Seafood production equipment and seafood production method

Abstract

To provide a seafood production apparatus capable of producing seafood efficiently.SOLUTION: A seafood production apparatus 1 has a buoy 2 floating in a water area S, and a pipe 3 suspended from the buoy 2, for pumping up deep water from a lower opening 4a positioned in a deep layer region S1 in the water area S, up to an upper opening 4b positioned in a surface layer region S2 in the water area S. The pipe 3 has a filter 5 for blocking passage through the upper opening 4b of seafood 8 produced in the pipe 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a seafood production apparatus and a seafood production method. [Background technology]

[0002] Background Art Known seafood production devices and methods are used to produce plankton in bodies of water such as the ocean, using deep water that is rich in minerals (nutritional salts) such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and silicon, and then to produce seafood such as shrimp, squid, and fish using the plankton as food.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes an aquaculture device having a floating structure that floats on the surface of a body of water, and a skirt that is suspended from the floating structure and pumps deep water from a lower opening located in a deep region of the body of water to an upper opening located above the surface of the body of water.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 describes a deep-sea water pumping device that has a buoy floating on a body of water and a pipe suspended from the buoy and pumps deep-sea water from a lower opening located in the deep region of the body of water to an upper opening located in the surface region of the body of water, the deep-sea water discharged from the upper opening of the pipe increasing minerals in the surface region, thereby improving biological production. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-292659 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2001-336479 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the aquaculture device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that much of the equipment is placed above the water surface and has poor resistance to bad weather such as typhoons, making it difficult to produce seafood efficiently.

[0007] Furthermore, in the deep sea water pumping device described in Patent Document 2, the pumped deep sea water becomes diluted in the surface layer area, so there is room for improvement in order to efficiently produce seafood.

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a seafood production apparatus and a seafood production method that can efficiently produce seafood. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A fish and shellfish production apparatus according to some embodiments includes a buoy floating in a water body, and a pipe suspended from the buoy for pumping deep sea water from a lower opening located in a deep area of ​​the water body to an upper opening located in a surface area of ​​the water body, the pipe having a filter for preventing fish and shellfish produced in the pipe from passing through the upper opening. With this configuration, fish and shellfish can be produced in the pipe submerged in the water body, using plankton produced by the deep sea water pumped up from the deep area as food. Therefore, efficient production of fish and shellfish can be realized.

[0010] In one embodiment, the pipe is translucent. With this configuration, the amount of sunlight input into the pipe can be increased, and the production efficiency of plankton can be improved, and as a result, the production efficiency of seafood can be improved.

[0011] In one embodiment, the pipe is made of a thermally conductive film. According to this configuration, after the pipe is first filled with deep sea water by a pump or other means, or while pumping the deep sea water slowly through the pipe, heat is conducted from the outside of the pipe to the inside of the pipe, thereby thoroughly reducing the temperature difference between the water inside and outside the pipe, thereby thoroughly reducing the density difference of the water inside and outside the pipe due to the temperature difference. As a result, the density difference of the water inside and outside the pipe is reversed due to the salt concentration difference (deep sea water has a low concentration), and thus the deep sea water can be easily pumped up (permanent spring method. See Patent Document 2). In addition, by forming the pipe from a film, the pipe can be made easier to handle and more cost-effective.

[0012] In one embodiment, the pipe has a retaining member disposed at a lower end of the pipe so that the pipe extends vertically. With this configuration, a stable production of seafood can be achieved.

[0013] In one embodiment, the inner surface of the pipe has an irregularly shaped portion. With this configuration, turbulence can be generated in the deep sea water being pumped up around the irregularly shaped portion in the pipe, and the turbulence can retain the minerals in the deep sea water and the plankton produced by them, resulting in efficient production of seafood. The irregularly shaped portion is, for example, a convex or concave portion, or a rod-shaped member that crosses the inside of the pipe.

[0014] In one embodiment, the pipe includes a biomass sensor that detects the amount of plankton in the pipe, and a valve that opens and closes the upper opening in response to the amount of plankton in the pipe detected by the biomass sensor. With this configuration, the amount of plankton in the pipe can be adjusted to an amount suitable for cultivating seafood, thereby enabling efficient production of seafood.

[0015] In one embodiment, the pipe includes a rope that is connected to the buoy at the upper end of the pipe, a temperature sensor that detects the water temperature, and a reel that adjusts the length of the rope according to the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor. With this configuration, the length of the rope can be adjusted so that the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor becomes a temperature suitable for seafood, thereby enabling efficient production of seafood.

[0016] In one embodiment, the fish and shellfish production device has a plurality of the pipes, the buoy has a net and a plurality of buoy bodies each held by the net and spaced apart from each other, and the plurality of pipes are individually suspended from the plurality of buoy bodies. With this configuration, a plurality of types of fish and shellfish can be efficiently produced.

[0017] In one embodiment, each of the plurality of pipes includes the rope, the temperature sensor, and the reel. With this configuration, a plurality of types of fish and shellfish can be efficiently produced at water temperatures suitable for each type of fish and shellfish.

[0018] A method for producing seafood according to some embodiments includes a plankton production step of pumping deep sea water from a lower opening located in a deep area of ​​a water area to an upper opening located in a surface area of ​​the water area by a pipe suspended from a buoy floating in the water area, thereby producing plankton in the pipe, and a seafood production step of producing seafood in the pipe using the plankton produced in the plankton production step as food while preventing the seafood in the pipe from passing through the upper opening by a filter. With this configuration, seafood can be produced in the pipe submerged in the water area using the plankton produced by the deep sea water pumped up from the deep area as food. Therefore, efficient production of seafood can be realized.

[0019] In one embodiment, in the plankton production step, the upper opening is opened and closed by a valve in accordance with the amount of plankton in the pipe detected by a biomass sensor. With this configuration, the amount of plankton in the pipe can be adjusted to an amount suitable for cultivating seafood, thereby enabling efficient production of seafood.

[0020] In one embodiment, in the fish and shellfish production step, a length of a rope connected to the buoy at the upper end of the pipe is adjusted by a reel in accordance with the water temperature detected by a temperature sensor provided in the pipe. With this configuration, the length of the rope can be adjusted so that the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor becomes a temperature suitable for fish and shellfish, thereby enabling efficient production of fish and shellfish.

[0021] In one embodiment, in the fish and shellfish production step, the length of the rope connected to the buoy at the upper end of each of the pipes is adjusted by a reel in response to the water temperature detected by a temperature sensor for each of the pipes. With this configuration, multiple types of fish and shellfish can be efficiently produced at appropriate water temperatures. Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a seafood production apparatus and a seafood production method that can efficiently produce seafood. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a seafood production apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of water in the pipe shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of water inside the pipe shown in FIG. 1 when a deformed portion is provided on the inner surface of the pipe. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a pipe used in the seafood production apparatus according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0025] 1 has a buoy 2 floating on a body of water S such as the sea, and a plurality of pipes 3 suspended from the buoy 2. The buoy 2 has a net 2a and a plurality of buoy bodies 2b each held by the net 2a and arranged at intervals from one another, and the plurality of pipes 3 are individually suspended from the plurality of buoy bodies 2b.

[0026] In the state shown in Fig. 1, the multiple buoy bodies 2b are held by the net 2a and float on the water surface with a space between each other, and the multiple pipes 3 are individually suspended from the multiple buoy bodies 2b. The net 2a is flexible.

[0027] Each pipe 3 has a pipe body 4, a filter 5, a rope 6, and a retaining member 7.

[0028] The pipe body 4 is configured to pump deep sea water from a lower opening 4a located in a deep sea area S1 of the water body S to an upper opening 4b located in a surface sea area S2 of the water body S. The deep sea area S1 is an area with a depth of 200 m or more, and is formed by deep sea water rich in minerals such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and silicon. The surface sea area S2 is an area with a depth of 30 m or less. In general, the temperature of water in the water body S is lower the deeper it is. Therefore, the temperature of deep sea water is lower than that of surface water.

[0029] The pipe body 4 is cylindrical with a lower opening 4a at one end and an upper opening 4b at the other end. The lower opening 4a is formed by an edge at one end of the pipe body 4. An opening penetrating in the radial direction may be provided at one end of the pipe body 4, and the lower opening 4a may be formed by this opening. The upper opening 4b is formed by an edge at the other end of the pipe body 4. An opening penetrating in the radial direction may be provided at the other end of the pipe body 4, and the upper opening 4b may be formed by this opening. The pipe body 4 is formed of a flexible plastic film that is translucent and thermally conductive.

[0030] Seafood 8, such as shrimp 8a, squid 8b, and fish 8c, are cultivated as production targets in the pipe body 4. In the state shown in Fig. 1, shrimp 8a, squid 8b, and fish 8c are cultivated in separate pipe bodies 4. The diameter of the pipe body 4 is appropriately set depending on the seafood 8 to be produced, and is, for example, 0.3 to 1 m.

[0031] The filter 5 is configured to allow deep sea water to pass through the upper opening 4b but to prevent seafood 8 produced in the pipe body 4 from passing through the upper opening 4b. The filter 5 is provided at the upper part of the pipe body 4 so as to cover the entire flow path cross section in the pipe body 4. The filter 5 is formed of, for example, a net with finer mesh than the seafood 8.

[0032] The rope 6 is configured to be connected to the buoy 2 at the upper end of the pipe 3. The rope 6 connects the upper end of the pipe body 4 and the buoy body 2b. The rope 6 can be formed of, for example, a rope, a string, a chain, or the like.

[0033] The retaining member 7 is disposed at the lower end of the pipe 3 so that the pipe 3 extends in the vertical direction. The retaining member 7 is composed of multiple weights 7a connected to the lower end of the pipe body 4. The pipe body 4 is stretched in the vertical direction and held in a straight state by the upward traction force of the buoy body 2b and the downward traction force of the retaining member 7. Note that the retaining member 7 is not limited to being composed of multiple or a single weight 7a, and may be composed of, for example, an anchor moored to the bottom surface of the water area S.

[0034] A seafood production method using such a seafood production apparatus 1 has a plankton production step and a seafood production step.

[0035] The plankton production step is a step in which deep water is pumped from a lower opening 4a located in a deep region S1 of the water body S to an upper opening 4b located in a surface region S2 of the water body S using a pipe 3 suspended from a buoy 2 floating in the water body S, thereby producing plankton 9 within the pipe 3.

[0036] In the plankton production step, the deep sea water is slowly pumped up by the pipe body 4 using a pump or the like, while heat is conducted from the outside of the pipe body 4 to the inside of the pipe body 4 to thoroughly reduce the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the pipe body 4, thereby thoroughly reducing the density difference of the water between the inside and outside of the pipe body 4 due to the temperature difference, and thus the deep sea water can be easily pumped up. In addition, when the salt concentration of the deep sea water in the water area S is lower than that of the surface water, the inside of the pipe body 4 is first filled with deep sea water by a pump or other means, and then heat is conducted from the outside of the pipe body 4 to the inside of the pipe body 4 to thoroughly reduce the temperature difference of the water between the inside and outside of the pipe body 4, thereby thoroughly reducing the density difference of the water between the inside and outside of the pipe body 4 due to the temperature difference, and as a result, the density difference of the water between the inside and outside of the pipe body 4 is reversed due to the salt concentration difference (deep sea water has a low concentration), and thus the deep sea water can be easily pumped up (permanent spring method. See Patent Document 2). In addition, pumping by a pump or the like may be used in combination with this permanent spring method.

[0037] By supplying deep water rich in minerals to the surface area where sunlight reaches, that is, to the upper part of the pipe body 4, plankton 9 proliferates in the upper part of the pipe body 4. In other words, the sunlight and minerals cause phytoplankton to proliferate, and zooplankton, which feed on the phytoplankton, also proliferate.

[0038] At that time, the flow inside the pipe body 4 is as shown in Figure 2. That is, in the region in contact with the inner surface of the pipe body 4 that is directly subjected to the conduction of heat via the pipe body 4, the deep sea water flows in a laminar flow that smoothly ascends. In the internal region located radially inward of the laminar flow, turbulent flow occurs due to natural convection.

[0039] This turbulence stirs up the rising deep water and the plankton 9, so that the plankton 9 is constantly exposed to high concentrations of minerals and can easily absorb the minerals they need to grow.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of irregularly shaped parts 4c may be provided on the inner surface of the pipe body 4. By providing the irregularly shaped parts 4c on the inner surface of the pipe body 4, turbulence can be more reliably generated within the pipe body 4, promoting the proliferation of plankton 9. In FIG. 3, each irregularly shaped part 4c is configured as a ring-shaped protrusion 4c extending all around the circumferential direction of the pipe body 4. The irregularly shaped part 4c is not limited to a protrusion 4c, and may be configured as, for example, a recess or a rod-shaped member that crosses the pipe body 4. The number of irregularly shaped parts 4c is not limited to a plurality, and may be a single number.

[0041] The seafood production step is a step in which seafood 8 is produced within the pipe 3 using the plankton 9 produced in the plankton production step as food, while the filter 5 prevents the seafood 8 within the pipe 3 from passing through the upper opening 4b.

[0042] In the fish and shellfish production step, when the plankton 9 has sufficiently multiplied, eggs or juvenile fish of the fish and shellfish 8 to be produced are introduced into the pipe body 4, thereby cultivating the fish and shellfish 8. At that time, a plurality of kinds of fish and shellfish 8 may be cultivated in each pipe body 4. For example, when the diameter of the pipe body 4 is sufficiently large, a partition is provided to divide at least a part of the pipe body 4 in the radial direction (extending in the extension direction, i.e., running vertically) to divide the culture areas of various kinds of fish and shellfish, so that a plurality of kinds of fish and shellfish with different habitats (water depths) can be cultivated in one pipe body 4. Also, when the overall length of the pipe body 4 is sufficiently long, a partition is provided to divide at least a part of the pipe body 4 in the extension direction (extending in the radial direction, i.e., running transversely) to divide the culture areas of various kinds of fish and shellfish, so that a plurality of kinds of fish and shellfish with different habitats (water depths) can be cultivated in one pipe body 4.

[0043] According to the fish and shellfish production method of this embodiment, fish and shellfish 8 can be produced in a pipe 3 submerged in a water area S, using plankton 9 produced from deep sea water pumped up from a deep area S1 as food. Therefore, since the pipe main body 4, which is an important facility for aquaculture, is not located above the water surface, excellent resistance to bad weather such as typhoons can be obtained, and the pumped up deep sea water can be efficiently used for the production of fish and shellfish 8. Therefore, efficient production of fish and shellfish 8 can be realized.

[0044] Each pipe 3 used in the first embodiment may further include a biomass sensor 10, a valve 11, a temperature sensor 12, and a reel 13, as shown in Fig. 4. The fish and shellfish production apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, except that each pipe 3 has the configuration shown in Fig. 4. In Fig. 4, elements corresponding to those shown in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0045] The biomass sensor 10 is configured to detect the amount of plankton 9 in the pipe body 4. The biomass sensor 10 is disposed at the upper part of the pipe body 4. The position of the biomass sensor 10 is not limited thereto. However, the biomass sensor 10 is preferably disposed near the place where the fish and shellfish 8 are cultured so that the amount of plankton 9 in the vicinity of the fish and shellfish 8 to be produced can be measured. The valve 11 is configured to open and close the upper opening 4b so that the amount of plankton 9 in the pipe body 4 detected by the biomass sensor 10 becomes an amount suitable for cultivating the fish and shellfish 8. In this embodiment, the opening formed by the edge at the upper end of the pipe body 4 is closed by a lid 14 having an upper opening 4b. The valve 11 is disposed at the upper opening 4b of the lid 14.

[0046] The temperature sensor 12 is configured to detect the water temperature at the upper part of the pipe 3. That is, the temperature sensor 12 is disposed at the upper part of the pipe main body 4. The position of the temperature sensor 12 is not limited thereto. However, the temperature sensor 12 is preferably disposed near the place where the seafood 8 are cultivated so that the temperature of the water in the vicinity of the seafood 8 to be produced can be measured. The reel 13 is configured to adjust the length of the rope 6 according to the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 12. The reel 13 can shorten the rope 6 by winding up the rope 6 and raise the pipe main body 4, and can lengthen the rope 6 by letting out the rope 6 and lower the pipe main body 4.

[0047] The operations of the valve 11 and the reel 13 are controlled by a control device such as a computer (not shown). In other words, the valve 11 and the reel 13 are electrically operated machines.

[0048] When using the seafood production apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, in the plankton production step, the upper opening 4b is opened and closed by the valve 11 to adjust the flow rate of the pumped deep sea water so that the amount of plankton 9 in the pipe 3 detected by the biomass sensor 10 becomes an amount suitable for cultivating the seafood 8. When increasing the amount of plankton 9 supplied to the seafood 8, the opening of the valve 11 is increased to increase the flow rate. When reducing the amount of plankton 9 supplied to the seafood 8, the opening of the valve 11 is reduced to reduce the flow rate. This allows the seafood 8 to be produced efficiently.

[0049] In the seafood production step, the length of the rope 6 connected to the buoy 2 at the upper end of the pipe 3 is adjusted by the reel 13 in accordance with the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 12 so that the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 12 for each of the multiple pipes 3 is suitable for the seafood 8, thereby adjusting the depth of the pipe body 4. This allows multiple types of seafood 8 to be efficiently produced at individually suitable water temperatures.

[0050] According to the above-mentioned embodiment, it is possible to stably secure seafood 8, which is a protein source essential for human survival, in response to future food shortages due to global population growth and global warming. In addition, while conventional aquaculture uses bait based on caught wild fish, which accelerates the decline of natural resources, in the above-mentioned embodiment, production is performed from bait based on nutritional resources present in the deep area S1, so that marine resources can be increased globally. According to the above-mentioned embodiment, biological production of plankton 9 and the like is performed from the pumped deep water, and the carcasses sink to the deep area S1, where they are decomposed and used again for biological production, thereby realizing regenerative and circulatory production. In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the pumped deep water is not diluted in the surface area S2 and is provided to the aquaculture area in the pipe 3 where the seafood 8 is cultured, so that only a small amount of water needs to be pumped up, which has little impact on the environment and ecosystem.

[0051] The above-described embodiment is an example of the present disclosure, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible.

[0052] For example, the seafood producing apparatus 1 and the seafood producing method according to the above-described embodiments can be modified in various ways as described below.

[0053] The seafood production apparatus 1 according to the embodiment described above comprises a buoy 2 floating in a body of water S, and a pipe 3 suspended from the buoy 2 for pumping deep water from a lower opening 4a located in a deep area S1 of the body of water S to an upper opening 4b located in a surface area S2 of the body of water S, and various modifications of the pipe 3 are possible as long as the pipe 3 has a filter 5 for preventing seafood 8 produced in the pipe 3 from passing through the upper opening 4b.

[0054] However, it is preferable that the pipe 3 is light-transmitting. It is also preferable that the pipe 3 is formed of a thermally conductive film. It is also preferable that the pipe 3 has a holding member 7 disposed at the lower end of the pipe 3 so that the pipe 3 extends vertically. It is also preferable that the inner surface of the pipe 3 has an irregularly shaped portion 4c.

[0055] It is also preferable that the pipe 3 has a biomass sensor 10 that detects the amount of plankton 9 in the pipe 3, and a valve 11 that opens and closes the upper opening 4b depending on the amount of plankton 9 in the pipe 3 detected by the biomass sensor 10.

[0056] It is also preferable that the pipe 3 has a rope 6 that connects to the buoy 2 at the upper end of the pipe 3, a temperature sensor 12 that detects the water temperature at the upper part of the pipe 3, and a reel 13 that adjusts the length of the rope 6 depending on the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 12.

[0057] Moreover, it is preferable that the seafood production apparatus 1 has a plurality of pipes 3, the buoy 2 has a net 2a and a plurality of buoy bodies 2b each held by the net 2a and spaced apart from one another, and that the plurality of pipes 3 are individually suspended from the plurality of buoy bodies 2b. It is also preferable that each of the plurality of pipes 3 has a rope 6, a temperature sensor 12, and a reel 13.

[0058] The seafood production method according to the embodiment described above can be modified in various ways, as long as it includes a plankton production step in which deep water is pumped from a lower opening 4a located in the deep area S1 of the water area S to an upper opening 4b located in the surface area S2 of the water area S using a pipe 3 suspended from a buoy 2 floating in the water area S, thereby producing plankton 9 within the pipe 3, and a seafood production step in which seafood 8 are produced within the pipe 3 using the plankton 9 produced in the plankton production step as food, while the fish and shellfish 8 within the pipe 3 are prevented from passing through the upper opening 4b by a filter 5.

[0059] However, in the plankton production step, it is preferable to open and close the upper opening 4b by the valve 11 depending on the amount of plankton 9 in the pipe 3 detected by the biomass sensor 10.

[0060] In the seafood production step, it is preferable to adjust the length of the rope 6 connected to the buoy 2 at the upper end of the pipe 3 by the reel 13 in accordance with the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 12 provided on the pipe 3. In the seafood production step, it is preferable to adjust the length of the rope 6 connected to the buoy 2 at the upper end of the pipe 3 by the reel 13 in accordance with the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 12 for each of the multiple pipes 3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1. Seafood production equipment 2 Buoy 2a Net 2b Buoy body 3. Pipe 4 Pipe body 4a Lower opening 4b Top opening 4c Unusual part 5. Filters 6. Rope 7 Retaining member 7a weight 8. Seafood 8a Shrimp 8b Squid 8c fish 9. Plankton 10. Biomass Sensor 11 Valve 12 Temperature Sensor 13 Reel 14 Lid S Water area S1 Deep region S2 surface area

Claims

1. A buoy floating in the water, a pipe suspended from the buoy for pumping deep water from a lower opening located in a deep region of the body of water to an upper opening located in a surface region of the body of water; The pipe has a filter that prevents seafood produced within the pipe from passing through the upper opening. Seafood production equipment.

2. The fish and shellfish production apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the pipe is translucent.

3. 3. The fish and shellfish production apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pipes are formed of a thermally conductive film.

4. The fish and shellfish production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pipe has a retaining member arranged at a lower end of the pipe so that the pipe extends vertically.

5. The seafood production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pipe has a biomass sensor that detects the amount of plankton in the pipe, and a valve that opens and closes the upper opening depending on the amount of plankton in the pipe detected by the biomass sensor.

6. The seafood production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pipe has a rope connected to the buoy at an upper end of the pipe, a temperature sensor for detecting water temperature, and a reel for adjusting the length of the rope according to the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

7. A plankton production step in which deep sea water is pumped from a lower opening located in a deep area of ​​the water area to an upper opening located in a surface area of ​​the water area by a pipe suspended from a buoy floating in the water area, thereby producing plankton in the pipe; a seafood production step of producing the seafood in the pipe using the plankton produced in the plankton production step as food, while preventing the seafood in the pipe from passing through the upper opening by a filter. Seafood production methods.

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