If you have any questions about the nets, inspection or maintenance, please contact our head office or nearest service facility.
HEAD OFFICE
Egersund Net AS
Svanavågveien 30
NO-4373 Egersund
Tel: +47 51 46 29 60
E-mail: post@egersundgroup.no
www.egersundnet.no
Each net has a unique production number. All production-related information and maintenance history is registered and stored with reference to the production number.
Each net has three identification tags: two attached to the top rope and one attached to the centre of the bottom. The identification tags contain the following information:
Manufacturer, year of manufacture, production number, dimension classification, the shape and size of the net, and the type of netting.
On square nets (ENS and ENR), a special tag is attached to each of the corners of the top rope. 
A net may not be used for breeding fish without valid documentation. The validity period for a new net is 24 months. The product certificate`s validity period begins when the net is placed in seawater, which must be no later than 12 months of the issue date. After 24 months, a net must have a supplemental valid service history card. A service history card can extend the net`s validity period by a maximum of 24 months, provided that the net meets the required durability and condition.
A service history card can only be issued by a certified maintenance workshop. All Egersund Net service facilities are certified as service stations in accordance with NS 9415. See NS 9415 for further requirements for the validity period and any extension of such validity.
If any faults or defects are discovered in the net, this must immediately be reported to our sale representative or to one of our service departments. The type of fault or defect will determine the course of action to take, whether the fault or defect is to be recified at the site, and whether the net must be returned to the nearest service facility, or the fault or defect is such that it can wait until the net is returned for routine service.
ENCA with centre weight ropes
EXAMPLE OF TYPE DESIGNATION
ENCC 160 354555 60, where
ENS
EXAMPLE TYPE DESIGNATION
ENS 25x25 2035 34, where
ENR
EXAMPLE TYPE DESIGNATION
ENR 25x53 2035 32, where
Nets from Egersund Net are manufactured and certified for fish farming. Our nets must not be used for any other purpose. The mesh size of the net must be appropriate for the size of fish for which is intended, and it must prevent small fish from escaping through the mesh of an intact net.
The durability of the net must satisfy the requirements of NS 9415 for the full duration of its service life. A net which no longer satisfies durablility requirements must not be used for fish farming.
There will always be potential variations in the basic dimensions used for the individual main components. In a complete system, the component designed in line with the lowest environmental requirements will dictate the approval of the entire installation.
For example, a pen may be approved to tolerate larger waves and stronger current conditions than a net.
It is important to consider how the net and other components in a complete system affect each other. A net covered in fouling will increase the load of the net, pen and moorings, and reduce the oxygen supply to the fish. The net must be designed for the pen so that it is positioned correctly in the sea. Any weights or other stretching systems used must also be designed for the net.
The biggest loads applied to the net normally occur where it attaches to the pen. It is therefore important to check these attachment points during routine and special inspections. A critical point is when installing and using the stretching system.
The load applied to nets varies greatly, depending on currents and wave conditions at the site, as well as on the stretching system used. Incorrect installation of the stretching system can cause an uneven load and lead to the net tearing. Lifting the net at high speed will also produce significant loads and potentially weaken or tear the netting. You can find information about permitted loads and weights on the product certificate.
A large number of dead fish at the bottom of the net can represent a risk in terms of the increased load on the net and other components. Although the net itself can tolerate a large number of dead fish, the mass of dead fish may create significant dynamic forces when the aquaculture installation moved. In extreme cases, these forces may be so great that they pose a risk of damaging the net and/or pen.
Fish farmers must monitor the quantity of dead fish regularly, and develop an emergency plan that includes measures to be taken in event or mass deaths of fish in a net.
The weight of dead fish in seawater is presumed to be approximately 5-10% of their actual weeight above the surface. This is not a scientifically documented ratio, and should ony ever be used to estimate the conditions in the net when dealing with large amounts of dead fish.
When you receive a net, you must check the package for any damage. Visible damage to the packaging is a sign that something has happened to the net during transport. In such cases, you must inspect the net before use and notify Egersund Net and carrier.
When transporting the net, it is very important to ensure that the ropes and netting do not get caught on anything and tear. Ideally, the net should be stored in its original packaging. This makes it easier to transport and reduce the risk of damage. Always inspect the net after installing it in the pen. This reqirement also applies even if the net arrives directly from a service facility.
If you need to move the fish farm installation with the net installed in the pen, it must be towed with great care. Any stretching system must be removed and the towing speed must not exceed the approved current velocity for the net.
Before you start using a net, you must ensure that all documentation (product certificate, service history card, user manual) is included and corresponds with the identification number on the net. Check that the net complies with the requirements for the waves current applicable to the site and that it has the correct mesh size. Check the packaging for any damage. Visible damage to the packaging is a sign that something has happened to the net during transport or storage.
Egersund Net recommends that you someone with experience of these types of operations in charge of the installation. Installing a net can be a risky operation, and the person in charge must ensure that all other personnel follow the guidelines and procedures that you have developed for installing nets, and that they use the necessary safety equipment. Nets must never be installed or handled when weather and current conditions pose a risk of injury to personnel or damage to equipment.
You must use approved lifting strap to lift the net into place. If the net is packed in a bag, then you must check that loops on the bag are approved for lifting. During all lifting operations, the net must be handled carefully and in a controlled manner.
The procedure for installing a net in a pen can vary, depending on size, access to equipment and personnel, as well as the fish farmer`s procedures and experience.
Nets are usually packed with the botoom of the net at the bottom and the top of the net at the top.
Check that all the attachment loops are in use and installed correctly. The attachment loop must not be raised to the point where the knot is rubbing against the pen. This can weaken and potetially sever the loop. See section 6.1
A net must be checked after installation, even if the net is new or has come directly from service. Egersund Net recommends that you perform a visual inspection after installing a net with a stretching system in the pen to identify any damage or faults that may have arisen during the installation.
You must use the correct type of net for the pen you plan to install it in. All nets have their own loops to be used for attaching. The number of loops varies, but the placement of the attachment point on the net must nevertheless correspond to the pen you are installing it in.
You must only use the loops on the main rope to attach the net to the pen. All loads applied to the net are transferred to the pen via the attachment loops. You must never use the loops on the top ropes to attach the net to the pen. They are only intended for lifting (applies to loops on lifting ropes) and attaching the jump net.
Ropes and occasionally straps are used to attach loops to the pen. A loop must be fitted to the pen in such a manner that it is not exposed to abrasion or wear and tear; it must not be installed too tightly against the frame of the net (see illustrations below).
We recommend attaching the attachment rope to the loop in the net before you attach it to the pen. This will make it easeier to install the net. It is a good idea to splice an eye at one end of the attachment rope, which you can thread through the attachment loop. The recommended length of an attachment rope is 3-5 m, which allows you to thread the rope through the loop twice to create an even stronger fastening.
The dimensions of the attachment rope to be used depend the size of the net.
For nets with a circumference of ut to and including 100 m, we recommend using a rope of at least 16 mm. For nets with a circiumference of more than 100 m, we recommend using a rope of at least 18 mm.
If you use a stretching system, you need to ensure that it will not damage the net or other important equipment. A stretching system must only be attached to the net at a point degigned for that purpose. The weight of the stretching system must not under any circumstances expose the net to any load that exeeds the capasity of the loops being used. The maximum permitted load at the attachment point for the stretching system is specified in the net`s product certificate.
When sliding weights are used as stretching system in a net, a weight hanging in the sinkertube suspension is attached. Bottom loop is attached to the sliding weight, and this weight moves along the sinkertube suspension. If there is a waist rope on a net, a sliding weight can be attached there as well. Loop on waist rope is then attached to siding weight in sinkertube suspension.
It is a good idea to attach a thin rope at the very top where the sinker rope is fitted to the pen.
This acts as a safety precaution in the event that the sinker rope in the middle of the net moves and the weight gets stuck behind the ropes attached to the pen. A thin rope will move when subjected to the load of a weight, which will prevent an uneven load on the pen.
A dead fish collector, Liftup or other system for collecting dead fish should make it easier to remove dead fish from a net. Dead fish are to be removed regularly. This is done for various reasons, including to prevent other fish/predators from biting at the dead fish from outside the net, which may weaken the netting ond damage the net.
Equipment used for dead fish collection must sit at the centre bottom of the net, where the netting is reinforced. The dead fish collection system should be inspected when conducting routine inspections. Is a dead fish collector rope inside/outside the net is used, the rope attached to the weight under the net must be long enough to ensure that the weight does not come into contact with the net. This reduces the load on the net when the dead fish collector is pulled up. Any dead fish collector rope used must be suitable for the net and comply with the recommendations from the net manufacturer. Refer to the user manual for dead fish collectors for more information.
We recommend installing the feeding tube between the jump net and the railing of the pen, by tying a rope around the railing and feeding tube. It is a good idea to leave some slack in the rope so that the tube hangs a slight distance from the railing - this will reduce the risk of wear and tear on the tube. You may also want to use several ropes to secure it.
Conduct regular checks to ensure that the tube does not come into contact with the railing or the jump net on the net.
There may be times when components (e.g. a tube for the dead fish collection system) need to be fed through the netting. Before this can happen, the netting needs to be secured by installing a panel in the jump net on the net. This is made of PE or PA 6. The hole on the panel must be made to fit the component that is to be fed through the netting. The panel is fitted in the jump net on the net, above the water line. It is woven into the side ropes, to make sure it stays in the correct position. After attaching it, cut a hole through the middle of the panel. The hole should be made as small as possible. Make sure there is enough slack in the jump net where the panel is placed to avoid stress on the netting. If you need to pass a feeding tube or tube for dead fish collection system through the netting, it must be attached to the frame/walkway with a rope as an added safety precaution.
You will need to make a checklist for the panel and include this in your routine inspections of the installation. The panel and system for passing components through the netting must also be inspected after unforeseen circumstances such as extreme weather or strong current.
Check that the panel is intact and not coming under strain or damage.
Check that the component passed through the netting is not coming under strain.
For any questions about installation, please contact Egersund Net.
Examples of such operations include:
You must follow the following general guidelines to reduce the risk of damage when handling the net:
Bead lines/ball lines are used to reduce the volume of a net, primarily for the purpose of harvesting, sorting or treating fish.
Bead lines/ball lines usually comprise multiple floats strung onto a rope. The bead line/ball line is dragged under the net until the volume has been sufficiently reduced.
Before carrying out the operation, the designated person responsible must ensure that all other participants follow the relevant guidelines and procedures prepared by the fish farmer. The bead line/ball line must be inspected before use, and any old rope ends must be removed. 
If any balls or floats are found to be damaged, these must first be removed.
Any loads from weights must be removed from the net before commencing the operation.
Additional equipment such as power cords or cleaner fish hides must be secured or removed.
The operation must be monitored when the bead line/ball line is in use. You must exercise extreme caution and fully minimise the risk of damage to the net, while also focusing on the welfare of the fish and HSE. Drag the bead line/ball line as carefully as possible and monitor that it does not get caught in the netting.
For more information about this equipment, please see yhe user manual for bead line/ball line.
You may need to change a net while it contains fish. This is primarily achieved by inserting the net net under the old one, or by stitching it to the existing net before dragging it into place in the pen.
Changing a net is a risky operation, and the designated person responsible must ensure that all other participants follow the relevant guidelines and procedures for changing a net prepared by the fish farmer, and must make sure that the necessary safety equipment is used. The net must not be handled/changed during weather and/or current conditions that involve a risk of injuring personnel or damaging equipment. Before changing the net, any extra equipment found in and around the net must be secured to prevent it from damaging the net. You must also remove the dead fish collection system and weights before performing the operation. 
A change of net must be monitored to ensure nothing happens that could result in fish escaping. Install the new net in the pen and then attach the dead fish collection system and weights. Inspect the net afterwards.
Exposed sites may face challenges such as drifting ice in the winter, and ice and snow on the jump net. You must be aware of this and find solutions that prevent strain or damage to the net.
Here are a few tips if ice gets on the jump net:
The net is designed so that the ropes absorb all loads.
Nevertheless, there are still some critical factors that could cause damage to a net:
Educating personnel who handle the nets and are responsible for the day-to-day monitoring will in many cases minimise the risk of accidents involving fish escaping.
Having your nets serviced is crucial for maintaining the best possible fish production. To ensure that your net has an optimal service life, it is important that it is checked regularly when it is at sea. You must establish procedures for monitoring the net while it is installed in a pen and holds fisk. The person in charge of monitoring the net must be familiar with the net and its size and shape, and have the requisite fish-farming experience to be able to identify any abnormal occurrences. All inspections and servicing must be logged.
The net itself does not usually have any parts that need to be serviced or replaced by the fish farmer. Fixed loops, reops and netting must only be changed by a certified service facility. Loose ropes, such as handling ropes, can be replaced by the fish farmer, provided they are properly attached at the intended points. Please contact one of Egersund Net`s service facilities if you are uncertain about what is permitted in terms of servicing and replacement of parts by the fish farmer.
All inspections and maintenance of a net must be logged.
The log must at a minimum describe:
If you discover any holes in the netting, you must initiate temporary repair work immediately. In the event of holes in the netting, you must make sure to use thread with sufficient strength. If you do not have thread available, you can use cable ties. Temporary repairs are not considered repairs under the provisions of Section 32 of the Nytek Regulations, which is why the work must be assessed by personnel with documented competence. Personnel from Egersund Net facilities can assist with this assessment, in addition to providing advice and guidance if needed.
Prinsiple for completing temporary repais, using thread:
Prinsiple for completing temporary repairs:
Double flag stitch
