Apparatus and method for marinating tuna at sea

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of offshore temporary culture tuna device and method, solve the existing sea catch tuna with ship temporary culture exists and is small, water flow velocity is limited, tuna activity is easily injured.The device is in the fish pool inside by side and is separated with long strip-shaped water inlet pool, the side of water inlet pool is arranged with several stay warehouses, the front mesh baffle of the stay warehouse is towards the front end of water inlet pool, the rear end of the stay warehouse is arranged with the mesh door plate that can be opened and closed, one end of the water inlet pool is provided with water pump, water is pumped from the fish pool to the water inlet pool, one end of the water inlet pool is also provided with air pump, the pool wall plate lower part of the water inlet pool side towards stay warehouse is provided with aeration device, air pipe is arranged between the air pump and aeration device.The present application reduces the impact damage generated by tuna movement, and through the way of excess aeration, using oxygen supersaturated water flow directly impact the head of tuna, can satisfy the breathing needs of tuna with lower water flow velocity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of marine fisheries and relates to an apparatus and method for temporarily holding tuna at sea. Background Technology

[0002] Tuna are a high-value marine fish. Lacking gill muscles, they cannot perform "cavitation respiration" like other fish by actively swallowing seawater. Instead, they breathe by opening their mouths and relying on the natural flow of water during swimming to enter their oral cavity and pass through their gills for gas exchange. This method of respiration is called "ram breathing" or "forced water respiration." Studies have shown that in their natural marine environment, tuna need to maintain a swimming speed of over 30 km / h (i.e., a relative water flow speed of over 8.3 m / s) to generate sufficient water flow to their gills to meet their oxygen requirements. This unique physiological characteristic presents significant technical challenges for the temporary holding of tuna on ships.

[0003] Currently, global tuna resources are facing severe pressure. Bluefin tuna stocks have decreased by more than 90% since the beginning of the fishing season, and some tuna populations are still suffering from overfishing. Against this backdrop, keeping wild-caught tuna alive and transferring them to indoor or cage environments for artificial breeding research is of significant practical importance for protecting wild tuna resources. Currently, some fishing vessels raise live tuna on board after catching them, transferring them to ports for further processing. This requires setting up large rearing tanks on board, using water pumps to circulate and aerate the water, maintaining high flow rates and high dissolved oxygen levels. However, tuna still swim rapidly within the tanks, and the limited space makes them prone to collisions and scrapes with other fish and the tank itself, causing the tuna's mucus layer to peel off and resulting in skin damage. Even with circulating aeration, some tuna still die from oxygen deprivation. If the aquaculture tanks on fishing boats are small, the tuna lack the space to accelerate their rapid swimming. If the tanks are large, the water circulation is slow, which not only fails to guarantee oxygen levels but also falls far short of simulating the speed of rapid swimming. These two needs are contradictory and cannot be met simultaneously. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problems of limited space, restricted water flow, and easy injury to tuna during temporary holding on ships after wild-caught tuna. This invention provides a device and method for temporary holding of tuna at sea, which naturally guides the tuna into independent holding chambers. Mesh panels are installed at both ends of the holding chambers to allow water flow. Water is introduced into the holding chambers from the fish's head direction and aerated. Excessive aeration generates a large number of bubbles based on the near-saturation of dissolved oxygen in the water, greatly increasing the oxygen content in the incoming water. The water flow through the inlet impacts the tuna, simulating the breathing effect of high-speed swimming. Due to the high oxygen content of the incoming water, the respiratory needs of the tuna can be met at lower water flow rates (below 30 km / h).

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is: a device for temporarily holding tuna at sea, including a fish release pond, an elongated water inlet pool separated from the side of the fish release pond, several retention chambers detachably provided on the side of the water inlet pool, a hollowed-out middle section of the pool wall panel facing the retention chambers for water passage, a front mesh baffle provided at the front end of the retention chamber facing the water inlet pool, an openable mesh door panel provided at the rear end of the retention chamber, a switch turntable for touching the mesh door panel provided inside the retention chamber behind the front mesh baffle, a water pump for pumping water from the fish release pond to the water inlet pool provided at one end of the water inlet pool, an air pump also provided at one end of the water inlet pool, an aeration device provided at the lower part of the pool wall panel facing the retention chambers, and an air pipe provided between the air pump and the aeration device.

[0006] As is well known, creating a stable, high-velocity water flow on a ship requires a significant amount of energy, which is extremely difficult. Furthermore, ensuring sufficient space for the tuna to move around is even more challenging, far exceeding the ship's energy reserves. This device guides the tuna into a detention chamber, reducing their movement and preventing impact injuries. The small size of the detention chamber also reduces the required high-velocity water flow area, thus reducing energy consumption. The tuna's head faces the intake tank, and through excessive aeration, the water flowing into the detention chamber from the intake tank is enriched with dissolved oxygen and bubbles, achieving a supersaturated state. This supersaturated water flow directly impacts the tuna's head, providing oxygen and meeting their ram-breathing needs at a lower flow rate, thus conforming to the energy consumption levels of ships.

[0007] Preferably, multiple aeration devices are arranged along the length of the pool wall panel facing the retention tank from the inlet pool, and each aeration device corresponds to one retention tank. The aeration rate of the aeration devices ensures that the dissolved oxygen in the water within the corresponding retention tank reaches a saturation level of over 120%.

[0008] Preferably, the two side walls of the retention chamber are provided with cushioning air bags; the air bags are made of silicone material.

[0009] Preferably, the retention bin includes a detachable left bin plate and a right bin plate. The two ends of the front mesh baffle are detachably inserted into the left bin plate and the right bin plate respectively using a slot structure. The left bin plate and the right bin plate are both inserted into the side plate of the fish release pond and the wall plate of the inlet pool using a slot structure. After the retention bin is removed, the original retention bin location is connected to the fish release pond to form a transfer channel.

[0010] Preferably, the switch plate is a frame type with a hollowed-out center that allows water to pass through.

[0011] Preferably, a torsion spring is provided at the pivot of the switch plate, and a swing block is provided at the inner end of the switch plate to abut against the top of the switch plate. A door hinge with a torsion spring is provided on one side of the mesh door panel, and a pin is provided on one side of the door hinge to keep the mesh door panel in the open state. A pull rope is provided between the pin and the swing block. The pull rope is guided by a pulley. The switch plate, swing block, pull rope, pin, and torsion spring constitute a purely mechanical triggering mechanism. When a tuna enters the holding compartment against the current and touches the switch plate, the purely mechanical triggering mechanism automatically closes the mesh door panel, achieving independent isolation of one fish per compartment. A return spring is provided at the bottom of the swing block, which is used to return the swing block to the initial position abutting against the top of the switch plate after the mesh door panel is opened.

[0012] Preferably, the upper part of the water inlet pool is provided with a cover plate, and the water inlet pool forms a semi-enclosed pool that opens only to the retention bin side.

[0013] Preferably, the inlet pool is divided into multiple independent pools along its length, with each pool having an independent water pump connected to the fish release pool, and each independent pool having 2-3 retention chambers.

[0014] Preferably, one end of the water inlet pool is provided with an equipment installation platform higher than the top of the pool, and the water pump and air pump are installed on the installation platform.

[0015] Preferably, the number of holding tanks is no less than the number of tuna to be temporarily held, and the holding tanks are arranged side by side along the length of the inlet pool, with each holding tank accommodating only one tuna.

[0016] A method for temporarily holding tuna at sea, using the aforementioned apparatus for temporarily holding tuna at sea, includes the following steps: S1. Assemble the retention bin on one side of the inlet pool using a slotted structure, and fill the outlet pool with seawater to 5-8 / 10 full. S2. Place the captured tuna into the fish stocking pond; S3. The water pump continues to pump water from the fish release pond into the inlet pond. The water in the inlet pond flows into the retention tank through the pond wall panel and the front mesh baffle, and then flows back to the fish release pond through the retention tank, forming a circulating water flow. S4. The air pump continues to start, and the aeration device continues to aerate, so that the dissolved oxygen in the water entering the retention tank reaches a supersaturated state. S5. A tuna in the fish tank flows upstream into the holding tank, triggering a switch to close the mesh door. Subsequent tuna enter another holding tank and trigger a switch to close the mesh door. Tuna and holding tanks are isolated one-to-one. S6. Water rich in oxygen and bubbles directly impacts the head of the tuna at a flow rate lower than the natural swimming speed of the tuna. The oxygen-supersaturated water flow provides the oxygen needed for the tuna to breathe, and the low-flow-rate supersaturated oxygen water flow meets the tuna's ram-breathing needs. S7. After docking, remove the left and right panels, mesh door, and front mesh baffle of the holding tank, so that the original holding tank location is connected to the fish release pond to form a transfer channel, which facilitates the transfer of tuna.

[0017] This invention guides tuna into a holding tank to avoid impact damage caused by the tuna's movement. An inlet tank is set up with the tuna's head facing it, and the tuna's breathing needs can be met with a lower water flow rate by using super-aeration to directly impact the tuna's head with oxygen-saturated water. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a top view structural diagram of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is the invention Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the AA structure.

[0021] Figure 3 This is the invention Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the BB structure.

[0022] Figure 4 This is the invention Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure at point C.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a top view schematic diagram of the tuna entering the holding tank according to the present invention.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a side view of the tuna entering the holding chamber according to the present invention.

[0025] In the diagram: 1. Side panel of the fish tank; 2. Fish tank; 3. Tank wall panel; 4. Inlet tank; 5. Left compartment panel; 6. Right compartment panel; 7. Front mesh baffle; 8. Mesh door panel; 9. Torsion spring; 10. Pin; 11. Return spring; 12. Pull rope; 13. Pulley; 14. Swing block; 15. Switch plate; 16. Aeration device; 17. Air pipe; 18. Retention tank; 19. Air pump; 20. Water pump; 21. Tuna; 22. Slot structure; 23. Air bag. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The present invention will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0027] Example 1: A device for temporarily holding tuna at sea, such as Figure 1 , 2 As shown. This device includes a fish tank 2, inside which a long, narrow inlet tank 4 is partitioned off along the side. Several holding chambers 18 are detachably installed on the side of the inlet tank 4. The number of holding chambers 18 is no less than the number of tuna to be temporarily held. Each holding chamber is arranged side-by-side along the length of the inlet tank 4, and each holding chamber can only hold one tuna. The tank wall 3 facing the holding chamber 18 has a perforated center for water flow. A front mesh baffle 7 is installed at the front end of each holding chamber facing the inlet tank, and an openable mesh door 8 is installed at the rear end of each holding chamber. Inside each holding chamber 18, behind the front mesh baffle, is a switch 15 for controlling the touch-sensitive mesh door. A water pump 20 is installed at one end of the inlet pool 4 to pump water from the fish pond 2 into the inlet pool. An air pump 19 is also installed at one end of the inlet pool 4. An equipment installation platform higher than the top of the pool is installed at one end of the inlet pool 4, and the water pump 20 and air pump 19 are installed on the installation platform. An aeration device 16 is installed on the lower part of the pool wall panel facing the retention tank of the inlet pool 4, and an air pipe 17 is arranged between the air pump and the aeration device. Multiple aeration devices 16 are arranged along the length of the pool wall panel 3 facing the retention tank 18 of the inlet pool 4, and each aeration device 16 is corresponding to one retention tank 18.

[0028] like Figure 1 , 3As shown in Figure 4, the retention tank 18 includes a detachable left tank plate 5 and a right tank plate 6. The two ends of the front mesh baffle 7 are detachably inserted into the left tank plate 5 and the right tank plate 6 respectively using a slot structure 22. The left tank plate and the right tank plate are both inserted into the side plate 1 of the fish pond and the wall plate 3 of the water inlet pool using a slot structure 22. The two side walls of the retention tank 18 are provided with cushioning air bags 23. The switch plate 15 is a frame type with a hollow center that allows water to pass through. A torsion spring is provided at the pivot of the switch plate 15. The inner end of the switch plate 15 is provided with a swing block 14 that abuts against the top of the switch plate. A door hinge is provided on one side of the mesh door plate 8. The door hinge has a torsion spring 9. A pin 10 is provided on one side of the door hinge to keep the mesh door plate in the open state. A pull rope 12 is provided between the pin 10 and the swing block 14. A return spring 11 is provided on the pin 10. A pulley 13 is provided on the outer side of the swing block, and the pull rope 12 turns at the pulley to ensure that the outer section of the pull rope 12 extends in close contact with the outer wall of the right compartment plate 6.

[0029] Example 2: A device for temporarily holding tuna at sea. In this device, a sealed cover is installed on the top of the inlet pool, forming a semi-enclosed pool that opens only to the holding tank side. The inlet pool is divided into multiple independent tanks along its length, and each tank is independently equipped with a water pump between itself and the fish release pool. Each independent tank corresponds to 2-3 holding tanks. The remaining structure is the same as in Example 1.

[0030] Example 3: A method for temporarily holding tuna at sea, using the apparatus of Example 1, includes the following steps: S1. Assemble the retention bin on one side of the inlet pool using a slotted structure, and fill the outlet pool with seawater to 5-8 / 10 full. S2. Place the caught tuna into the fish stocking tank; such as Figure 1 As shown; S3. The water pump continues to pump water from the fish release pond into the inlet pond. The water in the inlet pond flows into the retention tank through the pond wall panel and the front mesh baffle, and then flows back to the fish release pond through the retention tank, forming a circulating water flow. S4. The air pump continues to start, and the aeration device continues to aerate, making the water entering the retention tank rich in oxygen and bubbles. S5. A tuna in the fish tank flows upstream into a holding chamber, triggering a switch to close the mesh door. Subsequent tuna enter another holding chamber and trigger the switch to close the mesh door, thus achieving independent isolation between the tuna and the holding chamber. Figure 5 , 6 As shown; S6. Water rich in oxygen and bubbles directly impacts the head of the tuna at a flow rate lower than the natural swimming speed of the tuna. The oxygen-supersaturated water flow provides the oxygen needed for the tuna to breathe, and the low-flow-rate supersaturated oxygen water flow meets the tuna's ram-breathing needs. S7. After docking, remove the left and right panels, mesh door, and front mesh baffle of the holding tank, so that the original holding tank location is connected to the fish release pond to form a transfer channel, which facilitates the transfer of tuna.

Claims

1. A device for temporarily holding tuna at sea, comprising a fish stocking tank, characterized in that, The fish release pond has a long, narrow inlet pool separated by its side. Several retention chambers are detachably installed on the side of the inlet pool. The middle of the pool wall panel facing the retention chambers is perforated to allow water to pass through. A front mesh baffle is installed at the front end of each retention chamber facing the inlet pool, and an openable mesh door is installed at the rear end of each retention chamber. Inside each retention chamber, behind the front mesh baffle, is a switch for the touch-sensitive mesh door. A water pump is installed at one end of the inlet pool to pump water from the fish release pond to the inlet pool, and an air pump is also installed at one end of the inlet pool. An aeration device is installed at the lower part of the pool wall panel facing the retention chambers, and an air pipe is installed between the air pump and the aeration device.

2. The apparatus for temporarily holding tuna at sea according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple aeration devices are arranged along the length of the pool wall panel facing the retention chamber from the inlet pool, and each aeration device is set up in a one-to-one correspondence with each retention chamber.

3. The apparatus for temporarily holding tuna at sea according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two side walls of the retention chamber are equipped with cushioning air bags; the air bags are made of silicone material.

4. The apparatus for temporarily holding tuna at sea according to claim 1, characterized in that, The retention chamber includes a detachable left and right chamber plate. The two ends of the front mesh baffle are detachably connected to the left and right chamber plates respectively using a slot structure. The left and right chamber plates are also connected to the side plate of the fish pond and the wall plate of the water inlet pool using a slot structure.

5. The apparatus for temporarily holding tuna at sea according to claim 1, characterized in that, The switch plate is a frame-shaped structure with a hollow center that allows water to pass through.

6. The apparatus for temporarily holding tuna at sea according to claim 1, characterized in that, A torsion spring is provided at the pivot of the switch plate, and a swing block is provided at the inner end of the switch plate to abut against the top of the switch plate. A door hinge is provided on one side of the mesh door panel, and the door hinge has a torsion spring. A pin is provided on one side of the door hinge to keep the mesh door panel in the open state. A pull rope is provided between the pin and the swing block.

7. The apparatus for temporarily holding tuna at sea according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper part of the water inlet pool is provided with a cover plate, and the water inlet pool forms a semi-enclosed pool that only opens to the retention bin side.

8. The apparatus for temporarily holding tuna at sea according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet pool is divided into multiple independent pools along its length. Each pool is equipped with an independent water pump between itself and the fish release pool. Each independent pool has 2-3 retention chambers.

9. The apparatus for temporarily holding tuna at sea according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of holding tanks shall not be less than the number of tuna to be temporarily held. Each holding tank (18) shall be arranged side by side along the length of the inlet pool, and each holding tank shall hold only one tuna.

10. A method for temporarily holding tuna at sea, characterized in that, The apparatus for temporarily holding tuna at sea according to any one of claims 1-9 comprises the following steps: S1. Assemble the retention bin on one side of the inlet pool using a slotted structure, and fill the outlet pool with seawater to 5-8 / 10 full. S2. Place the captured tuna into the fish stocking pond; S3. The water pump continues to pump water from the fish release pond into the inlet pond. The water in the inlet pond flows into the retention tank through the pond wall panel and the front mesh baffle, and then flows back to the fish release pond through the retention tank, forming a circulating water flow. S4. The air pump continues to start, and the aeration device continues to aerate, so that the dissolved oxygen in the water entering the retention tank reaches a supersaturated state. S5. A tuna in the fish tank flows upstream into the holding tank, triggering a switch to close the mesh door. Subsequent tuna enter another holding tank and trigger a switch to close the mesh door. Tuna and holding tanks are isolated one-to-one. S6. Water rich in oxygen and bubbles directly impacts the head of the tuna at a flow rate lower than the natural swimming speed of the tuna. The oxygen-supersaturated water flow provides the oxygen needed for the tuna to breathe, and the low-flow-rate supersaturated oxygen water flow meets the tuna's ram-breathing needs. S7. After docking, remove the left and right panels, mesh door, and front mesh baffle of the holding tank, so that the original holding tank location is connected to the fish release pond to form a transfer channel, which facilitates the transfer of tuna.

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