Cages for raising cephalopods and sheets for preventing cephalopods from escaping, and their uses.

Abstract

The purpose of this invention is to provide a cage for raising cephalopods and a sheet material for preventing cephalopods from escaping, which keeps cephalopods alive and can also be used for the breeding, domestication, observation, transportation, and storage of cephalopods, while preventing them from escaping. A cage (10) for raising cephalopods, which keeps cephalopods alive, is constructed of at least a portion (side portion (1)) using a mesh sheet with a mesh size of 4 or more. A sheet material for preventing cephalopods from escaping, which keeps cephalopods alive, is constructed of at least a portion using a mesh sheet with a mesh size of 4 or more.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cage for raising cephalopods and a sheet for preventing cephalopods from escaping, and the use thereof, wherein the cephalopods can be kept alive. Background Technology

[0002] To ensure a stable food supply, various aquaculture techniques are being actively developed. However, despite the fact that cephalopods such as squid and octopus are already a part of the Japanese diet, their aquaculture techniques have not yet been established.

[0003] For example, it also points out the importance of the breeding environment when farming octopuses and proposes to utilize various structures of farmed octopuses (Patent Documents 1 and 2, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-6054

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-262488

[0008] Non-patent literature

[0009] Non-patent literature 1: Nobuhiko Akiyama (Faculty of Marine Science, Tokai University), “High-density octopus containment technology and current status of juvenile rearing,” Abstracts of the First Lecture of the Fisheries Society’s Fisheries Enhancement Symposium, 2010, pp. 7-8. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0011] As shown in patent documents 1 and 2, and non-patent document 1, studies on various structures utilizing octopuses demonstrate that the means of maintaining and managing octopuses in their living state are important when they are commercially utilized.

[0012] Taking aquaculture as an example, the following problems exist: Cephalopods, especially those with suckers like octopuses, can move freely along the walls of the culture tank using their suckers, making them prone to escaping. Furthermore, even with heavy covers over the tanks, farmed cephalopods can sometimes push the covers open, creating small gaps through which they can escape. Therefore, when conducting aquaculture or domestication to maintain cephalopod survival, the problem of escape remains.

[0013] The purpose of this invention is to provide a cage and sheet material to prevent cephalopods from escaping under the above-mentioned circumstances.

[0014] Technical solutions for solving the problem

[0015] In order to solve the above problems, the inventors conducted in-depth research and found that the following invention meets the above objectives, thus completing the present invention.

[0016] (1) A cage for raising cephalopods, which can keep cephalopods alive, wherein the cage for raising cephalopods is at least partially constructed of mesh sheet with a mesh size of 4 or more.

[0017] (2) According to (1), the cage for raising cephalopods, the portion of the cage above the water surface is at least partially constructed using the aforementioned mesh sheet.

[0018] (3) The mesh sheet used for raising cephalopods as described in (1) or (2) is 180 mesh or less.

[0019] (4) The cage for raising cephalopods described in any one of (1) to (3) contains a color that cephalopods dislike above the water surface and / or a color that cephalopods like below the water surface.

[0020] (5) The cage for raising cephalopods described in any one of (1) to (4) has a return section on the top side of the cage for raising cephalopods.

[0021] (6) The cage for raising cephalopods as described in (5), wherein the inferior angle between the side portion of the cage for raising cephalopods and the return portion is 170 degrees or less.

[0022] (7) The cage for raising cephalopods as described in (5) or (6) contains a color that cephalopods dislike.

[0023] (8) The height of the side portion of the cage for raising cephalopods as described in any one of (1) to (7) is more than twice the total length of the cephalopod.

[0024] (9) The cage used for raising cephalopods as described in any of (1) to (8), wherein the cephalopods are of the superfamily Octopus.

[0025] (10) According to (9) the above-mentioned cages for raising cephalopods, the above-mentioned superfamily Octopus is Octopusidae.

[0026] (11) According to the cages used for raising cephalopods described in (10), the above-mentioned octopus family is octopus.

[0027] (12) The cage used for raising cephalopods as described in any of (1) to (11), wherein the cephalopods are cephalopods after the benthic period.

[0028] (13) According to the cage used for raising cephalopods as described in (12), the individual weight of the aforementioned cephalopods is 10g or more.

[0029] (14) The cage for raising cephalopods described in any one of (1) to (13) is used for at least one purpose selected from the breeding, domestication, ornamental, transportation and storage of cephalopods.

[0030] (15) A sheet for preventing cephalopods from escaping, which can keep cephalopods alive, the sheet for preventing cephalopods from escaping is at least partially made of a mesh sheet with a mesh size of 4 or more.

[0031] (16) The mesh sheet described in (15) for preventing cephalopods from escaping is 180 mesh or less.

[0032] (17) The sheet for preventing cephalopods from escaping as described in (15) or (16) includes a color portion that cephalopods dislike.

[0033] (18) The sheet for preventing cephalopods from escaping as described in any of (15) to (17) has a height that is more than twice the total length of the cephalopod.

[0034] (19) The sheet used to prevent cephalopods from escaping, as described in any of (15) to (18), refers to the superfamily Octopus.

[0035] (20) According to the sheet material described in (19) for preventing cephalopods from escaping, the above-mentioned superfamily Octopus is Octopusidae.

[0036] (21) According to the sheet material described in (20) used to prevent cephalopods from escaping, the above-mentioned octopus family is octopus.

[0037] (22) The sheet used to prevent cephalopods from escaping, as described in any of (15) to (21), refers to cephalopods after the benthic period.

[0038] (23) According to the sheet material described in (22) for preventing cephalopods from escaping, the individual weight of the cephalopod is 10g or more.

[0039] (24) The sheet for preventing cephalopods from escaping as described in any one of (15) to (23), wherein the sheet for preventing cephalopods from escaping is used for at least one purpose selected from the breeding, domestication, ornamental, transportation and storage of cephalopods.

[0040] The cages used for raising cephalopods described in any of (25)(1) to (14) are used for raising cephalopods.

[0041] The sheet material described in any of (26)(15) to (24) is used to prevent cephalopods from escaping.

[0042] Invention Effects

[0043] The cage for raising cephalopods and the sheet for preventing cephalopods from escaping, according to the present invention, can suppress the escape of cephalopods, stably maintain them in a state of survival, and manage them. Attached Figure Description

[0044] Figure 1 This is an illustration of an octopus used to demonstrate an example of measuring the total length of a cephalopod.

[0045] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the cage according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a cage according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the mesh sheet used in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0048] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to examples, but the invention is not limited to the examples shown below, and may be modified and implemented in any way without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, in this specification, "A to B" refers to terms used to encompass the numerical or physical quantities preceding or following them.

[0049] The cage for raising cephalopods according to the present invention can maintain the cephalopods in a state of survival. Its characteristic is that at least a portion of the cage is constructed using a mesh sheet with a mesh size of 4 or more. The cage for raising cephalopods according to the present invention can prevent the cephalopods inside from escaping. It should be noted that the cage for raising cephalopods according to the present invention will sometimes be simply referred to as "the cage of the present invention".

[0050] The sheet material of the present invention for preventing cephalopods from escaping can keep cephalopods alive. Its characteristic is that at least a portion of the sheet material is constructed using a mesh of 4 mesh or more. By placing the sheet material of the present invention in a location designed to prevent cephalopod escape, escape can be prevented.

[0051] When handling cephalopods in their living state, they sometimes escape by using their suckers to climb over the walls of the enclosure. However, the inventors have discovered that when using the cage of the present invention or the sheet material of the present invention for preventing cephalopod escape, the mesh sheet material prevents the cephalopods' suckers from attaching and climbing, thus preventing them from escaping. Even without suckers, cephalopods can move by using their feet through the gaps in the mesh sheet when the mesh size is less than 4 meshes.

[0052] In this invention, a "cage for raising cephalopods" is a container for holding cephalopods, which can maintain and manage cephalopods, and is composed of all or part of a mesh sheet.

[0053] In this invention, "sheet for preventing cephalopods from escaping" is a sheet used to maintain and manage cephalopods in a state of survival, and is specifically designed to prevent cephalopods from escaping.

[0054] Both the cage for raising cephalopods and the sheet for preventing cephalopods from escaping, according to the present invention, are constructed using mesh sheet material. The sheet material for preventing escape can be sheet-like, grid-like, or dome-shaped, and the cage for raising cephalopods can be a cage-like container.

[0055] The cage for raising cephalopods of the present invention, and the sheet material for preventing cephalopods from escaping of the present invention, can be used for, for example, the breeding, domestication, display, transportation and storage of cephalopods.

[0056] [Mesh Sheet]

[0057] The cage for raising cephalopods according to the present invention is constructed by using a mesh sheet with a mesh size of 4 or more in at least a portion of the cage. Furthermore, the sheet used to prevent cephalopods from escaping according to the present invention is constructed by using a mesh sheet with a mesh size of 4 or more. This "mesh sheet" is a mesh component whose entire sheet has multiple gaps formed based on a mesh structure or roll structure. As for such a mesh sheet, as long as it is resistant to water or seawater and its shape and physical properties do not change significantly during use even after immersion, it can be any type. For example, it can use fabric components such as woven fabric, netting, or lace, or a porous body with micropores formed on the entire surface of the sheet, or a mesh structure or woven structure made of various materials such as metal.

[0058] Here, "fabric-like body" refers to a planar component constructed using fibers themselves or threads made of fibers. The structure of this fabric-like body can also use woven fabric made of fibers or threads, woven woven products, ribbons combined into ribbons, lace wrapped into lace, nets made by combining threads into a mesh and connecting them to each other, or cloth arranged in a cross shape to bond the intersections of the fibers or threads.

[0059] The fibers used in this fabric can also be fine threads. The fabric can be constructed directly using these fibers, or untwisted threads such as twisted yarns, monofilaments, or multifilaments can be used. Furthermore, threads of any shape, such as monofilaments, can be used, in addition to round threads with a roughly circular cross-section. The thickness of these fibers or threads can be arbitrary within the range necessary to achieve the purpose of this invention; however, if they are too thick, the suction cup may sometimes be unable to hold them in place. Therefore, the thickness or width of the thickest part of the fiber or thread can be less than 1 mm, or less than 0.8 mm, 0.6 mm, or 0.4 mm.

[0060] These fibers can be either organic or inorganic. Organic fibers include natural fibers and chemical fibers. Examples of natural fibers include plant fibers such as cotton and linen, and animal fibers such as wool and silk. Examples of chemical fibers include regenerated fibers such as rayon and cupro, semi-synthetic fibers such as acetate fibers, and various synthetic resin fibers such as polyamide, polyester, and acrylic fibers. As mentioned above, these fibers can be used directly as fibers or appropriately shaped into yarns. Furthermore, these fibers can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0061] As a fabric, when used in weaving, the fabric structure can be any of various weaves such as plain weave, twill weave, or satin weave. Furthermore, when used as a structure for other fabrics such as woven goods, ribbons, lace, nets, or cloth, the fabric structure can be any structure as long as its mesh count is within the specified range.

[0062] Porous bodies can also be used as mesh sheets. Examples of porous bodies include porous bodies formed by creating numerous pores in a film or membrane, such as an extension method that forms a structure by connecting linear portions of a polymer film or similar material that are stretched and finely stretched in the crystalline portion, a phase separation method that precipitates a solid polymer from a liquid polymer or its solution, and a track etching method that applies damage to the lines by radiation and opens pores by chemical etching.

[0063] In mesh sheets, various raw materials such as metal can be used to form mesh structures or woven structures. Examples of mesh sheets include so-called metal meshes, which are made by arranging wire-like metal into a woven or mesh-like pattern. The concept also includes components that have gaps equivalent to the mesh openings, achieved through metal stamping.

[0064] The mesh sheet used in this invention has a mesh size of 4 mesh or more. The mesh size of the mesh sheet can also be appropriately selected according to the type of cephalopod. This "mesh size" refers to the number of mesh openings formed per inch by coaxial fibers or threads. The lower limit for the mesh size can be 4 mesh or more, 5 mesh or more, 10 mesh or more, 18 mesh or more, or 20 mesh or more. If the mesh size is smaller, as partially described above, cephalopods may insert their feet into the gaps in the mesh sheet to move. The higher the mesh size, the more suitable the cage can be for a wide range of cephalopods. In particular, for use with cephalopods of the superfamily Octopus, a mesh size of 10 mesh or more is preferred.

[0065] The mesh sheet used in this invention is preferably 180 mesh or less. The upper limit for the mesh count can be 165 mesh or less, 150 mesh or less, 120 mesh or less, 100 mesh or less, 70 mesh or less, or 50 mesh or less. If the mesh count is too high, because the gaps in the mesh sheet are small, the liquid in the trough containing the cage cannot fully pass through the mesh sheet, easily contaminating the environment inside the cage.

[0066] The mesh sheet used in this invention is preferably designed with each axis having a mesh count within this range. The size of the gaps and the thickness of the wires at this mesh count are suitable for the mesh sheet of this invention. Furthermore, it is easy to obtain mesh sheets suitable for preventing cephalopods from escaping, suitable for cage sizes, etc., and it is easy to configure a structure with highly uniform overall porosity.

[0067] Regarding the mesh sheet used in this invention, the mesh size corresponding to the mesh number will be explained. This mesh size is the width of the square between the intersecting fibers / lines in a biaxially oriented fabric structure, and is defined as the mesh size in the longer direction when both the length and width directions are present. Furthermore, in cases where it is difficult to determine the mesh size based on the intersection of biaxial lines (fibers) in structures such as woven fabrics, ribbons, lace, and nets, the maximum length of the gaps between the lines forming the fabric is used as the mesh size. Additionally, in the case of porous materials, the maximum aperture of the pore size is used as the mesh size.

[0068] The mesh size of the mesh sheet can be less than 5mm, less than 4mm, less than 3mm, less than 2mm, or less than 1mm. On the other hand, the lower limit of the mesh size of the mesh sheet can be more than 0.10mm, more than 0.15mm, more than 0.20mm, more than 0.25mm, more than 0.30mm, more than 0.35mm, or more than 0.40mm.

[0069] [Preparation of the sheet material to prevent cephalopods from escaping]

[0070] The sheet material for preventing cephalopods from escaping according to the present invention can be arranged in a planar shape in the direction in which the escape of cephalopods is to be prevented, arranged in a grid-like shape at the opening of the water tank into which the cephalopods are placed, or arranged in a dome shape covering the opening of the water tank. Furthermore, the sheet material for preventing cephalopods from escaping can be easily installed by providing mounting components for suspending or fixing it around a mesh sheet, or by providing highly rigid sheets, straps, ropes, or frames around the edges of the mesh sheet to easily stabilize its shape.

[0071] At least a portion of the sheet for preventing cephalopod escape according to the present invention uses a mesh sheet. The portion using the mesh sheet can be any size within the range capable of preventing cephalopod escape. For example, the portion using the mesh sheet can be 10% or more, 30% or more, 50% or more, 70% or more, 90% or more, or 95% or more of the surface area of ​​the sheet for preventing escape according to the present invention; the entire sheet for preventing escape can also use the mesh sheet. Furthermore, the shape of the portion using the mesh sheet can be any shape, but it can also be planar, spindle-shaped, or dome-shaped, or a combination thereof.

[0072] Furthermore, the sheet used to prevent escape in this invention allows for easy water exchange, enabling cephalopods to survive. It should be noted that other portions of the mesh sheet used in this invention can be arbitrary, but the sheet used to prevent escape in this invention can be a structure that makes it difficult for cephalopods to escape, such as a mesh sheet of other mesh sizes that cephalopods cannot pass through, or a waterproof sheet that makes it difficult for liquids to pass through.

[0073] [The shape of the cage]

[0074] The cage shape of the present invention is selected from any shape that functions as a cage for raising cephalopods. Examples include cylindrical, prismatic, conical, frustum-shaped, spherical, and ellipsoidal shapes, which contain expanded or convex portions, or constricted or concave portions, and combinations thereof. The conical shape refers to a three-dimensional shape formed by straight lines extending radially from a single point. Examples include a cone or a pyramid. The frustum-shaped shape refers to a three-dimensional shape formed by removing a shared vertex from a cone and reducing its size. Examples include a frustum-shaped cone and a frustum-shaped pyramid.

[0075] At least a portion of a cage of this shape is constructed using a mesh sheet. The portion using the mesh sheet significantly restricts the movement of cephalopods, preventing them from escaping the cage.

[0076] The portion of the cage in this invention incorporating the mesh sheet used in this invention can be of any range within the area preventing cephalopods from escaping. For example, the portion incorporating the mesh sheet can be 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 90% or more of the surface area of ​​the cage, and the entire surface area of ​​the cage can be made of the mesh sheet. Furthermore, the shape of the portion incorporating the mesh sheet can be arbitrary; it can be any face of the cage, or any polygonal shape, spherical shape, etc., of that face, or it can be located on multiple adjacent faces, or on multiple separate faces.

[0077] The cage of the present invention can have an open opening such as a top surface, or it can be designed to be closed. When designed to be closed, it is preferable to provide an opening that can be opened and closed freely for feeding, etc. The opening that can be opened and closed freely can be made using point connectors, line connectors, surface connectors, or, as needed, threaded or sliding covers.

[0078] "The part of the cage above the water surface"

[0079] In this invention, the "part above the water surface" of the cage refers to the portion above the water surface when using a cage for raising cephalopods. Preferably, at least a portion of the "part above the water surface" of the cage in this invention is constructed using a mesh sheet. In the "part above the water surface" of the cage in this invention, the innermost layer or the like is made of a mesh sheet to restrict the movement of the cephalopods using this portion of the cage as a foothold.

[0080] In the cage of the present invention, it is preferable to use a mesh sheet with a mesh size of 4 or more throughout the entire circumference of at least any height of the portion of the cage above the water surface. By using such a mesh sheet throughout the entire circumference of the portion of the cage above the water surface, cephalopods find it difficult to move from any direction of the portion of the cage above the water surface, thus reducing the possibility of escape. This mesh size can also be provided on the entire side surface. In the present invention, the side surface of the cage refers to the circumference of the cage relative to its height, excluding the bottom and top surfaces of the cage, which are three-dimensional structures.

[0081] Multiple layers of mesh sheets can be overlapped on the portion of the cage above the water surface. Additionally, the outer perimeter of this portion can be covered with other materials, such as materials for adjusting color or strength.

[0082] The portion of the cage above the water surface of the present invention may include an opening for feeding. Furthermore, the portion of the cage below the water surface of the present invention may be a structure made of any material, or a structure made of the same mesh sheet as the sheet used for the portion above the water surface.

[0083] When using the cage of the present invention, the cage is placed in a tank filled with seawater or the like, and used while a certain portion of the cage is immersed in the seawater or the like. Cephalopods are kept in their habitat, primarily in the seawater within the tank. To escape from the tank to the outside, the cephalopods move to the portion of the cage above the water surface. Therefore, by using the mesh sheet of the cage according to the present invention, the cephalopods cannot move from the portion of the cage above the water surface.

[0084] The cage of the present invention can also be a cage in which the mesh size is changed in stages according to the height above the water surface. For example, the part of the cage below the water surface may have fewer meshes, while the part above the water surface may have more meshes, or vice versa. With such a structure, even if there are individual differences in size among the multiple cephalopods placed in the cage, it will be difficult for them to climb the mesh sheet with any mesh size.

[0085] When using the cage of the present invention, a portion of the part of the cage above the water surface can be appropriately suspended, or a core wire component can be configured on the part of the cage that becomes the edge and its shape can be adjusted for use.

[0086] [The part of the cage below the water surface]

[0087] The "water-bottom portion" of the cage of the present invention refers to the portion below the water surface when used in a cage for raising cephalopods. Cephalopods breed in this cage, and food can be supplied through the cage's opening. Furthermore, cephalopod excrement or food residue tends to settle into the water-bottom portion of the cage. If these substances accumulate inside the cage, they will pollute the environment. Therefore, it is preferable that the bottom of the cage has a gap of 4 meshes or less to facilitate the drainage of excrement and the like.

[0088] [The return section of the cage]

[0089] The cage of the present invention preferably has a return section. The "return section" of the cage of the present invention is a portion that connects to the upper end of the side portion of the cage at the opening side and is inclined inwards towards the inside of the cage, extending from each side of the upper end of the side portion, and is a portion that narrows towards the upper part of the cage. The inferior angle formed by the return section and the side portion is preferably 170 degrees or less. This angle is a value measured when the cage is stretched. The return section is connected to the side portion in a manner that is inclined inwards towards the inside of the cage relative to the vertical direction, and the inferior angle formed by the side portion and the return section is preferably 170 degrees or less. This angle can be 160 degrees or less, 150 degrees or less, 140 degrees or less, 130 degrees or less, or 120 degrees or less. Furthermore, as long as it functions as a return section, the lower limit of this angle is not limited, but from the viewpoint of ease of installation, it can also be 60 degrees or more, 70 degrees or more, 80 degrees or more, or 90 degrees or more.

[0090] The return section is designed as a frustum-shaped cone with a narrower diameter at the upper end of the cage, and the upper surface can be open. Alternatively, the upper surface of the frustum-shaped cone can be closed. Alternatively, the return section can be closed into a cone shape with the upper end of the cage as the apex. Because cephalopods attempting to escape from the cage are deflected back towards the bottom of the cage at this return section, escape is prevented.

[0091] [color]

[0092] The portion of the cage above the water surface of the present invention preferably includes a portion of a color disliked by cephalopods. The side portion of the cage of the present invention preferably includes a portion of a color disliked by cephalopods. The upper side, i.e., the top surface or the return portion of the cage of the present invention is also preferably a color disliked by cephalopods. For example, the portion of the color disliked by cephalopods can preferably be 10% or more, 30% or more, 50% or more, 70% or more, or 90% or more of the surface area of ​​that color, and the entire portion can also be that color. It is particularly preferred that the side portion includes a portion of a color disliked by cephalopods on the top surface side of the cage.

[0093] The "color disliked by cephalopods" is a high-brightness color, specifically white or light gray classified under the brightness level of the PCCS (Practical Color Coordinate System). Furthermore, yellow, orange, or similar shades are preferred as this color. In particular, the portion of the cage above the water surface, the side portions, the top surface of the cage, and the return portion of the invention are more preferably a high-brightness white. As described above, when cephalopods escape from the cage, they move from the side portions and escape through the opening on the top surface. If the direction of escape is set to a bright color, the cephalopods will avoid that direction, making escape difficult. Therefore, the portion of the cage above the water surface, the side portions, the top surface of the cage, and the return portion are preferably bright colors.

[0094] In particular, the portion of the cage above the water surface is unavoidable for cephalopods when attempting to escape. Therefore, designing this portion to include a color that cephalopods dislike is effective in preventing escape. A color can be identified as disliked by cephalopods by observing how little time they spend in the same environment under similar conditions.

[0095] The sheet material of the present invention for preventing cephalopods from escaping preferably includes a color portion that cephalopods dislike, and more preferably a bright white. By making the sheet material of the present invention for preventing cephalopods from escaping this color, cephalopods will avoid the direction in which the sheet material is disposed, making it difficult for them to escape.

[0096] Colors that this cephalopod dislikes can be white, pale blue, light blue, bright blue, or light gray tones. Within these tones, hues can include orange, yellow, and yellowish-green. High-brightness white is particularly suitable.

[0097] The portion of the cage above the water surface of the present invention preferably includes a portion of a color preferred by cephalopods. The bottom of the cage of the present invention preferably includes a portion of a color preferred by cephalopods. As this portion of a color preferred by cephalopods, for example, it can be 10% or more, 30% or more, 50% or more, 70% or more, or 90% or more of the surface area of ​​the portion of that color, and this portion can be entirely of that color.

[0098] The aforementioned "colors preferred by cephalopods" are low-brightness colors, specifically dark gray or black colors classified under the PCCS brightness level. Blue or bluish-violet hues are preferred as this hue. Cephalopods, especially octopuses, are also considered to dislike bright colors and instead tend to move towards darker colors. In maintaining cephalopods in cages using this invention, since cephalopods prefer the bottom side, the likelihood of escape is low. Therefore, it is preferable to make the portion of the cage above the water surface or the bottom dark-colored. Black, dark gray, and dark colors are preferred as this dark color; within these colors, blue, purple, and red can also be used as hues. Alternatively, black can also be used. By observing whether a color is preferred by cephalopods when exposed to the same conditions in their environment, the cephalopods spend more time in that color, thus preventing escape. By designing a structure that includes the preferred color in the portion below the water surface, a longer stay time of the cephalopods below the water surface is ensured, thereby preventing escape from the cage.

[0099] The colors of the portion of the cage above the water surface, the portion below the water surface, the sides, the top surface, and the bottom of the cage of the present invention can also be the color of the mesh sheet used in each portion. Furthermore, the colors of the sheet used to prevent cephalopods from escaping in the present invention can also be the color of the mesh sheet used in that sheet. Alternatively, the structure surrounding these mesh sheets can be made of other materials, with the overall color being either light or dark, depending on the color of the surrounding material.

[0100] The height of the side portion of the cage of the present invention is preferably more than twice the total length of the cephalopod placed inside the cage for raising cephalopods. Furthermore, the height of the sheet material of the present invention for preventing cephalopod escape is preferably more than twice the total length of the cephalopod placed inside the cage for raising cephalopods.

[0101] In this invention, the "total length" of a cephalopod is the straight-line distance from the anterior end of the mantle to the anterior end of the longest foot. For more information on the total length of a cephalopod, refer to... Figure 1Let's take an octopus as an example. The total length of an octopus (6) is the straight-line distance L from the front end (61) of its mantle to the front end (62) of its longest foot. Cephalopods can grasp the parts that become footholds within the reach of their feet, allowing them to move their entire body. To prevent escape from the cage, the height of the side of the cage is set to be more than twice the total length of the cephalopod beforehand.

[0102] The lower limit of this height can be 2.5 times, 3 times, 4 times, or 5 times the total length of the cephalopod. There is no specific limit to the upper limit of the height, but it can be less than 100 times the total length of the cephalopod. The upper limit of this height can be less than 90 times, 80 times, 70 times, 60 times, or 50 times the total length of the cephalopod.

[0103] When using the cage of the present invention, the cage can be placed inside a trough. Since cephalopods prefer hiding places, structures can also be further arranged inside the cage for use. These structures can be multiple areas provided by means of octopus-catching pottery jars, cylindrical or square pillars with openings and hollow parts, partitions, etc.

[0104] Cephalopods

[0105] The "cephalopods" that are the subject of this invention belong to the class Cephalopoda within the phylum Mollusca. This invention can be applied to all cephalopods that are farmed or raised. Specific examples include the long-spined squid, the burbot, the golden squid, the octopus, the giant octopus of the North Pacific, and the Maya octopus (Octopus maya).

[0106] The cephalopods targeted by this invention are preferably from the superfamily Octopus, more preferably from the family Octopidae, and particularly preferably octopus. In particular, octopus is an aquatic organism consumed in Japan and other countries where there is a strong desire to establish complete aquaculture techniques. The cages used in this invention are highly suitable for the complete aquaculture of octopus.

[0107] The cephalopod rearing period, which is the object of this invention, can be any life stage. Preferably, it is used for rearing cephalopods after their benthic stage. More preferably, it is used for rearing cephalopods after their benthic life stage. Regarding the size of the cephalopods, which are the object of this invention, the individual weight is 10g or more, and can be cephalopods weighing 20g or more, 30g or more, 50g or more, 70g or more, 100g or more, 200g or more, 250g or more, 300g or more, 500g or more, 1kg or more, 1.5kg or more, 2kg or more, 2.5kg or more, or 3kg or more.

[0108] The cage and the sheet for preventing cephalopod escape of the present invention can be used in at least one of the following methods: breeding, domestication, display, transportation, and storage of cephalopods. The cage and the sheet for preventing cephalopod escape of the present invention can be used for raising cephalopods and preventing them from escaping. Furthermore, it can be used for breeding methods using the cage of the present invention and for preventing cephalopod escape using the sheet for preventing cephalopod escape of the present invention. In particular, it can be used as a center during breeding. The cage and the sheet for preventing cephalopod escape of the present invention can be designed in size according to their respective uses. Their specific size can be designed based on the size of the tanks and containers used in conventional applications.

[0109] When octopuses are kept in cages using the cages of this invention, they often exhibit aggression towards other individuals due to their territorial instincts. However, even when multiple octopuses are kept in the cages of this invention, self-harm and harm to others by the octopuses are almost nonexistent.

[0110] [First Implementation Method]

[0111] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating the first embodiment of the cage according to the present invention. Figure 2 This refers to a cylindrical cage 10. The cage 10 is constructed with a mesh fabric with a mesh size of 4 or more on the side surface 1, and an opening 3 on the top surface. The bottom 2 is constructed with a mesh fabric with a larger mesh size than the side surface 1, resulting in gaps smaller than 4 meshes. Inside the cage 10, cephalopods can be kept alive.

[0112] [Second Implementation]

[0113] Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the cage according to the present invention. Figure 3 This refers to the cage 11 on the top surface of the side portion 1, which has a return section 4 mounted on a square post. Both the side portion 1 and the return section 4 on the top surface are constructed using the same mesh fabric. The upper end of the return section 4 of the cage 11 is not closed, and the top surface has an opening 3, facilitating the addition of feed. Similar to the first embodiment, the bottom 2 has a gap of less than 4 meshes. In this second embodiment, the shape of the cage is adjusted by fixing the upper ends of the side portion 1 and the return section 4 to the wall of the breeding trough along the extension direction of each strap (arrow direction W in the figure) using straps 5. At this time, the degree of return of the return section can be designed based on the shape during use, according to the inferior angle θ1 formed by the angle between the side portion 1 and the return section 4. Inside the cage 11, cephalopods can be kept alive.

[0114] Figure 4This diagram illustrates an example of a mesh sheet that can be used in the side portion of a cage, etc., according to the present invention. This mesh sheet is a fabric with warp and weft threads arranged in orthogonal directions, and is bonded and fixed by fusing the intersecting portions of the threads. In this fabric, the distance s between the threads can also be used as the size of the gap (mesh size). Furthermore, each thread is a thread with a thickness d.

[0115] Example

[0116] The present invention will be further described in detail below through embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0117] by Figure 3 Based on the second embodiment shown, a cage (A) is manufactured according to the following structure.

[0118] Side sections: The cage is made of 50-mesh polyethylene fabric (white) with square column-shaped side sections that are 65cm wide and 70cm high.

[0119] Bottom: Made of polyethylene fabric with triangular mesh, with a square columnar bottom surface.

[0120] Return section: The return section is made using the same fabric as the side section. The return section is designed to be 20cm long, and when suspended and stretched, the angle formed between the return section and the side section is a minor angle (...). Figure 3 θ1) is 160 degrees.

[0121] [Experimental Methods]

[0122] Experimental fish: 7 individuals of octopus ranging from 500g to 2kg.

[0123] Example 1 (Cage): The above-mentioned cage (A) was placed in a 500L water tank and 300L of seawater was stored in the test area to check whether any octopuses escaped. During the experiment, water was added at a rate of 5-6L / minute, and the escape was observed after 1 hour, 2 hours, and 24 hours.

[0124] Comparative Example 1 (Tank): Based on Example 1, four individual octopuses were placed in a tank storing seawater without using a cage (A) to check for any escapes.

[0125] [Experimental Results]

[0126] In Comparative Example 1, two octopuses escaped from the tank 0-1 hours after being placed inside, and one escaped from the tank 1-2 hours later. Furthermore, the last octopus escaped after 24 hours, ending the experiment.

[0127] On the other hand, in the test area of ​​Example 1, no escaped individuals were observed after 24 hours.

[0128] [Table 1]

[0129]

[0130] Industrial availability

[0131] The cages for raising cephalopods and the sheet material for preventing cephalopod escape of the present invention can be used to maintain cephalopods in a living state, and are suitable for breeding, domestication, display, transportation, and storage of cephalopods. The cages for raising cephalopods and the sheet material for preventing cephalopod escape of the present invention facilitate the maintenance and management of cephalopods, and are of industrial use.

[0132] Symbol Explanation

[0133] 1. Side profile

[0134] 10 and 11 cages

[0135] 2. Bottom

[0136] 3. Opening

[0137] 4 Return Section

[0138] 5. Suspenders

[0139] 6 Octopus

[0140] 61. Front end of the mantle

[0141] 62. Forehead of the foot

Claims

1. A cage for rearing a cephalopod, characterized by, This allows cephalopods to survive. The cages used for raising cephalopods are constructed with an open top and sides made entirely of mesh sheets with a mesh size of 4 or higher. The portion of the cage used for raising cephalopods above the water surface is at least partially constructed using the aforementioned mesh sheet. The height of the side portion of the cage used for raising cephalopods is more than twice the total length of the cephalopod. The bottom of the cage used for raising cephalopods has a gap of 4 meshes or less.

2. The cage for raising cephalopods according to claim 1, wherein, The mesh sheet is 180 mesh or less.

3. The cage for raising cephalopods according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The portion of the cage used for raising cephalopods above the water surface contains colors that cephalopods dislike and / or the portion of the cage used for raising cephalopods below the water surface contains colors that cephalopods like.

4. The cage for raising cephalopods according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The top side of the cage used for raising cephalopods has a return section.

5. The cage for raising cephalopods according to claim 4, wherein, The inferior angle formed by the side portion of the cage used for raising cephalopods and the return portion is less than 170 degrees.

6. The cage for raising cephalopods according to claim 4, wherein, The return section contains colors that cephalopods dislike.

7. The cage for raising cephalopods according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The cephalopods mentioned belong to the superfamily Octopus.

8. The cage for raising cephalopods according to claim 7, wherein, The superfamily Octopus is the family Octopidae.

9. The cage for raising cephalopods according to claim 8, wherein, The family Octopidae mentioned refers to octopuses.

10. The cage for raising cephalopods according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The cephalopods mentioned refer to those that have completed their benthic period.

11. The cage for raising cephalopods according to claim 10, wherein, The cephalopods mentioned above weigh more than 10g.

12. The cage for raising cephalopods according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The cages used for raising cephalopods are intended for at least one purpose selected from the breeding, domestication, display, transportation, and storage of cephalopods.

13. The cage for raising cephalopods according to any one of claims 1 to 12, for the purpose of raising cephalopods.

Images