Aquaculture and Fisheries

DSA’s offices are conveniently located adjacent to the primary aquaculture and commercial fishing regions in Canada. We have had opportunity to assist clients in predicting the response of fishing boats, anchors, nets, lines, and fishing gear to a variety of environmental conditions.

In the commercial fishery sector we use dynamic analysis to provide advice on methods to reduce snarls, determine optimal tow arrangements, and select winches. We have developed informative 3D visualisations of fishing operations, supervised flume tank testing of fishing gear, and developed custom software which guides optimal fishing arrangements. DSA’s analyses and expertise can lead to better catch rates, safer operations, and more efficient use of resources.

In aquaculture, typical projects include assessing the safety and integrity and engineering of finfish aquaculture facilities using Norwegian Standard NS9415 and experience from other ocean industries. We commonly advise clients on anchoring, line choice, and how net cages respond in currents and waves. Engineering assessment of aquaculture facilities is becoming a requirement of regulators and insurers, and is increasingly needed as aquaculture sites move into exposed offshore locations.