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Fish cages and rafts are specialist assets used by fisheries and sporting estates involved in controlled fish rearing, stock management and water-based operations. Whether supporting stillwater fisheries, river enhancement projects or larger water bodies, these systems allow fisheries to manage fish stocks effectively while protecting welfare and improving survival rates.
Cages and rafts are typically installed as part of long-term operational or conservation strategies. They must be durable, compliant and suited to challenging aquatic environments. The cost of purchasing, installing and maintaining these systems can be significant, particularly where multiple units or bespoke designs are required. Specialist finance allows fisheries to invest in appropriate infrastructure while spreading costs sensibly over time.
Gable Business Finance specialises in arranging finance for fish cages and rafts, ensuring funding reflects biological cycles, asset lifespan and seasonal income patterns.
Fish cages and rafts are used to manage fish stocks safely and efficiently at different stages of development. They are particularly valuable where controlled environments are required within natural water bodies.
These systems are commonly used to:
Hold fish during acclimatisation periods
Protect juvenile stock from predation
Support controlled feeding and monitoring
Improve survival rates before release
Assist with grading and stock management
Support conservation and restocking programmes
For many fisheries, cages and rafts are essential tools that support long-term stock quality and sustainability.
Fisheries invest in different cage and raft systems depending on species, water conditions and operational scale.
Floating cages are commonly used in lakes, reservoirs and large stillwaters. They allow fish to be held securely while benefiting from natural water flow and oxygenation.
Fixed cage systems are often used in sheltered waters or rivers where stability is essential. These systems are designed to withstand varying water levels and flow conditions.
Rafts support multiple cages or rearing units and provide access platforms for feeding, monitoring and maintenance.
Some fisheries require bespoke cage and raft designs tailored to specific species, water depth or environmental constraints.
Each system represents a specialist investment that must perform reliably in demanding conditions.
Fish cages and rafts are not off-the-shelf assets for most lenders. Their value lies in their role within fisheries operations rather than simple resale value.
Specialist finance allows fisheries to:
Spread costs over the working life of the system
Preserve cash for feed, staffing and maintenance
Invest in high-quality, durable infrastructure
Align repayments with seasonal income and stocking cycles
Gable Business Finance understands the operational importance of these systems and structures finance accordingly.
Hire Purchase is commonly used where fisheries want long-term ownership of cages and rafts.
It allows immediate installation of essential infrastructure while spreading the cost over an agreed term. Repayments can be structured to reflect seasonal income, which is particularly important for fisheries with income linked to angling seasons or restocking contracts.
Key benefits of hire purchase include:
Ownership of the assets at the end of the term
Fixed or variable repayment options
Interest payments typically tax deductible
Potential capital allowances on qualifying assets
VAT often reclaimable upfront on the full purchase price
Hire purchase is well suited to permanent or long-term cage and raft systems.
Finance leasing provides flexibility where cage systems may be expanded, reconfigured or upgraded over time.
Under a finance lease, the business pays rentals for the use of the equipment. Rentals can be matched to cash flow and are often aligned with depreciation. VAT is payable on the rentals rather than the full purchase cost.
Finance leases are commonly used for:
Modular cage systems
Temporary or seasonal installations
Supplementary capacity during peak periods
This approach allows fisheries to adapt infrastructure without tying up capital.
Some fisheries already own cages, rafts or related infrastructure outright. Asset refinance allows capital to be released against these assets while they continue to be used as normal.
Released funds can be used to:
Expand cage capacity
Upgrade materials or mooring systems
Support seasonal working capital
Fund wider fisheries improvements
Asset refinance improves liquidity without disrupting operations.
Where cage and raft investment forms part of a wider fisheries development or conservation programme, unsecured term loans can provide additional funding.
These loans typically range from £10,000 to £500,000, with repayment terms of 3 to 6 years, and can be used to fund:
Large-scale cage installations
Integrated rearing and monitoring systems
Environmental and conservation projects
Associated installation and project costs
Unsecured loans can be combined with asset finance for a joined-up funding solution.
Fish held in cages often require care and monitoring well before income is generated. Funding must therefore be structured to avoid pressure during early stages.
Gable Business Finance structures repayments to reflect:
Stocking and release cycles
Seasonal angling income
Long-term stock management plans
This ensures finance supports sustainable fisheries management rather than short-term strain.
Gable Business Finance specialises in rural and fisheries finance. We understand how fish cages and rafts support stock welfare, conservation objectives and commercial success.
By working with lenders experienced in specialist asset finance, we arrange funding solutions that reflect the realities of aquatic operations rather than generic manufacturing assumptions.
Fish cages and rafts are critical investments in effective fisheries management and long-term stock sustainability. The right finance structure allows you to invest confidently while preserving cash flow.
Speak to Gable Business Finance today to discuss finance for fish cages and rafts tailored specifically for fisheries, sporting estates and game businesses. Our specialist approach ensures funding works alongside biological cycles and seasonal income.