System and method for clam farming

Abstract

A system and method for clam farming includes a supply ship coupled to a clam planter via a supply tube bundle having a plurality of individual tubes. The supply ship has a separation station configured for introducing individual clams into the individual supply tubes at a periodic interval. The clam planter includes an underwater vehicle and a plurality of row components that are slideably engaged with the underwater vehicle. Each of the row components is coupled to one of the individual tubes. As the underwater vehicle travels in a forward direction, the row components plow furrows and transport the individual clams into the furrows as they exit the individual tubes according to the periodic interval. A clam farm results having rows of clams near node points spaced from one another by node and row separation distances.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The invention relates, in general, to aquaculture production of seafood, and, in particular, to systems and methods for clam farming. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Conventional clam farming experiences relatively high mortality rates during the clam growth period generally lasting many months or years for clams to grow to marketable size from seed stock. In an attempt to counter the mortality issue of the growth period, conventional clam farmers plant clams in relatively high densities. Unfortunately, this high density planting can increase expenditures for the initial seed stock. Also, with high planting densities, mortality rates during harvest are increased because as some clams are dug up, their closely packed neighbors are accidentally destroyed. Furthermore, mortality during the growth period typically has a less than uniform distribution with possible results including areas with few or no c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] Some embodiments include a clam farm below the surface of a body of water having a mean high tide level. The clam farm includes a plurality of clams arranged in rows. The rows are separated from each other by substantially a row separation distance. Each row has node points being separated from one another by a node separation distance. Each clam is buried substantially at a predetermined depth bel

Problems solved by technology

Conventional clam farming experiences relatively high mortality rates during the clam growth period generally lasting many months or years for clams to grow to marketable size from seed stock.

Unfortunately, this high density planting can increase expenditures for the initial seed stock.

Also, with high planting densities, mortality rates during harvest are increased because as some clams are dug up, their closely packed neighbors are accidentally destroyed.

Furthermore, mortality during the growth period typically has a less than uniform distribution with possible results including areas with few or no clam populations and other areas having overly dense populations of poorly formed and stunted clams adversely impacting production efficiencies.

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