Processing method and processing apparatus for organisms such as fish and shellfish

Abstract

To provide a processing method that reliably euthanizes organisms including crustaceans, turtles, and fish and shellfish without causing pain or distress.SOLUTION: A processing method uses a conductive brush (5) having bristle portions (6) formed of a conductive material and having flexibility or elasticity. The conductive brush (5) is applied with voltage, and an organism (S) including crustaceans, turtles, and fish and shellfish is brought into contact with the bristle portions (6) so as to electrocute the organism.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for treating living organisms such as crustaceans and fish without causing them pain or suffering. [Background technology]

[0002] As marine resources are declining year by year due to overfishing and environmental changes, the importance of aquaculture, which can ensure a stable supply of marine products, has been increasing in recent years. For example, approximately 60% of the seafood currently sold in Japan is supplied by aquaculture. Aquaculture is carried out in a variety of ways, including traditional aquaculture, which uses natural water bodies to create fish pens, and so-called land-based aquaculture, which is carried out in artificially constructed aquaculture ponds.

[0003] Meanwhile, there have been many reports of the proliferation of so-called invasive alien species in Japan's rivers, lakes, and other areas, threatening the habitats of endemic species. The Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries have compiled a list of foreign animals and other invasive species that are threatening the ecosystem, and have put in place measures such as submitting guidelines for preventing damage from invasive alien species. However, serious damage to fisheries and agriculture caused by largemouth bass, bluegill, American crayfish, red-eared slider turtles, bullfrogs, and giant pond snails continues to be reported nationwide. Japan is one of the world's leading agricultural and fishing nations, and preventing damage caused by invasive alien species is an urgent issue that cannot be delayed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-159822

[0005] Patent Document 1 describes a device that stuns or shocks fish to death. The method described in this document stuns or shocks fish to death on a hook by passing an electric current through an electrical conductor, such as a wire covered with vinyl or the like, to the hook or its vicinity. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] As mentioned above, aquaculture has become increasingly popular in recent years, and its importance is growing, but there are still issues that need to be resolved. Aquaculture requires large amounts of feed consisting of fish meal from sardines, krill, and other fish. However, fish meal is imported, and the demand has increased with the global development of aquaculture feed, causing prices to soar. It is said that feed accounts for 60-70% of the costs required for aquaculture, making the high cost of feed a problem.

[0007] Although designated invasive species that cause damage to fisheries have been eradicated, there is currently no established method for utilizing them, and most of them are discarded. If these designated invasive species were to be crushed and used as raw materials to produce feed for aquaculture, not only would the disposal problem be solved, but the cost of feed for aquaculture could also be reduced.

[0008] In recent years, when disposing of living creatures, it has become necessary to avoid causing pain or suffering to the creatures beforehand. For example, the Ministry of the Environment recommends freezing red-eared slider turtles to death using a dedicated freezer. However, freezing has been criticized as causing pain because it takes time to kill the animal, and is not necessarily a preferable method. Therefore, taking inspiration from the example of livestock that are euthanized and then disposed of, it is said that the preferred method is to shock the animal to death by electrocution. This is because electrocution is carried out instantly and there is no risk of causing pain or suffering.

[0009] When electrocuting an animal, the method described in Patent Document 1 can be used as a reference. However, this method is not useful because it targets fish caught on a fishing hook. Another method involves contacting an electrode with the animal. However, simply contacting the electrode may not reliably euthanize the animal. This is because, while fish can be electrocuted with even a single electrode contact, crayfish and red-eared slider turtles, for example, are protected by their hard shells and carapaces, and may avoid electrocution depending on the electrode contact point. In the case of crayfish in a bent-over position or a red-eared slider turtle with its head and limbs retracted, even if the electrode contacts their wet shells or carapaces, the shells and carapaces become conductive, allowing current to flow across their surfaces. This means that electrocution, or euthanasia, cannot be reliably achieved.

[0010] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems by providing a method for reliably euthanizing organisms, including invasive alien species such as crustaceans, turtles, and seafood, that can be used as feed for aquaculture, without causing pain or suffering. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention uses a conductive brush with flexible or elastic bristles made of a conductive material, and is configured so that when a voltage is applied to the conductive brush, organisms, including crustaceans, turtles, and seafood, come into contact with the bristles and are electrocuted to death. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, the bristles are flexible or elastic, so they can be reliably brought into contact with multiple parts of living creatures, including crustaceans, turtles, and seafood, at the same time, even in areas that are prone to electric shock, ensuring that the creature is electrocuted and euthanized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1]1 is a front view of a biological treatment apparatus for seafood or the like according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a rear view of an American crayfish. [Figure 3] This is a front view of a red-eared slider. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a front view showing an electric shock treatment device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a front view showing an electric shock treatment device according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] [Present embodiment] <Biological treatment equipment for fish and shellfish> This embodiment will be described. The seafood and other living organism treatment device 1 according to this embodiment is a device that euthanizes living organisms S, S, ..., including crustaceans such as crayfish, turtles such as red-eared sliders, and seafood, and then crushes them to obtain crushed organisms. As shown in Figure 1, the seafood and other living organism treatment device 1 is composed of an electric shock treatment device 2 and a living organism crushing treatment device 3. The organisms to be treated are preferably, but are not limited to, specified invasive species.

[0015] <Electric Shock Processing Device> The electric shock treatment device 2 according to this embodiment includes a pair of cylindrical conductive brushes 5, 5. Figure 1 shows a cross section of the conductive brushes 5, 5, which are cylindrical and have a predetermined length in the depth direction of the page. Bristles 6, 6 are provided around the conductive brushes 5, 5. The bristles 6, 6 are made of a conductive material and are flexible or elastic. For example, they may be formed from thin, elastic wire or thin, flexible strings made from conductive resin. Therefore, as will be explained later, when an organism S, S passes between the pair of conductive brushes 5, 5, the flexible or elastic bristles 6, 6 come into contact with a wide area of ​​the organism. Furthermore, forming the bristles 6, 6 from wire, i.e., metal, has the advantage of low electrical resistance, while forming them from conductive resin has the advantage of greater curvature, making it easier for them to contact a wider area and quickly return to their original shape.

[0016] In this embodiment, an AC voltage 8 of 100 V or the like is connected to the pair of conductive brushes 5, 5, and a voltage with opposite polarity is applied. As will be described later, a pulsed high voltage is applied in a second embodiment, but a DC voltage may also be applied, and the type of voltage applied to the conductive brushes 5, 5 is not limited. In this embodiment, the pair of conductive brushes 5, 5 are arranged with a gap appropriate for organisms S, S, ... to pass through, i.e., a predetermined gap between them. The pair of conductive brushes 5, 5 are rotatable, but may also be rotated in opposite directions by a predetermined drive mechanism.

[0017] The electric shock treatment device 2 is equipped with a feeding means, which feeds the living organisms S, S, ... little by little to the pair of conductive brushes 5, 5. The feeding means may have any configuration, but in this embodiment, the feeding means is used a hopper 10. The hopper 10 opens above the pair of conductive brushes 5, 5, and the living organisms S, S, ... are supplied little by little, for example one or two at a time, to the pair of conductive brushes 5, 5.

[0018] When living organisms S, S, ... are placed between the conductive brushes 5, 5, a wide range of parts of the living organisms S, S, ... are contacted by the bristles 6, 6. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the abdomen 50 of an American crayfish A-Z is soft and susceptible to electric shock, but the outer shell 51 on its back is less susceptible to electric shock. Because the bristles 6, 6 of the conductive brushes 5, 5 are flexible or elastic, they will reliably come into contact with the abdomen 50 even if the American crayfish A-Z is curled up with its abdomen 50 facing inward. Therefore, the American crayfish A-Z can be reliably electrocuted, resulting in instantaneous euthanasia.

[0019] Also, for example, as shown in Figure 3, certain parts 52 around the head and neck of a red-eared slider MA are prone to electric shock, but the shell 53 is less susceptible to electric shock. Because the bristles 6, 6 of the conductive brushes 5, 5 are flexible or elastic, they will reliably come into contact with the parts 52 that are prone to electric shock even if the red-eared slider MA has retracted its limbs and head and is inside the shell 53. Therefore, the red-eared slider MA can be reliably electrocuted and euthanized instantly.

[0020] <Biological crushing treatment device> The organism crushing device 3 is a device for crushing euthanized organisms S, S, ... into minced meat, and its structure is not limited. In other words, any configuration is acceptable, but in this embodiment, it is composed of a pair of parallel rotating shafts 13, 13 and multiple crushing blades 14, 14, ... of a predetermined plate thickness attached to each of the pair of rotating shafts 13, 13. The multiple crushing blades 14, 14, ... attached to one rotating shaft 13 and the multiple crushing blades 14, 14, ... attached to the other rotating shaft 13 are arranged so that they alternately overlap. Therefore, when the rotating shafts 13, 13 rotate in the direction of the arrow, the organisms S, S, ... are entangled by the crushing blades 14, 14, ... and crushed into minced meat.

[0021] A conveying means 12 such as a belt conveyor is provided above the organism crushing device 3, and organisms S, S, ... euthanized by the electric shock treatment device 2 are transported and supplied to the crushing blades 14, 14, .... A container 15 is provided below the organism crushing device 3, and crushed organisms, i.e., crushed organism material F, are placed therein. The crushed organism material F is dehydrated as necessary and used as a raw material for aquaculture feed, or as a raw material for agricultural fertilizer. Note that, in this embodiment, the organism crushing device 3 has been described as having only crushing blades 14, 14, ... as crushing means, but other crushing means such as a mixer may be combined to further crush the organisms.

[0022] [Second embodiment] <Electric Shock Processing Device> The living organism treatment device 1 for fish and shellfish according to this embodiment can be modified in various ways. For example, the electric shock treatment device 2 can be modified. Figure 4 shows an electric shock treatment device 2A according to a second embodiment. The electric shock treatment device 2A according to the second embodiment differs from this embodiment in that the pair of conductive brushes 5A, 5A are not cylindrical. In the second embodiment, the bristles 6A, 6A of the conductive brushes 5A, 5A are only partially provided and aligned in the same direction. In the second embodiment, the bristles 6A, 6A are also made of a conductive material and are flexible or elastic. Such a pair of conductive brushes 5A, 5A are arranged facing each other with the tips of the bristles 6A, 6A spaced a predetermined distance apart. Therefore, the living organisms S, S, ... delivered from the hopper 10 come into contact with a wide range of the bristles 6A, 6A.

[0023] A voltage supply device 18 is connected to the pair of conductive brushes 5A, 5A. The voltage supply device 18 may be configured to supply an AC voltage as in the present embodiment, but may also be configured to supply other types of voltage. For example, it may be configured to supply a pulsed high voltage. In this way, the living things S, S, ... can be electrocuted to death with a relatively small amount of power. A container 19 is provided below the pair of conductive brushes 5A, 5A, and is configured to collect the living things S, S, ... that have been electrocuted.

[0024] The organisms S, S, ... accumulated in the container 19 are supplied to a crushing device such as the organism crushing device 3 according to this embodiment and crushed. The electric shock treatment device 2A can also be used as a standalone device. For example, the eradication of designated invasive species is carried out in each prefecture under the initiative of the Ministry of the Environment, but moving them alive outside the prefecture is prohibited. Therefore, the electric shock treatment device 2A alone is installed at each base, and the exterminated organisms, such as designated native species, are euthanized. If they are dead, they can be transported outside the prefecture, etc., and then transported to a designated factory, where they can be crushed. The electric shock treatment device 2 according to this embodiment and the electric shock treatment device 2B according to the third embodiment, which will be described next, can also be used as standalone devices.

[0025] [Third embodiment] <Electric Shock Processing Device> 5 shows an electric shock treatment device 2B according to a third embodiment. The electric shock treatment device 2B according to the third embodiment differs from the present embodiment in that it is made up of a single conductive brush 5B and that the brush is not cylindrical. In the third embodiment, the bristles 6B of the conductive brush 5B are provided only in a limited area and are aligned in the same direction, as in the second embodiment.

[0026] In the third embodiment, the living things S, S, ... are transported by transport means 22 and sent to the conductive brush 5B. This transport means 22 is characterized by being electrically conductive. A voltage supply device 18 is connected to the transport means 22 and the conductive brush 5B. The living things S, S, ... sent by the transport means 22 come into contact with a wide range of parts of the bristles 6B of the conductive brush 5B, and are sure to be electrocuted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0027] 1. Biological treatment equipment for fish and shellfish, etc. 2. Electric shock treatment equipment 3. Biocrushing equipment 5, 5A, 5B Conductive Brush 6, 6A, 6B Hair 8 AC voltage 10 Hopper 12 conveying means 13 rotating shaft 14 Grinding blade 15 Container 18 Voltage supply device 19 Container 22 Means of transport

Claims

1. This method for treating living things such as fish and shellfish involves applying a voltage to a conductive brush made of a conductive material and provided with flexible or elastic bristles, and electrocuting living things including crustaceans, turtles, and fish and shellfish by bringing them into contact with the bristles.

2. 2. The method for treating living organisms such as fish and shellfish according to claim 1, wherein the electrocuted living organisms are pulverized to produce pulverized living organisms.

3. 3. The method for treating living things such as fish and shellfish according to claim 1, wherein the conductive brush has bristles formed from elastic wire.

4. A conductive brush; a voltage supply device that applies a voltage to the conductive brush, The conductive brush has bristles made of a conductive material and is flexible or elastic. The device for treating living things such as fish and shellfish is configured to electrocute and kill living things including crustaceans, turtles, and fish and shellfish by bringing the living things into contact with the bristles of the conductive brush to which a voltage is applied.

5. The apparatus for treating living organisms such as fish and shellfish according to claim 4, further comprising an organism crushing apparatus for crushing the electrocuted organisms into crushed organisms.

6. The processing device for living organisms such as fish and shellfish is described in claim 4 or 5, and is equipped with two cylindrically formed conductive brushes, the two conductive brushes are arranged in parallel with a predetermined distance between them, and an alternating current voltage is applied to the two conductive brushes so that the living organisms are sent between the two conductive brushes.

7. 6. The apparatus for treating living things such as fish and shellfish according to claim 4, wherein the conductive brush has bristles formed of elastic wire.

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