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Fishes
Special Issues
Engineering Solutions for Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture and Fisheries
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Engineering Solutions for Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture and Fisheries

A special issue of Fishes (ISSN 2410-3888). This special issue belongs to the section "Fishery Facilities, Equipment, and Information Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 2715

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Changtao Guan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266000, China
Interests: aquacultural engineering; offshore aquaculture; fish cage; hydrodynamics; engineering design and optimization
Dr. Gang Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266000, China
Interests: aquacultural engineering; offshore aquaculture structures; hydrodynamics; CFD; design and optimizations
Dr. Yuyan Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fisheries Science, Shanghai 200090, China
Interests: fishing gear; fishery engineering; CFD; model test; fishing gear management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Research and development efforts in offshore aquaculture and fishery engineering are driven by rising global demand for high-quality aquatic products and the limitations of inshore resources. However, harsh open-ocean conditions pose significant challenges to the safety, stability, and operational efficiency of offshore facilities and equipment. In recent years, industry reports have highlighted incidents such as net failures or tears, severe structural tilting, and even the overturning of offshore aquaculture structures under extreme wave or current conditions. Similar incidents have also been observed with fishing gear and related facilities.

This Special Issue will focus on novel, cutting-edge engineering solutions to address these challenges. Topics of interest include the design, optimization, and hydrodynamic performance evaluation of critical systems such as offshore aquaculture structures, trawls, stow nets, and associated fishing gear components. Enabling technologies will also be highlighted, including numerical simulations, experimental validation methods, and intelligent sensing systems, with an emphasis on bridging theoretical advances and practical applications.

We invite original research articles, short communications, and review papers in the fields of offshore aquaculture and fishery engineering. Submissions should provide comprehensive overviews of recent technological advancements, propose strategic optimizations for aquaculture systems, fishing gear, or equipment, and outline future research directions aimed at improving the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of the industry.

Prof. Changtao Guan
Dr. Gang Wang
Dr. Yuyan Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Fishes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • aquaculture engineering
  • offshore aquaculture
  • aquaculture equipment
  • fishery engineering
  • fishing gear

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 4766 KB  
Article
Detection and Tracking of Mesh Intersection Points for Autonomous Net Cleaning Robots
by Gen Li, Jin Wang, Anji Lian, Lijun Gou, Guoliang Pang, Taiping Yuan, Yu Hu and Xiaohua Huang
Fishes 2026, 11(4), 215; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes11040215 - 2 Apr 2026
Viewed by 368
Abstract
Net cleaning robots have been playing an increasingly important role in offshore aquaculture due to their efficiency and labor-saving capabilities. However, in practice, these robots are still entirely teleoperated and require constant, skilled human operation. The mesh intersection points, which serve as a [...] Read more.
Net cleaning robots have been playing an increasingly important role in offshore aquaculture due to their efficiency and labor-saving capabilities. However, in practice, these robots are still entirely teleoperated and require constant, skilled human operation. The mesh intersection points, which serve as a structural feature of the nets, provide valuable visual cues for robot self-localization and net damage identification. Therefore, the detection and tracking of these points are crucial for developing autonomous net cleaning robots. To achieve intersection point detection, we propose NPUNet-lite, a lightweight model based on U-Net. This model significantly minimizes computational resources and model size while preserving high detection accuracy. For reliable point tracking, we develop the NlPTrack algorithm, which incorporates an iterative closest point-based association strategy to meet spatial constraints between points within a frame, and a cascaded association strategy to satisfy homographic and epipolar constraints across adjacent frames. We build a dataset from videos collected during a robotic cleaning task to train and evaluate our methods. The experimental results indicate that our segmentation network achieves comparable accuracy to advanced networks, yet with a substantial reduction in computational cost. Meanwhile, the tracking method successfully tracks the majority of intersection points across scenarios where the robot moves in different directions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineering Solutions for Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture and Fisheries)
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16 pages, 2583 KB  
Article
Based on the DEM-SPH Coupled Method for Analyzing the Dynamic Characteristics of a Spiral Sorting Device for Fish Grading
by Dai Zhang, Huang Liu, Andong Liu, Chongwu Guan, Chenglin Zhang, Yujie Chen, Yiqi Wu and Yue Zhang
Fishes 2026, 11(4), 212; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes11040212 - 1 Apr 2026
Viewed by 430
Abstract
In the fish grading process, traditional mechanical sorting devices tend to cause fish stacking, collisions, and increased stress responses, seriously affecting fish health and commercial value. This paper designs a power-free fish pre-sorting device based on a spiral chute structure, achieving automatic and [...] Read more.
In the fish grading process, traditional mechanical sorting devices tend to cause fish stacking, collisions, and increased stress responses, seriously affecting fish health and commercial value. This paper designs a power-free fish pre-sorting device based on a spiral chute structure, achieving automatic and gentle separation and output driven by the fish’s own weight and water flow; it constructs a multi-stage dynamic model of fish in the spiral chute to analyze the forces and motion patterns; and it introduces an innovative DEM-SPH coupled numerical simulation technology to accurately simulate the complex interactions between fish and water, thereby revealing the self-sorting mechanism of fish inside the device. By setting different conditions such as fish length and water layer thickness, the sorting effect and stability of the device are systematically verified. The results show that this spiral power-free sorting device can effectively achieve automatic spacing separation of fish, reducing collisions and stress responses; fish of 130 mm length have better sorting stability under a water layer thickness of 3–5 cm, and the minimum initial release spacing for effective operation of the device is determined to be 0.11 m. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineering Solutions for Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture and Fisheries)
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20 pages, 8258 KB  
Article
Effect of Buoy Layout and Sinker Configuration on the Hydrodynamic Response of Drifting Fish Aggregating Devices in Regular Waves
by Guiqin Chen, Zengguang Li and Tongzheng Zhang
Fishes 2026, 11(4), 203; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes11040203 - 27 Mar 2026
Viewed by 367
Abstract
Drifting fish aggregating devices (DFADs) are central to tropical tuna purse-seine fisheries, yet their hydrodynamic performance under realistic seas has not been adequately addressed, particularly for emerging eco-friendly designs. A three-dimensional framework based on computational fluid dynamics is developed to assess the motion [...] Read more.
Drifting fish aggregating devices (DFADs) are central to tropical tuna purse-seine fisheries, yet their hydrodynamic performance under realistic seas has not been adequately addressed, particularly for emerging eco-friendly designs. A three-dimensional framework based on computational fluid dynamics is developed to assess the motion response and mooring loads of full-scale DFADs comprising raft buoys, biodegradable cotton rope, and iron sinkers, using four buoy layouts (Models A to D). Unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) simulations are performed with a realizable k–ε closure, volume of fluid (VOF) free-surface capturing, the Euler overlay method, dynamic overset meshes, and catenary mooring coupling. Regular waves representative of operational conditions (T = 1.40 to 2.40 s, H = 0.10 to 0.40 m) are imposed via a VOF wave-forcing technique, and mesh/time-step sensitivity analyses demonstrate the accurate reproduction of the first-order wave elevation (error < 0.8%). Surge drift per cycle and heave response amplitude operators, with the relative mooring force, are evaluated as functions of the relative wavelength (λ/La) and wave steepness (H/λ). The results reveal that the buoy layout exerts first-order control on DFAD dynamics, whereas short, steep waves dominate motion and line loads. The intermediate end-point sinker mass achieves a favorable balance between motion suppression and mooring load control, whereas distributing a fixed total sinker mass along the rope reduces heave response and mooring force by improving the tension redistribution and overall stability. Across all sea states, Models A and D reduced motion envelopes and mooring forces, indicating their suitability as robust, low-impact configurations. The proposed framework and design recommendations provide quantitative guidance for optimizing eco-DFAD geometry and deployment strategies, supporting safer and more sustainable DFAD-based tuna fisheries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineering Solutions for Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture and Fisheries)
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21 pages, 7508 KB  
Article
Effects of Light Intensity and Photoperiod on the Feeding Behavior of Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792)
by Xiao Liu, Liuyi Huang, Qiqing Liu, Run Wang, Bo Liu, Zhaomin Li, Yacai Song and Ziyi Huang
Fishes 2026, 11(3), 183; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes11030183 - 19 Mar 2026
Viewed by 428
Abstract
Light is a critical factor influencing fish behavior, yet the low-light conditions in deep-sea cages may impair feeding in visual species like rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792). This study investigated the effects of light intensity and photoperiod on the feeding behavior of [...] Read more.
Light is a critical factor influencing fish behavior, yet the low-light conditions in deep-sea cages may impair feeding in visual species like rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792). This study investigated the effects of light intensity and photoperiod on the feeding behavior of rainbow trout. Using green light, a factorial design tested three light intensities (10, 100, and 1000 lx) and three photoperiods (8L:16D, 16L:8D, and 24L:0D), alongside a complete darkness control (0 lx and 0L:24D). Key behavioral parameters during feeding were quantified via video analysis. The results showed significant main and interactive effects of light intensity and photoperiod on feeding behaviors. Feeding activity was substantially suppressed under continuous darkness. On the initial experimental day, exploratory movement was greatest under 10 lx and 8L:16D. Following 50 days of exposure, fish in light groups exhibited more focused swimming trajectories near the feeding point, indicating behavioral adaptation and spatial learning. Correlation analyses suggested a strategic shift from broad exploration to precise, efficient localization over time. In conclusion, specific lighting conditions, notably low intensity under a regular photoperiod, promote efficient feeding behavior in rainbow trout, whereas darkness or extreme light regimens are inhibitory. These findings reveal adaptive behavioral plasticity in this species and provide a scientific basis for optimizing light management in offshore salmonid aquaculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineering Solutions for Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture and Fisheries)
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20 pages, 3926 KB  
Article
Hydrodynamic Performance of Cubic Artificial Reefs During Deployment Process Based on Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics
by Wenhua Chu, Shijing Lu, Zijing Zhao, Xinyang Zhang and Yulei Huang
Fishes 2026, 11(1), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes11010059 - 16 Jan 2026
Viewed by 532
Abstract
Currently, research on the hydrodynamic characteristics of artificial reef deployment still faces challenges such as insufficient environmental coupling, but accurate simulation of the deployment process holds significant engineering importance for optimizing deployment efficiency and ensuring reef stability. This study employs the Smoothed Particle [...] Read more.
Currently, research on the hydrodynamic characteristics of artificial reef deployment still faces challenges such as insufficient environmental coupling, but accurate simulation of the deployment process holds significant engineering importance for optimizing deployment efficiency and ensuring reef stability. This study employs the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method to establish a 3D numerical model, focusing on the influence of key parameters—inflow velocity and water entry angle—on the hydrodynamic characteristics of cubic artificial reef deployment. The results indicate that under flow velocities of 0.4–0.5 m/s, pressure fluctuations are relatively minor, with peak pressure gradients below 15 kPa/m, exhibiting a gradual trend, while particle concentration remains high, and drag gradually increases. At flow velocities of 0.6–0.8 m/s, the maximum pressure at the bottom reaches up to 35 kPa, with low-pressure areas at the tail dropping to −10 kPa; particle concentration decreases compared to conditions at 0.4–0.5 m/s; settling time extends from 8.4 s to 12 s, representing a 42% increase. Under different water entry angles, drag varies nonlinearly with the angle, reaching its maximum at 20° and its minimum at 25°, with a reduction of approximately 47% compared to the maximum. The anti-sliding safety factor and anti-overturning safety factor are used to assess the stability of the cubic reef placed on the seabed. Across different inflow velocities, the anti-sliding safety factor of the cubic artificial reef significantly exceeds 1.2, whereas the anti-overturning safety factor is below 1.2 at 0.4 m/s but exceeds 1.2 at velocities of 0.5 m/s and above, indicating that the reef maintains stability under the majority of these flow conditions. Our findings provide a scientific basis for the deployment process, site selection, and geometric design of cubic artificial reefs, offering valuable insights for the precise deployment and structural optimization of artificial reefs in marine ranching construction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineering Solutions for Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture and Fisheries)
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