Seaweeds raising device and method for producing seaweeds

Abstract

To further lighten a burden of attaching / detaching work of a substrate for seaweeds onto a seaweed bed reef.SOLUTION: A seaweeds raising device 1 for raising seaweeds on a seaweed bed reef 100 comprises: a substrate 30 to which seedlings 200 of seaweeds are attached; a punching board 10 for which a plurality of fitting holes 12 for inserting the substrate 30 are provided; and a support body 20 which is fixed to the seaweed bed reef 100, and supports the punching board 10 into a horizontal position, where an outer peripheral surface 36 of the substrate 30 has a tapered part 40 tapering-off downward, and the fitting holes 12 have a shape and a size engageable with the tapered part 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for growing seaweeds in a seaweed reef and a method for producing seaweeds.

Background Art

[0002] In the seabed, seaweed beds where seaweeds (seaweeds which are algae and seagrasses which are seed plants) grow can play various roles such as purification of seawater and maintenance of marine biodiversity. However, in recent years, a phenomenon called seashore erosion in which seaweed beds shrink or disappear has been progressing in various places. The progress of such seashore erosion is becoming more and more remarkable due to the influence of climate change.

[0003] As a countermeasure against seashore erosion, seaweed bed creation may be carried out. In seaweed bed creation, generally, a seaweed reef made of concrete blocks or the like is installed on the seabed, and seaweeds are grown in the seaweed reef.

[0004] In this case, a substrate on which seedlings of seaweeds are implanted or grown to some extent may be fixed to the seaweed reef. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which first, zoospores or embryos of naturally-derived seaweeds are implanted in a three-dimensional cartridge (substrate), and then the three-dimensional cartridge is slidably attached to a cartridge receiver fixed to the seaweed reef. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which a plate-shaped holder member (substrate) holding a seed thread on which seaweed seedlings are implanted is slidably attached to a groove portion of a base member fixed to the seaweed reef.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] When fixing a substrate to a kelp bed reef, usually, a diver takes a substrate with seedlings and dives to near the seabed of the kelp bed reef, and in water, uses an anchor bolt or underwater adhesive, etc. to fix the substrate to the kelp bed reef. Such a substrate fixing operation is a great burden on the diver.

[0007] Regarding this point, according to the techniques of Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above, since the substrate is attached to the kelp bed reef by the sliding engagement between the engaging portion on the kelp bed reef side and the engaging portion on the substrate side, compared with the case of using an anchor bolt or underwater adhesive, the working burden on the diver can be reduced.

[0008] However, the operation of performing the above-described sliding engagement for each substrate may still be felt as a burden, and there is room for further improvement.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to further reduce the burden of attaching and detaching a substrate for seaweeds to a kelp bed reef.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is a seaweed growing device for growing seaweeds in a kelp bed reef, comprising a substrate with seaweed seedlings attached thereto, a punching board provided with a plurality of mounting holes for inserting the substrate, and a support fixed to the kelp bed reef for supporting the punching board in a horizontal posture, wherein an outer peripheral surface of the substrate has a tapered portion that tapers downward, and the mounting holes have a shape and size that can engage with the tapered portion.

[0011] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for producing seaweeds in a seaweed reef, comprising: a punching board installation step of installing a punching board provided with a plurality of mounting holes above the seaweed reef so as to be in a horizontal posture; and a substrate holding step of inserting a substrate with seaweed seedlings attached into the mounting holes from above the punching board and engaging the large-diameter portion of the substrate with the mounting holes to hold the substrate.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, an operator can easily install a substrate on a seaweed reef by inserting the substrate into the mounting holes of the punching board installed above the seaweed reef. Further, if the substrate is withdrawn from the mounting holes of the punching board, the substrate can be easily removed from the seaweed reef. Therefore, according to the present invention, the work load in the installation, removal, and replacement of the substrate on the seaweed reef can be effectively reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that terms indicating specific directions used in the following description (for example, terms including "up", "down", "horizontal", "lateral") indicate the directions in the postures of the devices and components in the usage state shown in the accompanying drawings. The use of these terms is for facilitating the understanding of the invention with reference to the drawings, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited by the meanings of these terms. Further, the following description is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0015] [First Embodiment] First, the overall configuration of the seaweed growth device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 1 and the enlarged cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 2.

[0016] The seaweed growth device 1 is a device for growing seaweeds (including both seaweeds that are algae and seagrasses that are seed plants) in the algal reef 100. The algal reef 100 is composed of, for example, concrete blocks, but in the present invention, the configuration of the algal reef 100 is not particularly limited.

[0017] The seaweed growth device 1 includes a substrate 30 to which seaweed seedlings (including spores, seeds, and seedlings) 200 are attached, a punching board 10 provided with a plurality of attachment holes 12 for inserting the substrate 30, and a support 20 fixed to the algal reef 100 and supporting the punching board 10. The specific configurations of the punching board 10 and the substrate 30 will be described later.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the support 20 is configured to be able to support the punching board 10 in a horizontal posture. Here, the "horizontal posture" referred to herein includes not only a posture completely parallel to the horizontal plane but also a posture slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0019] The support body 20 has a cage part 22 for preventing grazing damage installed on the seaweed reef 100, and a support part 26 attached inside the cage part 22 above the seaweed reef 100 to support the punching board 10.

[0020] The cage part 22 can prevent grazing damage to the seedlings 200 by surrounding the seedlings 200 grown on the substrate 30 held on the punching board 10. The shape of the cage part 22 is not particularly limited, and for example, it may be rectangular parallelepiped. The material of the cage part 22 is not particularly limited, and for example, it may be a metal such as stainless steel or iron, or FRP (fiber reinforced plastic).

[0021] Each surface of the cage part 22 preferably has a mesh suitable for achieving both prevention of intrusion of organisms that can cause grazing damage to seaweeds and promotion of inflow of fresh seawater. It is preferable that a door part (not shown) that opens and closes, such as when attaching and detaching the substrate 30 to the punching board 10, is provided on at least one side surface of the cage part 22.

[0022] Although not shown in the drawings, the cage part 22 may have a double structure including an inner cage part and an outer cage part. In this case, it is preferable that the outer cage part has a finer mesh than the inner cage part, whereby mainly the outer cage part can perform a grazing damage prevention function and mainly the inner cage part can perform a seawater inflow promotion function.

[0023] The support part 26 includes a pair of rail parts 28 to which the peripheral edge of the punching board 10 is slidably engaged. The pair of rail parts 28 are formed of groove-shaped (for example, U-shaped) members arranged so as to face each other and extend parallel to each other. The rail parts 28 are arranged to extend in the horizontal direction and are fixed inside the side surface of the cage part 22. The material of the rail parts 28 is not particularly limited, and for example, it may be a metal such as stainless steel or iron, or FRP (fiber reinforced plastic).

[0024] Next, with reference mainly to FIGS. 3 to 5, the configurations related to the punching board 10 and the substrate 30 in the first embodiment will be described.

[0025] A partial plan view of the punching board 10 is shown in FIG. 3. The punching board 10 has, for example, a shape adapted to the planar shape of the basket portion 22. Specifically, the shape of the punching board 10 may be, for example, rectangular (including square). The material of the punching board 10 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a metal such as stainless steel or iron, or FRP (fiber reinforced plastic).

[0026] A plurality of mounting holes 12 are arranged at intervals on the punching board 10. The mounting holes 12 are formed to penetrate the punching board 10. The mounting holes 12 have a shape and size that can engage with a tapered portion 40 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) of the substrate 30 described later. Specifically, the mounting holes 12 have a shape that conforms to the contour of the tapered portion 40 as viewed from the vertical direction, and are circular in this embodiment.

[0027] A perspective view of the substrate 30 is shown in FIG. 4. The substrate 30 is a cylindrical member extending in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the substrate 30 has a peripheral wall portion 32 with a circular cross-section. A through hole 33 that penetrates the substrate 30 in the vertical direction is formed inside the peripheral wall portion 32. The peripheral wall portion 32 is configured to gradually decrease in diameter downward. That is, the outer shape of the substrate 30 has a reverse frustum of a cone shape. Thereby, the outer peripheral surface 36 of the substrate 30 constitutes a tapered portion 40 that tapers downward over the entire length in the vertical direction. The inner peripheral surface 34 of the substrate 30 is also formed in a tapered shape similar to the outer peripheral surface 36.

[0028] Although the material of the substrate 30 is not particularly limited, it is preferable to use a naturally derived material (for example, mortar or concrete mixed with paper sludge or coral sand, or gypsum). This can suppress marine pollution caused by the loss of the material of the substrate 30. When the substrate 30 made of mortar or concrete is used, since it is strongly alkaline immediately after production, it is preferably immersed in water until the pH sufficiently drops before use.

[0029] The size of the substrate 30 is arbitrary. For example, the maximum diameter (outer diameter of the upper end portion) of the substrate 30 may be about 10 cm, and the height (vertical dimension) of the substrate 30 may be about 20 cm. The weight of the substrate 30 is also arbitrary, and may be about 3 kg, for example.

[0030] As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, a seed thread (rope) 50 on which the seedlings 200 have landed is attached to the substrate 30. The diameter of the seed thread 50 is, for example, about 10 mm. The seed thread 50 is wound around the substrate 30 so as to pass through the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the substrate 30, and is fixed to the substrate 30 by being tied, for example, below the substrate 30. Instead of the seed thread 50, a rope with a seed thread (a rope with a seed thread) attached may be attached to the substrate 30.

[0031] On the surface of the substrate 30, recesses 38 for hooking the seed thread 50 are provided, for example, at two locations in the circumferential direction. Each recess 38 has an upper recess 38a provided on the upper end surface of the substrate 30 and a lower recess 38b provided on the lower end surface of the substrate 30. The upper recess 38a and the lower recess 38b are each formed in a groove shape extending in the radial direction of the substrate 30. Each recess 38 also has a side recess 38c formed on the outer peripheral surface 36 of the substrate 30 so as to connect the upper recess 38a and the lower recess 38b. The side recess 38c is formed in a groove shape so as to extend in the vertical direction. The recess 38 is formed deeper than the diameter of the seed thread 50. Thereby, the seed thread 50 can be housed in the recess 38 so as not to protrude outside the surface of the substrate 30.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the substrate 30 is held by the punching board 10 in a state where it is inserted into the mounting hole 12 so as to penetrate the punching board 10.

[0033] Here, the contour of the tapered portion 40 of the substrate 30 as viewed from the vertical direction is circular. The diameter of the tapered portion 40 is smaller than the diameter of the mounting hole 12 at the lower end portion and larger than the diameter of the mounting hole 12 at the upper end portion. That is, the tapered portion 40 forms a small-diameter portion having a diameter equal to or smaller than the diameter of the mounting hole 12 from its lower end portion to the middle portion in the vertical direction, and forms a large-diameter portion having a diameter larger than the diameter of the mounting hole 12 from the middle portion in the vertical direction to the upper end portion. Thereby, the tapered portion 40 can pass through the mounting hole 12 at its lower small-diameter portion and is surely engaged with the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 12 at its upper large-diameter portion. Therefore, the substrate 30 is held by the punching board 10 without falling off.

[0034] Also, at the engaging portion between the tapered portion 40 and the mounting hole 12, the seed thread 50 is housed in the recess 38 as described above (see FIG. 5), so that it is avoided from rubbing against the punching board 10. Therefore, when the substrate 30 is inserted into the mounting hole 12, it is possible to prevent the seed thread 50 from being cut by contact with the peripheral edge portion of the mounting hole 12. Further, since the seed thread 50 is also housed in the recesses 38 (upper recess 38a and lower recess 38b) on the upper side and the lower side of the substrate 30, wear and rocking due to the influence of the seawater flow are suppressed.

[0035] The substrate 30 held by the punching board 10 may be fixed to the punching board 10 by any fixing means as required (depending on the environment). For example, the substrate 30 may be fixed to the punching board 10 using a binding band (not shown) passed through the through hole 33 of the substrate 30.

[0036] By using the seaweed growth device 1 configured as described above, seaweeds can be produced in the seaweed reef 100 by the following method.

[0037] First, as shown in FIG. 1, a cage part 22 for preventing grazing damage is installed on the seaweed bed reef 100 (cage part installation step), and the punching board 10 is installed above the seaweed bed reef 100 so as to be in a horizontal posture (punching board installation step). Here, the punching board 10 may be attached inside the cage part 22 in advance. In this case, if the cage part installation step is executed, the punching board installation step will also be completed. Further, the punching board 10 is preferably installed so as to be slidable between the inner space and the outer space of the cage part 22.

[0038] Subsequently, the substrate 30 is inserted into the mounting hole 12 from above the punching board 10, and the substrate 30 is held by engaging the large-diameter portion of the tapered portion 40 of the substrate 30 with the mounting hole 12 (substrate holding step). At this time, the operator (diver) opens the door portion (not shown) of the cage part 22 and pulls out the punching board 10 to the outside of the cage part 22, making it easier to attach the substrate 30 to the punching board 10.

[0039] In the installation of the substrate 30, the operator only needs to insert the substrate 30 into the mounting hole 12 of the punching board 10 and fix it to the punching board 10 using a binding band or the like as necessary. Moreover, since the mounting hole 12 is circular, it is not necessary to align the substrate 30 with respect to the mounting hole 12 in the circumferential direction. Such an advantage in workability also applies to the removal of the substrate 30. Therefore, the workability of installing, removing, and replacing the substrate 30 on the seaweed bed reef 100 is improved.

[0040] Also, the work load for transplanting the seedlings 200 from the seaweed bed reef 100 to another location is reduced. This transplantation may be performed together with the substrate 30, or it is also possible to transplant only the seed thread 50 by removing the seed thread 50 from the substrate 30. When transplanted together with the substrate 30, the through hole 33 of the substrate 30 can be used to fix the substrate 30 to the rock bed or concrete block, etc. at the transplantation destination. Further, due to the shape characteristics (cylindrical or conical) of the substrate 30 extending in the vertical direction, there is also an advantage that the lower part of the substrate 30 can be easily buried in the seabed or the like at the transplantation destination.

[0041] Furthermore, since the hollow substrate 30 having the through-holes 33 as described above is less likely to receive lift force, it is easy to maintain a good holding state of the substrate 30 by the punching board 10. Further, due to the hollow structure, it is difficult for deposits such as floating sand to accumulate on the upper surface of the substrate 30, so that it is suppressed that the substrate 30 cannot be removed from the punching board 10 due to being covered with the deposits.

[0042] The seedlings 200 on the substrate 30 held by the punching board 10 as described above are grown in a state surrounded by the basket part 22. Therefore, by preventing damage by pests, the growth of the seedlings 200 is effectively promoted.

[0043] [Second Embodiment] With reference to FIG. 6, the configurations of the punching board 210 and the substrate 230 in the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, since the configurations of the seaweed growing device 1 other than the punching board and the substrate are the same as those in the first embodiment, the illustration and description thereof are omitted. Also, regarding the punching board 210 and the substrate 230 in the second embodiment, the description of the configurations common to the punching board 10 and the substrate 30 in the first embodiment is omitted.

[0044] As shown in the plan view of FIG. 6(a), the shape of the mounting hole 212 of the punching board 210 is substantially quadrangular (for example, square or rectangular). Note that the shape of the mounting hole 212 does not have to be a perfect quadrangle, such as having rounded corners.

[0045] As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 6(b), the substrate 230 is a rectangular tube-shaped member extending in the vertical direction. That is, the substrate 230 has a peripheral wall portion 232 with a quadrangular cross-section (e.g., square or rectangular). Inside the peripheral wall portion 232, a through-hole 233 with a quadrangular cross-section that penetrates the substrate 230 in the vertical direction is formed. The peripheral wall portion 232 is configured to gradually decrease in diameter downward. That is, the outer shape of the substrate 230 has a reverse frustum of a square pyramid shape. As a result, the outer peripheral surface 236 of the substrate 230 constitutes a tapered portion 240 that tapers downward over the entire vertical length. The inner peripheral surface 234 of the substrate 230 is also formed in a tapered shape similar to the outer peripheral surface 236.

[0046] On the surface of the substrate 230, similar to the first embodiment, recesses 38 for hooking the seed thread 50 (see FIG. 5) are provided, for example, at two locations in the circumferential direction. Thereby, the seed thread 50 can be stored in the recess 38 so as not to protrude outside the surface of the substrate 230.

[0047] Also in the second embodiment, the substrate 230 is held by the punching board 210 in a state of being inserted into the mounting hole 212 so as to penetrate the punching board 210 (see FIG. 2). Here, the contour of the tapered portion 240 of the substrate 230 viewed from the vertical direction is quadrangular (e.g., square or rectangular), which is the same as the shape of the mounting hole 212.

[0048] The dimension (length of one side) of the tapered portion 240 in plan view is smaller than the dimension of the mounting hole 212 at the lower end portion and larger than the dimension of the mounting hole 212 at the upper end portion. As a result, the tapered portion 240 is surely engaged with the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 212 at the middle portion in the vertical direction, and the detachment of the substrate 230 is suppressed. Also, at the engagement portion between the tapered portion 240 and the mounting hole 212, since the seed thread 50 (see FIG. 5) is stored in the recess 38 as described above, it is avoided from rubbing against the punching board 210.

[0049] Also in the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the substrate 230 can be easily attached to and detached from the punching board 210, and the punching board 210 can hold the substrate 230 well. Further, according to the second embodiment, since the rotation of the substrate 230 is restricted by the engagement with the square mounting hole 212, the holding state of the substrate 230 can be made more stable.

[0050] [Third Embodiment] With reference to FIG. 7, the configurations of the punching board 310 and the substrate 330 in the third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, since the configurations of the seaweed growth device 1 other than the punching board and the substrate are the same as those in the first embodiment, the illustration and description thereof are omitted. Further, regarding the punching board 310 and the substrate 330 in the third embodiment, the description of the configurations common to the punching board 10 and the substrate 30 in the first embodiment is omitted.

[0051] As shown in the plan view of FIG. 7(a), the shape of the mounting hole 312 of the punching board 310 is elliptical.

[0052] As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 7(b), the substrate 330 is a member in the shape of an elliptical cylinder extending in the vertical direction. That is, the substrate 330 has a peripheral wall portion 332 with an elliptical cross-section. Inside the peripheral wall portion 332, a through hole 333 with an elliptical cross-section that penetrates the substrate 330 in the vertical direction is formed. The peripheral wall portion 332 is configured to gradually decrease in diameter downward. That is, the outer shape of the substrate 330 has a contour in the shape of an inverted truncated elliptical cone. Thereby, the outer peripheral surface 336 of the substrate 330 constitutes a tapered portion 340 that tapers downward over the entire length in the vertical direction. The inner peripheral surface 334 of the substrate 330 is also formed in a tapered shape similar to the outer peripheral surface 336.

[0053] In the third embodiment, the substrate 330 does not have the seed thread 50 (see FIG. 5) attached thereto, and no recess for hooking the seed thread 50 is provided. In the third embodiment, seedlings are implanted not in the seed thread 50 but in the substrate 330 itself. For example, by immersing the substrate 330 in seawater containing spores or seeds of seaweeds, the spores or seeds may be implanted in the substrate 330. The seedlings implanted in the substrate 330 can be grown on the substrate 330 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0054] Also in the third embodiment, the substrate 330 is held by the punching board 310 in a state of being inserted into the mounting hole 312 so as to penetrate the punching board 310 (see FIG. 2). Here, the contour of the tapered portion 340 of the substrate 330 viewed from the vertical direction is elliptical and is the same as the shape of the mounting hole 312.

[0055] The dimensions (major axis and minor axis) of the tapered portion 340 in plan view are smaller than the dimensions of the mounting hole 312 at the lower end portion and larger than the dimensions of the mounting hole 312 at the upper end portion. Thereby, the tapered portion 340 is surely engaged with the inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 312 at the middle portion in the vertical direction thereof, and the detachment of the substrate 330 is suppressed.

[0056] Also in the third embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the substrate 330 can be easily attached to and detached from the punching board 310, and the substrate 330 can be held well by the punching board 310. Further, according to the third embodiment, since the rotation of the substrate 330 is restricted by the engagement with the elliptical mounting hole 312, the holding state of the substrate 330 can be made more stable.

[0057] [Fourth Embodiment] With reference to Fig. 8, the configuration of the substrate 430 in the fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, since the configurations other than the substrate in the seaweed growth device 1 are the same as those in the first embodiment, their illustration and description are omitted. Also, regarding the substrate 430 in the fourth embodiment, the description of the configurations common to the substrate 30 in the first embodiment is omitted. Further, for the components similar to those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are given in Fig. 8, and their description is omitted.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 8, only a part of the outer peripheral surface 436 of the substrate 430 in the fourth embodiment constitutes a tapered portion 440 that tapers downward. Specifically, the portion extending from the upper end portion to the middle portion of the outer peripheral surface 436 is the tapered portion 440, and the portion below the tapered portion 440 on the outer peripheral surface 436 is a straight portion 442 with a constant radial dimension.

[0059] The contour of the outer peripheral surface 436 as viewed in the vertical direction is, for example, circular, but may be another shape (for example, elliptical or square). Although the mounting hole 12 of the punching board 10 is circular, it can be appropriately changed according to the contour of the outer peripheral surface 436 of the substrate 430. In the example shown in Fig. 8, the diameter of the mounting hole 12 is larger than the diameter of the straight portion 442 and is the same as the diameter of the vicinity of the lower end of the tapered portion 440.

[0060] Similar to the first embodiment, the substrate 430 in the fourth embodiment can also be held by the punching board 10 by engaging with the mounting hole 12 at its outer peripheral surface 436 (specifically, the vicinity of the lower end of the tapered portion 440). Therefore, even when only a part of the outer peripheral surface 436 of the substrate 430 is the tapered portion 440 as in the fourth embodiment, the same effect as when the entire outer peripheral surface 36 of the substrate 30 constitutes the tapered portion 40 as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0061] Also, as shown in FIG. 8, a through hole 460 that horizontally (radially) penetrates the lower part of the substrate 430 may be provided at the lower part of the substrate 430. In this case, instead of the above-described binding band, by using a retaining member 470 inserted into the through hole 460, the substrate 430 may be fixed to the punching board 10.

[0062] Note that the substrate 430 shown in FIG. 8 may be provided with a through hole 33 (see FIG. 5) that penetrates in the vertical direction, or may be omitted, as in the first embodiment.

[0063] The present invention has been described above with reference to the above-described embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0064] For example, in the substrates 30 and 230 having a circular cross-section or a square cross-section as in the first and second embodiments, the seed thread 50 and the recess 38 may be omitted, or in the substrate 330 having an elliptical cross-section as in the third embodiment, a recess similar to that in the first and second embodiments may be provided to attach the seed thread 50. Further, in the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the substrate may be any shape other than a circular shape, an elliptical shape, and a square shape. In any case, the shape of the mounting hole of the punching board is preferably a shape that matches the cross-sectional shape of the substrate. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the substrate and the shape of the mounting hole are preferably determined according to the environmental conditions (such as ocean currents) of the seaweed bed reef to be installed.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0065] 1 Seaweed growth device 10 Punching board 12 Mounting hole 20 Support 22 Cage part for preventing grazing damage 26 Support part 28 Rail part 30 Substrate 36 Outer peripheral surface of the substrate 38 Recess 40 Taper part 50 Seed thread 100 Seaweed bed reef 200 Seaweed seedlings 210 Punching board 212 Mounting hole 230 Substrate 236 Outer peripheral surface of the substrate 240 Tapered portion 310 Punching board 312 Mounting hole 330 Substrate 336 Outer peripheral surface of the substrate 340 Tapered portion 430 Substrate 436 Outer peripheral surface of the substrate 440 Tapered portion 442 Straight portion

Claims

1. A seaweed growing device for growing seaweeds in a seaweed reef, comprising: a substrate with seaweed seedlings attached thereto; a punching board provided with a plurality of mounting holes for inserting the substrate; a support fixed to the seaweed reef and supporting the punching board in a horizontal posture, wherein an outer peripheral surface of the substrate has a tapered portion that tapers downward; the mounting holes have a shape and size that can engage with the tapered portion; A seaweed growing device characterized by the above.

2. When viewed in the vertical direction, the contour of the tapered portion is circular, square, or elliptical, the mounting holes have a shape that matches the contour of the tapered portion; The seaweed growing device according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The substrate is a cylindrical member extending in the vertical direction; The seaweed growing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. At least an upper end portion and a lower end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the substrate are provided with recesses for hooking a seed thread or a rope with a seed thread; The seaweed growing device according to claim 3, characterized by the above.

5. The recesses are formed so as to extend in a groove shape from the upper end portion to the lower end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the substrate and deeper than the thickness of the seed thread or the rope with a seed thread; The seaweed growing device according to claim 4, characterized by the above.

6. The support includes a cage portion for preventing predation installed on the seaweed reef to surround the seedlings grown on the substrate held by the punching board, and a support portion attached inside the cage portion above the seaweed reef to support the punching board; The seaweed growing device according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

7. The support portion includes a pair of rail portions with which a peripheral edge portion of the punching board is slidably engaged; The seaweed growing device according to claim 6, characterized by the above.

8. A method for producing seaweeds for producing seaweeds in a seaweed reef, comprising: a punching board installation step of installing a punching board provided with a plurality of mounting holes above the seaweed reef so as to be in a horizontal posture; a substrate holding step of inserting a substrate with seaweed seedlings attached thereto into the mounting holes from above the punching board and engaging a large-diameter portion of the substrate with the mounting holes to hold the substrate; A method for producing seaweeds, characterized by the above.

9. Further having a step of installing a cage part for preventing damage by eating on the seaweed reef, In the punching board installation step, the punching board is attached inside the cage part, The method for producing seaweeds according to claim 8, characterized in that.

10. In the punching board installation step, the punching board is installed so as to be slidable between the inner space and the outer space of the cage part, The method for producing seaweeds according to claim 9, characterized in that.

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