Finfish farming is going through major development with the emphasis on offshore farming in particular with new species. There are several cage designs being used successfully in inshore locations but these have proved ill suited to offshore applications. One exception to this has been a cage system developed and manufactured by Bonnar Engineering / Dunlop Oil and Marine. This system is based on floating hose technology from the oil and dredging industries.

In many countries there is increasing public and planning resistance to placing of cages in inshore locations primarily because of their impact on visual amenity. In addition it is well known that fish perform much better in offshore sites where the water exchange is invariably greater. This has and will lead to the industry moving farms further offshore. Due to the severe weather and sea conditions encountered the farmer needs to be certain that his valuable stock are secure. The Tempest range of cages can provide the farmer with the best solution. The cages are in use in some of the most exposed sites in the world and being operated successfully. Dunlop Oil and Marine are world leaders in the design, manufacture and supply of large bore hoses used at offshore oil loading terminals. Their technical expertise and high concern for quality means that they are well qualified to help the fishfarming industry in its move to more exposed locations. The constant wave motion at these sites exacts a heavy toll in terms of cumulative damage to the collar structure. The use of Dunlop hoses has been proven with some hoses still in use almost 20 years after installation. The farmer knows he is getting a quality product from an internationally renowned company backed up by a comprehensive after sales service and continuous development programme.