Aquaculture equipment for fish products

Abstract

To provide a fish farming apparatus that enables efficient cultivation of aquatic products on water. [Solution] An aquaculture apparatus for cultivating aquatic products on water, comprising: a holder for holding the aquatic products to be cultivated; a floating body connected to the holder and capable of positioning the holder near the surface of the sea; a cable connecting the floating body to an anchor installed on the seabed; a moving mechanism for moving the floating body and the holder between a position near the surface of the water and a position underwater; and a controller for controlling the moving mechanism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aquaculture device for culturing aquatic products such as seaweeds and fish in water.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, various techniques using seaweeds and sea grasses for carbon dioxide isolation and storage have been studied. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an apparatus and a system used for separating so-called blue carbon. The apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a floating body such as a buoy and a seeding thread connected to the buoy for attaching gametophytes and / or sporophytes of a target product, and the floating body floating on the sea surface maintains the seeding thread in seawater to grow the target product. In the apparatus of Patent Document 1, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the floating body loses buoyancy, and is configured to sink the target product grown through the seeding thread, and isolates the carbon dioxide absorbed by the sinking of the target product.

[0003] In addition, seaweeds are widely used not only for food purposes but also as industrial raw materials such as biofuels, bioplastics, pharmaceuticals, catalysts, feeds, and fertilizers. Besides food and industrial uses, they are also used as feed for aquaculture in the fisheries industry. For example, kombu is used as feed for sea urchin aquaculture, but since sea urchins eat a large amount of kombu, the demand for kombu is increasing, and there is a need for a technology that can efficiently cultivate kombu and other seaweeds.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In some areas, attempts are being made to promote the growth of kelp by artificially digging trenches called propagation trenches in the coastal bedrock and retaining seawater in the trenches during low tide. However, this presents a problem as sand flowing in from offshore accumulates in the propagation trenches, requiring time-consuming dredging work and disposal of the dredged sand. Furthermore, if propagation trenches are established on coastlines facing the open sea, rough seas can wash away the seaweed, making cultivation impossible. The effects of rough seas also occur similarly when cultivating fish and other aquatic life using cages.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide an aquaculture apparatus that can efficiently cultivate marine products such as seaweed and fish on water. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to a fishery aquaculture apparatus for cultivating aquatic products on water, comprising: a holder for holding the aquatic products to be cultivated; a floating body connected to the holder and capable of positioning the holder near the water surface; a cable connecting the floating body to an anchor installed on the seabed; a moving mechanism for moving the floating body and the holder between a position near the water surface and a position underwater; and a controller for controlling the moving mechanism. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an aquaculture apparatus that can efficiently cultivate aquatic products on water. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a fishery aquaculture apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Functional block diagram of a fishery aquaculture apparatus according to an embodiment [Figure 3] Schematic cross-sectional view from the III-III line shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Schematic cross-sectional view showing the floating object shown in Figure 3 in a submerged state. [Figure 5] A schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a modified aquaculture apparatus. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the aquaculture apparatus according to the embodiment, Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the aquaculture apparatus according to the embodiment, and Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken from the line III-III shown in Figure 1.

[0011] The aquaculture apparatus 100 is a device used for cultivating aquatic products on water, and comprises a holder 1, a floating body 2, a cable 3, a winding device 4, and a controller 5. The term "aquatic products" includes fish, shellfish, aquatic animals, marine mammals, and seaweed. This embodiment describes an example where the aquaculture apparatus 100 cultivates seaweed.

[0012] The retainer 1 is a component that serves as a bed for the seaweed to be cultivated, and consists of, for example, a net-like, cloth-like, or string-like structure made of natural or synthetic fibers. Spores, eggs, branched attachment organs, seedlings, etc., of the seaweed to be propagated are attached to the surface or gaps between the fibers of the retainer 1, and the seaweed attached to the retainer 1 is grown in the sea. The type of seaweed to be cultivated is not particularly limited, and examples include kelp, wakame, hijiki, mozuku, nori, and tengusa.

[0013] The float 2 is connected to the holder 1 and is a component that can position the holder 1 near the water surface by buoyancy. In this embodiment, the float 2 is an annular hollow body, with the holder 1 attached to the inside of the annulus. The shape, number, and material of the float 2 are not particularly limited as long as the holder 1 can be maintained on the water. The shape of the float 2 can be any shape, including a circular or elliptical annulus. The number of float 2 may be two or more, in which case multiple floats may be connected in an annular shape, or multiple floats may be arranged intermittently along the outer circumference of the holder 1. As long as the float 2 can float on the water, the material of the float 2 may be any of resin, metal, wood, etc. The size of the float 2 is also not particularly limited, but it is preferable to enlarge it in proportion to the holder 1, as a larger holder 1 can improve the efficiency of seaweed cultivation. In the case of the annular float 2 of this embodiment, for example, the outer diameter can be about 10m.

[0014] Cable 3 is a component that connects the floating body 2 to the anchor 10 on the seabed. The material of cable 3 is not particularly limited, and rope-like or chain-like materials made of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, metals, etc., can be used. Since cable 3 is constantly subjected to tension in seawater, it is preferable that it be made of a material that is resistant to corrosion and has sufficient strength to withstand the wave forces acting on the floating body 2. For example, a carbon fiber cable is suitable. One end of cable 3 is connected to the anchor 10, and the other end is connected to the drum of the winding device 4 (see Figure 3).

[0015] The hoisting device 4 comprises a drum and a prime mover such as a motor (neither of which are shown), and is a mechanism that uses the power of the prime mover to wind up the cable 3 and apply tension to the cable 3. The hoisting device 4 can also unwind the cable 3 by rotating the drum in the opposite direction to the winding direction. In this embodiment, the hoisting device 4 corresponds to the moving mechanism that moves the floating body 2 and the holder 1 up and down. The hoisting device 4 is, for example, a winch. It is preferable to place the hoisting device 4 inside the floating body 2, as shown in Figure 3. In this case, the cable 3 is inserted through a hole (not shown) formed in the lower part of the floating body 2, and the portion of the floating body 2 through which the cable 3 is inserted is waterproofed by a waterproofing member or the like. The hoisting device 4 can also be attached to the anchor 10 on the seabed, but it is preferable to install it inside the floating body 2 as in this embodiment because it makes power supply and maintenance easier.

[0016] The controller 5 controls the operation of the hoisting device 4. The controller 5 can be configured as a computer comprising at least a processor, memory, and storage device. The controller 5 can move the floating body 2 and the holder 1 attached thereto vertically by instructing the hoisting device 4 to wind up or unwind the cable 3. Details regarding the movement of the floating body 2 will be described later. The controller 5 also controls the operation of the solar panel 6 and battery 7, which will be described later, and can communicate with a remote control terminal 13 via the communication device 12 (see Figure 2).

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the aquaculture apparatus 100 according to this embodiment further includes a solar panel 6, a storage battery 7, and a communication device 12.

[0018] The solar panel 6 is provided on the upper part of the floating body 2 and generates electricity using sunlight. In FIG. 1, an example is shown in which a plurality of solar panels 6 are attached to almost the entire upper surface of the floating body 2. However, the number of solar panels 6 is not particularly limited and can be appropriately set according to the power generation capacity of the solar panel 6 and the amount of electric power required by the aquatic product cultivation device 100. The solar panel 6 may be fixed to the upper part of the floating body 2, or the solar panel 6 may be disposed inside the floating body 2 with the upper part of the floating body 2 being translucent. When the solar panel 6 is disposed inside the floating body 2, the upper part of the floating body 2 can be made translucent by forming the upper part of the floating body 2 with a translucent resin or the like, or by providing a window part made of a translucent resin on the upper part of the floating body 2. When the solar panel 6 is disposed inside the floating body 2, it is preferable because deterioration of the solar panel 6 can be suppressed.

[0019] The storage battery 7 is disposed inside the floating body 2 and stores the electric power generated by the solar panel 6. The electric power stored in the storage battery 7 can be used to operate the controller 5, the winch device 4, and the communication device 12 during daytime or nighttime when the sunlight intensity is not sufficient.

[0020] The control of power generation by the solar panel 6 and the charge-discharge control by the storage battery 7 can be performed by the controller 5. Separately from the controller 5 that controls the winch device 4, a controller for controlling power generation and charge-discharge may be provided.

[0021] The aquatic product cultivation device 100 according to the present embodiment includes the solar panel 6 and the storage battery 7, and thus can operate with the electric power generated by the solar panel 6. Since the electric power required for the aquatic product cultivation device 100 can be supplied by natural energy, carbon dioxide emissions can also be reduced, which is effective in reducing the environmental load.

[0022] Note that electric power may be supplied from the outside without providing the solar panel 6 and the storage battery 7. In this case, electric power may be supplied from a wind power generation device or a wave power generation device disposed on the water surface.

[0023] The communication device 12 is connected to the controller 5 and can communicate wirelessly or via wired connection with a control terminal 13 located outside the aquaculture apparatus 100. The external control terminal 13 is, for example, a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet, and is used to remotely manage and operate the aquaculture apparatus 100. The controller 5 can control various parts of the aquaculture apparatus 100 based on programs and data stored in its memory device and signals from various sensors (not shown) installed in the aquaculture apparatus 100. In addition, since the controller 5 is configured to communicate with the control terminal 13 via the communication device 12, it can control various parts based on instructions received from the control terminal 13 via the communication device 12, and can transmit information representing the state of the aquaculture apparatus 100 (for example, images of seaweed 11 or information on the surrounding environment measured by sensors) to the control terminal 13.

[0024] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, it is preferable to provide a dock 8 on the outer circumference of the floating body. Since the aquaculture apparatus 100 is installed on the water, it is necessary to access it by boat when harvesting the grown seaweed 11 or when performing maintenance on the apparatus. Providing a dock 8 on the outer circumference of the floating body 2 is preferable because it facilitates boat docking and mooring. In addition, to improve the work efficiency of harvesting the seaweed 11, it is preferable to provide a platform 9 as shown in Figures 1 and 3. In this embodiment, the platform 9 is installed along the inner circumference of the annular floating body 2, providing excellent work efficiency for harvesting and other operations around the entire circumference of the floating body 2.

[0025] The operation of the aquaculture apparatus 100 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

[0026] Figure 3 shows the floating body 2 positioned near the water surface. During the day, as shown in Figure 3, positioning the floating body 2 near the water surface allows sunlight to irradiate the seaweed planted on the holder 1, enabling photosynthesis. Furthermore, if the amount of sunlight is above a certain level, electricity can be generated by the solar panel 6. To position the floating body 2 in the location shown in Figure 3, the controller 5 controls the amount of cable 3 unwound by instructing the winding device 4. The amount of cable 3 unwound may be detected based on whether the tension applied to the cable 3 falls below a predetermined threshold, or it may be detected using a sensor (not shown) provided on the floating body 2.

[0027] The floating body 2 may be moored by loose mooring such as catenary mooring or tote mooring, but in this case, the floating body 2 will sway considerably and its position will not be stable. Therefore, it is preferable for the floating body 2 to be moored by tension mooring used in the Tension Leg Platform (TLP) in order to suppress the sway of the floating body 2 and stabilize its position. To tension moor the floating body 2, the controller 5 should control the amount of cable 3 unwound (winding amount) by the winding device 4 so that tension of the cable 3 is always equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In other words, by applying the TLP method (TLP-type floating body) to the aquaculture apparatus 100 according to the present invention, the arrangement of the retaining body 1 can be stabilized compared to conventional aquaculture apparatuses and equipment.

[0028] Figure 4 shows the floating body 2 in a submerged state. At night, there is no sunlight and photosynthesis is not possible, so the floating body 2 is submerged in the sea as shown in Figure 4. At this time, the position of the floating body 2 is such that the aquaculture apparatus 100 is completely submerged. It is known that the nutrients required by seaweed 11 show different distributions in the vertical direction due to differences in their specific gravity and form, and that they are higher in deeper waters than near the sea surface. Therefore, by submerging the floating body 2 and the retaining body 1 in the sea during the nighttime hours when photosynthesis is not possible, the absorption and accumulation of nutrients by the seaweed 11 can be promoted. Furthermore, by submerging the floating body 2 in the sea not only at night but also during storms, the effects of wind and waves on the seaweed 11 planted on the retaining body 1 can be reduced. In order to position the floating body 2 in the position shown in Figure 4, the controller 5 instructs the winding device 4 to wind up the cable 3. The amount of cable 3 wound up may be a predetermined value such that the distance from anchor 10 to floating body 2 is constant, or it may be detected using a sensor (not shown) provided on floating body 2.

[0029] As described above, in this embodiment of the aquaculture apparatus 100, the controller 5 controls the amount of cable 3 wound up (or unwound) by the winding device 4 according to the presence or absence of sunlight and the weather conditions, thereby moving the floating body 2 between the position shown in Figure 3 and the position shown in Figure 4. With this configuration, during the daytime when there is sunlight and the weather is not rough, photosynthesis promotes the growth of seaweed 11, and at night or during periods of rough weather, it is possible to promote the absorption of nutrients by seaweed 11 in the sea where the nutrient concentration is relatively high. Therefore, according to this embodiment of the aquaculture apparatus 100, efficient cultivation of seaweed 11 can be achieved.

[0030] Furthermore, the aquaculture targets of the aquaculture apparatus may be aquatic products other than the seaweed mentioned above. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of an aquaculture apparatus according to a modified example, and shows an example of the apparatus configuration when the target of aquaculture is fish 14. The aquaculture apparatus 200 shown in Figure 5 is equipped with a fish cage as a retaining body 1. The aquaculture apparatus 200 for fish 14 is also preferably constructed using the TLP method, and the floating body 2 to which the fish cage, which is the retaining body 1, is attached is preferably moored by tension mooring. Even when cultivating fish 14, in the event of rough seas such as typhoons, the floating body 2 and the retaining body 1 may sway greatly due to the influence of waves, which may damage the aquaculture apparatus or cause the target fish 14 to be swept away. Similar to the examples shown in Figures 3 and 4, the floating body 2 and the holding body 1 can be moved between a position near the water surface (the position shown in the actual demonstration) and a position submerged in the sea (the position shown by the dashed line) by controlling the winding device 4 with the controller 5 to adjust the amount of cable 3 wound up. Therefore, in the event of rough seas caused by typhoons or other storms, the impact on the aquaculture equipment and the farmed fish can be reduced by submerging the floating body 2 and the holding body 1 in the water.

[0031] Furthermore, the control of the hoisting device 4 by the controller 5 may be automatically controlled by a program based on data including sunrise and sunset times, high and low tide times, and tide levels. In the event of severe weather, the automatic control by the program can be temporarily canceled and the operation of the hoisting device 4 can be controlled remotely from the control terminal 13.

[0032] Furthermore, the above-mentioned aquaculture apparatuses 100 and 200 can be used not only for aquaculture in the ocean, but also for aquaculture in lakes and rivers.

[0033] Furthermore, in the aquaculture apparatuses 100 and 200 described above, a moving mechanism is provided that moves the floating body 2 and the holding body 1 up and down using a winding device 4 that winds up and unwinds the cable 3. However, the moving mechanism is not limited to the winding device 4. For example, a ballast pump that injects seawater into a predetermined closed space inside the hollow floating body 2 or drains seawater from the closed space may be provided as the moving mechanism. In this case, the floating body 2 and the holding body 1 can be moved up and down by adjusting the buoyancy of the floating body 2 by the amount of water injected into the floating body 2 by the ballast pump or the amount of water drained from the floating body 2. As another example, the floating body 2 may be made of a flexible material such as a resin or rubber sheet or waterproof cloth, and a compressor that increases or decreases the amount of gas inside the floating body 2 may be provided as the moving mechanism. In this case, the floating body 2 and the holding body 1 can be moved up and down by adjusting the buoyancy of the floating body 2 by the amount of gas inside the floating body 2 using the compressor. When using a compressor as a moving mechanism, a tubular member (such as a pipe or hose) can be provided, with one end connected to the compressor and the other end maintained above the water surface, so that air can be drawn in from above the water surface.

[0034] Even when the moving mechanism is composed of a ballast pump and a compressor, it is necessary to moor the floating body 2 and the holding body 1, but it is preferable to provide a cable 3 and a hoisting device 4 to perform tension mooring, as in the above embodiment. In this case, a winch or the like with a smaller winding force can be used as the hoisting device 4 compared to when it is used as a moving mechanism. [Industrial applicability]

[0035] The present invention can be used as an aquaculture apparatus for cultivating marine products, and is particularly suitable as an aquaculture apparatus for cultivating seaweed such as kelp and fish on the water. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0036] 1 Holder 2 Floating bodies 3 Cables 4 Winding device 5 Controllers 6 Solar Panels 7. Storage Battery 8. Dock 9 Scaffolding 10 Anchors 100, 200 Aquaculture Equipment

Claims

1. A fisheries farming apparatus for cultivating aquatic products on water, A holder for holding the aquatic products to be cultivated, A floating body connected to the aforementioned holder, which can position the holder near the water surface, A cable connecting the floating body to an anchor installed on the seabed, A moving mechanism for moving the floating body and the holder between a position near the water surface and a position underwater, A fishery farming apparatus comprising a controller for controlling the aforementioned moving mechanism.

2. The aquaculture apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller controls the movement mechanism so that the floating body is located near the water surface during the day and the floating body is located in the water at night.

3. The aquaculture apparatus for fish products according to claim 1, wherein the moving mechanism is a winding device that moves the floating body and the holding body between a position near the water surface and a position underwater by winding up or unwinding the cable.

4. The aquaculture apparatus for fish products according to claim 1, further comprising a winding device for winding up or unwinding the aforementioned cable.

5. The aquaculture apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the controller controls the hoisting device so that the floating body is in a tensioned and moored state.

6. A solar panel is provided on the upper part of the floating body, The system includes a battery for storing electricity generated by the aforementioned solar panel, The aquaculture apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller and the moving mechanism are operable by electricity generated by the solar panel.

7. The aforementioned float is annular, The retaining body is positioned inside the floating body, A landing area provided on the outer periphery of the floating body, The aquaculture apparatus for fish products according to claim 1, further comprising a scaffold provided on the inner circumference of the floating body.

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