
of water hyacinths and other floating debris.
 TASK SHEET #4.10
CONSTRUCTION OF FISH PEN

Briefly answer the following:

1. Define fishpens
2. What are the materials used for fish pen construction?
3. Describe the design consideration for the construction of
fish pen.
LESSON 2: SELF CHECK (CONSTRUCTION OF FISH CAGE)

Choose the letter of the correct answer. Answer this in your notebook.

1. Which of the following is a disadvantage of culturing fish in fish

cages?
a. Easier handling, inventory,
and harvesting fish
b. Better control of fish
population
c. Effecient control of fish
competitors and predators
d. More manpower equipment
2. In what part of a floating fish cage are the nets
suspended?
a. Framework

b. Floaters

c. Mooring lines

d. Anchors
3. It keeps the whole cage in place and prevents the fish
cage from being towed by the current.
a. Framework

b. Floaters

Mooring
c. lines

d. Anchors
4. What is the mesh size of the net used ingrow-out
cages?
a. 15 mm

b. 20 mm

‘c. 25 mm

d. 30 mm
5. What is the first step in net cage fabrication?
a. Double lace every mesh

b. Cut net according to the desired

specification

c. Rig all sinkers to the rib lines

d. Make splices on the four corner

6. Bamboo poles or anahae log used in fish pen
construction should be cleared of sharp edges in order
to ____.
a. Prolong its life span

b. Make staking easier

c. Prevent damage to
the nets
d. Increase its
buoyancy
7. How are the posts installed between each of the
guide post aligned?
a. By using of a
transit

b. By using a bracing
bamboo

c. By using a rope

d. By using a sighting
device
8. Net fabrication will be based on the physical date of
the proposed site. This includes _____.
Nature of water
a. current
Characteristics of
b. the cultured fish
Highest water
c. levels or flood
levels

d. Temperature and
salinity of the
water
9. The length of the nets needed is determined by
multiplying the perimeter of the fish pen by _______.
a. 1.2

b. 1.3

c. 1.4

d. 1.5
10. What is the first step in fixing the net into the
framework of a fish pen?
a. Tie the head rope about 1.2 m above the water surface

b. Use the double foot rope to fasten the bamboo pole

c. Fix the net in place by driving bamboo pegs

d. Remove debris and other materials inside the enclosure

KEY ANSWER ( SELF CHECK ) LESSON 2 :CONSTRUCTION OF FISH CAGE

1. D
2. A
3. D
4. B
5. B
6. C
7. C
8. C
9. B
10. C