Underwater forest block structure and algal reef provided with the underwater forest block structure

Abstract

To provide a marine forest block structure that allows seaweed to flourish and grow even in areas with large tidal variations and can prevent feeding damage from algae-eating aquatic organisms.SOLUTION: A marine forest block structure 10 is capable of floating in the ocean below sea level to allow seaweed to flourish and grow, and is equipped with a seaweed bed base block 20 on whose upper surface a seaweed bed 21 that allows seaweed to flourish and grow is formed, a float 30 for floating the seaweed bed base block 20, and a mooring device 40 for floating the seaweed bed base block 20 in the ocean and mooring it to the seabed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for providing a sea forest block structure for preserving and improving a sea forest in which seaweeds grow and thrive, and a seaweed bed reef provided with the sea forest block structure.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, seaweed bed growth reefs for growing seaweeds have been used by piling up natural rock formations, or tetra pods, concrete blocks, various concrete products, etc., or by disposing natural stones therebetween, and various contrivances have been made. Among seaweeds, there are, for example, seaweeds of the Laminariaceae family such as kombu, arame, kajime, and kuroime as large seaweeds, and a sea forest that is a community of seaweeds is formed. This sea forest is a spawning ground for fish and shellfish that is so-called the "cradle of the sea", and is a barricade for protecting fish farming.

[0003] However, in recent years, in coastal waters around the world, seaweeds have disappeared due to factors such as the rise in seawater temperature caused by global warming. Or in a sea area where the difference between high and low tides of seawater is large, for example, there is a tidal range of about 3 m (meters), so sunlight does not stay sufficiently at high tide, and photosynthesis of seaweeds and the like cannot be sufficiently carried out. For this reason, the community of seaweeds (so-called sea forest) has extremely decreased. Furthermore, various causes such as predation by herbivorous fish and shellfish in the sea cause seaweeds to die, and a phenomenon of beach burning occurs in which fish and shellfish that have lived in the seaweed bed decrease.

[0004] In order to prevent global warming, which can be said to be a direct or indirect cause of the beach burning phenomenon, "blue carbon" has attracted attention as a new carbon dioxide absorption method. Blue carbon is what was named by the United Nations Environment Programme in 2009, and refers to carbon taken into marine ecosystems such as seaweed beds and shallow fields. Blue carbon ecosystems include seagrass beds, seaweed beds, saline wetlands, tidal flats, and mangrove forests. A part of the carbon dioxide emitted on the earth is photosynthesized in the marine ecosystem and stored as organic carbon. On the other hand, organic carbon that is photosynthesized and taken into forests on land is called green carbon. In addition, blue carbon has a fixation ability with an absorption rate comparable to or higher than that of the green carbon in forests.

[0005] However, as described above, due to the phenomenon of rocky shore burning, the seaweed community, which is a blue carbon ecosystem, has been significantly damaged, resulting in a so-called decrease in blue carbon. As part of the efforts to solve this problem, it is necessary to regenerate and create the disappeared algal beds in order to preserve and improve the blue carbon ecosystem.

[0006] In this regard, various methods and forms for creating underwater forests have been developed in the past. For example, in the underwater forest creation method in Patent Document 1, seaweed seedlings are attached to some of the columns of a construction structure with a plurality of columns erected on the base, and seaweed is also made to grow on other columns through the spores released from these seaweed seedlings. The seaweed seedlings that have grown on these columns serve as nuclei and spread throughout the entire construction structure. Furthermore, seaweed also grows in the surrounding area.

[0007] Also, in the underwater forest creation method in Patent Document 2, a plurality of construction structure groups each consisting of a construction structure with seaweed seedlings attached are formed with intervals between them. A fishing area where a fishing net can be inserted is formed between the algal beds formed by these construction structure groups. Columnar structures with seaweed seedlings attached to the columns erected on the base are arranged in a plurality of rows that are substantially orthogonal to the direction of the ocean current and substantially parallel to each other. This forms a good algal bed, enables stable reproduction of fish and shellfish, and provides an arrangement suitable for fishing operations.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the construction structure is installed on the seabed. However, the seabed is not always flat and often has undulations with height differences. In this case, the base of the construction structure is often installed in an inclined state, so the columns provided perpendicular to the base will be inclined. In the above-mentioned construction structure and group of construction structures, in order to favorably promote the attachment and growth of seaweed spores on a plurality or a large number of columns, it is an important factor that each column is erected in a vertical state. In fact, it requires a great deal of labor and equipment to make the undulating state of the seabed flat to a certain extent in order to install each column in a vertical state.

[0010] In addition, since the base and the lower part of the column of the above-mentioned construction structure may be buried by the deposition of sand and mud on the seabed, the growth of seaweed will be halved. In this case, even if seaweed grows on the upper part of the column, it may be damaged by algivorous fish and shellfish. Although columns are provided, it is not always sufficient to prevent damage by algivorous fish and shellfish.

[0011] Moreover, in sea areas where the difference between high and low tides of seawater is severe due to global warming as described above, especially during high tide, sunlight does not stay sufficiently, and photosynthesis of seaweeds and the like cannot be carried out sufficiently. However, since the conventional construction structure and group of construction structures are installed on the seabed, they cannot cope with this situation.

[0012] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and enables the growth and cultivation of seaweeds and prevents damage by algivorous fish and shellfish even in sea areas where the difference between high and low tides of seawater is severe due to global warming or regardless of the undulating state of the seabed, and provides a submerged forest block structure.

[0013] Furthermore, it aims to provide a seaweed reef that enables the cultivation of algivorous fish and shellfish and fish and shellfish within a predetermined area. Thereby, by preserving and improving the blue carbon ecosystem, it aims to take measures against global warming and activate the exhausted fishery industry.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0014] The invention according to claim 1 is a submerged forest block structure that enables seaweeds to grow and thrive by floating them in the sea below the sea surface, and includes a seaweed bed base block having a seaweed bed formed on the upper surface for growing and thriving seaweeds, a floating body for floating the seaweed bed base block, and a mooring device for floating the seaweed bed base block in the sea and mooring it to the seabed. comprising, the seaweed bed base block forms a seaweed bed hole portion with an upper surface opening on the upper surface, and peat mortar for growing seaweeds is accommodated inside the seaweed bed hole portion It is characterized by the above.

[0016] The invention according to claim 2 is, in the above item 1, The seaweed bed base block is characterized by including a plurality of seaweed cartridge holes formed in parallel on the upper surface at appropriate intervals, and a seaweed cartridge with an upper surface opening that is formed to be insertable into and removable from the seaweed cartridge holes and contains peat mortar for growing and thriving seaweeds.

[0017] The invention according to claim 3 is, in the above item 1 or 2, It is characterized in that a plurality of seaweed seedling adherents with at least one of seaweed spores, larvae, or mature bodies adhered thereto are dispersed and put into the peat mortar.

[0018] The invention according to claim 4 is, in the above item 1 or 2, The peat mortar is characterized by being composed of mixing peat containing organic acids effective for growing and thriving seaweeds and a cement solidifying material.

[0019] The invention according to claim 5 is, in the above item 1 or 2, The seaweed bed base block is characterized by providing a support column that penetrates vertically at approximately the center of the upper surface, extending the support column downward at least from the lower surface of the seaweed bed base block, and connecting the lower end of this support column to the mooring device.

[0020] The invention according to claim 6 is, in the above item 5, The support column is characterized by being made of a material having buoyancy.

Advantages of the Invention

[0025] According to claim 1 of the present invention, since a seaweed bed is formed in the sea below the sea surface, even if the difference in the ebb and flow of seawater is large due to global warming or the like, it is possible to adjust to maintain a certain depth from the sea surface so that sunlight always hits the seaweed. The depth of the seaweed bed base block from the sea surface can be adjusted by a mooring device. Therefore, since seaweeds surely grow and thrive in the seaweed bed, it serves as a countermeasure against rocky shore burning. Furthermore, since the seaweed bed base block is moored with a mooring device and floated in the sea, it is possible to prevent damage by algivorous fish and shellfish. In addition, since the seaweeds that have grown and thrived can be used as feed for algivorous fish and shellfish, it becomes possible to cultivate algivorous fish and shellfish. Also, since the seaweeds Flourishing growth enable fish farming. In addition, the peat mortar becomes a seaweed bed for growing seaweeds. If the growth and harvest of seaweeds are repeated several times over the years, it is necessary to replace the peat mortar. However, since the seaweed bed is formed in the seaweed bed hole portion with an upper surface opening, it is easy to replace the peat mortar with a crane mounted on a ship from the sea, for example.

[0027] According to the present invention Claim 2 By inserting a plurality of seaweed cartridges into a plurality of holes for each seaweed cartridge, the peat mortar contained in each seaweed cartridge becomes a seaweed bed where seaweeds grow and thrive. If the growth and harvesting of seaweeds are repeated several times over several years, it is necessary to replace the peat mortar. At this time, each seaweed cartridge can be easily replaced with a new peat mortar by extracting it from the hole for the seaweed cartridge and inserting a new seaweed cartridge into the hole for the seaweed cartridge. Furthermore, the seaweed cartridge extracted from the above-mentioned hole for the seaweed cartridge can be reused after being replaced with a new peat mortar.

[0028] According to the present invention Claim 3 By dispersing and putting a plurality of seaweed seedling attachments into the peat mortar, the settlement and growth of seaweeds by spores, larvae or adults of seaweeds pre-attached to the seaweed seedling attachments are promoted.

[0029] According to the present invention Claim 4 Since the peat mortar contains organic acids such as fulvic acid and humic acid effective for seaweeds, it is possible to promote the growth and thriving of seaweeds. Since the above-mentioned organic acids are mediated by iron ions, the growth of seaweeds is improved by these iron ions.

[0030] According to the present invention Claim 5According to this, since the support passes vertically through approximately the center of the upper surface of the seaweed bed base block and extends downward from the lower surface of the seaweed bed base block, the center of gravity of the entire structure is located below the seaweed bed base block. Additionally, since the lower end of the support is connected to the mooring device, the support is constantly pulled downward. As a result, the upper surface of the seaweed bed base block is maintained in a stable state almost parallel to the sea surface.

[0031] According to the present invention Claim 6 According to this, when the support is, for example, made of wood, the wood itself has buoyancy, so it floats the seaweed bed base block. Furthermore, the wood itself gives vitality to fish.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0036]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0037] Hereinafter, the sea forest block structure according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the sea forest block structure 10 of the present embodiment basically includes a seaweed bed base block 20 having a seaweed bed 21 for growing and cultivating seaweeds formed on its upper surface, a floating body 30 for floating the seaweed bed base block 20, and a mooring device 40 for floating the seaweed bed base block 20 in the sea and mooring it to the seabed.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the underwater forest block structure 10 has a seaweed bed base block 20 that floats by the buoyancy provided by the floating body 30, and the mooring device 40 can hold the seaweed bed base block 20 floating at a certain depth underwater. Therefore, the depth from the sea surface to the upper surface of the seaweed bed base block 20 can be adjusted by the mooring device 40. The feature of the underwater forest block structure 10 of this embodiment is that it enables the seaweed bed base block 20 to grow seaweeds in a floating state underwater.

[0039] Basically, the seaweed bed base block 20 forms a seaweed bed 21 for growing seaweeds on its upper surface, and various forms can be devised for this purpose. For example, on the upper surface of the seaweed bed base block 20, a seaweed bed hole part with an upper surface opening can be formed, and peat mortar for growing seaweeds can be accommodated inside this seaweed bed hole part.

[0040] Therefore, the peat mortar provided on the upper surface of the seaweed bed base block 20 becomes the seaweed bed 21 for growing seaweeds. In the case of this embodiment, when the growth and harvesting of seaweeds are repeated several times over several years, it is necessary to replace the peat mortar. However, since the seaweed bed 21 is formed in the seaweed bed hole part with an upper surface opening, the peat mortar can be replaced, for example, by a crane mounted on a ship from the sea.

[0041] The peat mortar is composed of peat containing organic acids effective for growing seaweeds and a cement solidifying material. Therefore, since the peat mortar contains organic acids such as fulvic acid and humic acid effective for seaweeds, it can promote the growth of seaweeds. Since the above-mentioned organic acids mediate iron ions, the growth of seaweeds is improved by these iron ions. In addition, when the organic acids mediate iron ions to seaweeds, negative ions are generated, and these negative ions contribute to purifying seawater. In addition, the peat mortar contains proteins and the like that are effective for plankton, and they combine with nitrogen N, phosphorus P, and potassium K ions and are absorbed into the bodies of plankton. Also, phytoplankton contributes to the generation of zooplankton. Furthermore, since the weight of the peat mortar is about 1.1 kg / L and it is easy to handle, it is also possible to work from a small boat when replacing the peat mortar.

[0042] Also, as a sea forest block structure 10 of another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, in the algal bed base block 20, a plurality of seaweed cartridge holes 22,..., 22 are formed in parallel at appropriate intervals on its upper surface. In this embodiment, it has a circular cross-section, but it may have a square or other cross-sectional shape and is not particularly limited.

[0043] Furthermore, the plurality of seaweed cartridges 23,..., 23 are formed to be insertable into and removable from the plurality of seaweed cartridge holes 22,..., 22, and each seaweed cartridge 23,..., 23 is a cylindrical container with an upper surface opening and contains the peat mortar 21a for growing seaweeds luxuriantly. It should be noted that it is desirable that each seaweed cartridge 23,..., 23 be formed to be compatible with any of the seaweed cartridge holes 22,..., 22. The fact that the seaweed cartridge hole 22 and the seaweed cartridge 23 have a circular cross-section is desirable in terms of being easily processed to provide compatibility, but these cross-sectional shapes are not particularly limited.

[0044] Each of the above seaweed cartridges 23 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the seaweed cartridge 23 is a cylindrical container with an upper surface opening and contains the peat mortar 21a for growing seaweeds luxuriantly. In this peat mortar 21a, in FIG. 2, eight steel bars 23a,..., 23a for seaweed attachment are inserted at appropriate intervals and deeply into the bottom of the seaweed cartridge 23. The steel bars 23a,..., 23a for seaweed attachment are seaweed seedling attachment bodies with seaweed spores, larvae, or mature bodies attached in advance. Therefore, since the spores, larvae or mature forms of seaweed pre-attached to each seaweed growth steel bar 23a, ···, 23a are dispersed and put into the peat mortar 21a, the settlement and growth of seaweed are further promoted.

[0045] Note that the seaweed seedling attachment body is not limited to materials and shapes such as the seaweed growth steel bar 23a. For example, it may have shapes such as rod-shaped, plate-shaped, chip-shaped, or small pieces, long-shaped, or other shapes. Also, the material is not limited to steel, and may be other metals, or wood, or other materials.

[0046] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the seaweed cartridge 23 forms a hook portion 23b that protrudes upward from the surface of the peat mortar 21a at a substantially central position of the circular upper surface opening. For example, the U-shaped rod-shaped hook portion 23b fixes the U-shaped end to the bottom of the seaweed cartridge 23. When pulling out the seaweed cartridge 23 from the seaweed cartridge hole portion 22, the lifting tool can be hooked on the hook portion 23b and easily pulled out. Conversely, the seaweed cartridge 23 can be transported by hooking the lifting tool on the hook portion 23b and inserted into a desired seaweed cartridge hole portion 22.

[0047] Note that the inventor has manufactured cylindrical seaweed cartridges 23 in four types of dimensions, namely type A, B, C, and D, as embodiments of the seaweed cartridge 23. Type A has a diameter of 12 cm and a height of 15 cm. Type B has a diameter of 18 cm and a height of 15 cm. Type C has a diameter of 12 cm and a height of 30 cm. Type D has a diameter of 18 cm and a height of 30 cm. Among the above, it was found that the peat inside the cylindrical seaweed cartridges 23 with a height of 30 cm (type C and D) can be dissolved. By setting the size as above, it is possible to match the spores of the seaweed to be embedded and the size of the seaweed when it grows, and it becomes easier for the mixed components to be released.

[0048] From the above, by inserting a plurality of seaweed cartridges 23, ···, 23 into the plurality of holes 22, ···, 22 for seaweed cartridges, the peat mortars 21a, ···, 21a accommodated in each seaweed cartridge 23, ···, 23 become seaweed beds 21 where seaweeds grow luxuriantly. After repeating the growth and harvesting of seaweeds several times over several years, it is necessary to replace the peat mortars 21a, ···, 21a. At this time, the seaweed cartridge 23 can be easily removed from the hole 22 for seaweed cartridge. Furthermore, by inserting a new seaweed cartridge 23 into the hole 22 for seaweed cartridge, it can be easily replaced with a new peat mortar 21a. Furthermore, the seaweed cartridge 23 removed from the hole 22 for seaweed cartridge can be reused after being replaced with a new peat mortar 21a.

[0049] Next, the floating body 30 will be described in detail. The floating body 30 only needs to provide buoyancy to float the seaweed bed base block 20. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the floating body 30 is a styrofoam 31, and it is attached so that buoyancy is transmitted to the entire lower surface of the seaweed bed base block 20. This floating body 30 is approximately the same size as the lower surface of the seaweed bed base block 20 and has a thickness sufficient to obtain the required buoyancy. Since the styrofoam 31 is easy to mold, it is desirable in terms of easily adapting to the shape and size of the seaweed bed base block 20.

[0050] In this embodiment, a support column 24 that penetrates vertically is attached at approximately the center position on the upper surface of the seaweed bed base block 20. That is, support column holes 25 that penetrate vertically are formed in both the seaweed bed base block 20 and the floating body 30, and the support column 24 is inserted into the support column holes 25. The upper end side of the support column 24 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the seaweed bed base block 20, and a stopper hole 24a perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the support column 24 is formed in this protruding portion. A stopper 24b that engages with the upper surface of the seaweed bed base block 20 is inserted into the stopper hole 24a. The lower end side of the support column 24 extends downward from the lower surface of the seaweed bed base block 20, and the lower end of this support column 24 is connected to the mooring device 40.

[0051] As described above, since the support column 24 passes vertically through substantially the center of the upper surface of the seaweed bed base block 20 and extends downward from the lower surface of the seaweed bed base block 20, the center of gravity of the entire structure is located below the seaweed bed base block 20. Moreover, since the lower end of the support column 24 is connected to the mooring device 40, a downward pulling force is always applied to the support column 24. On the other hand, the buoyancy of the seaweed bed base block 20 is suppressed by the stopper 24b on the upper end side of the support column 24. For these reasons, the upper surface of the seaweed bed base block 20 is maintained in a stable state substantially parallel to the sea surface.

[0052] It is desirable that the support column 24 is made of a material having buoyancy, but this is not the case in all situations. For example, when the support column 24 is made of wood, the wood itself has buoyancy, which contributes to floating the seaweed bed base block 20. Furthermore, since the wood itself gives vitality to fish, it is desirable. In this embodiment, an oak tree is used as the support column 24. Since the oak tree contains specific components, freshwater barnacles breed, and these freshwater barnacles serve as food for fish.

[0053] The above-described seaweed bed base block 20 connects the lower end of the support column 24 to the mooring device 40, but is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the support column 24 may not be used, or the floating body 30 may be in other embodiments. Furthermore, the seaweed bed base block 20 can be connected to the mooring device 40 at a substantially central position on the lower end side, or at any plurality of locations. Alternatively, it can be connected to the mooring device 40 in other embodiments. However, in any of the above cases, it is necessary to maintain a stable state in which the upper surface of the seaweed bed base block 20 is substantially parallel to the sea surface.

[0054] Furthermore, other embodiments of the floating body 30 will be described. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the floating body 30 is a float 32 made of a sealed steel pipe. This float 32 is attached and fixed so as to surround the outer periphery of the side surface of the seaweed bed base block 20. Although FIG. 3 shows an integral float 32, the divided floats 32 can be attached to each side surface of the seaweed bed base block 20. Further, by adjusting the volume inside the float 32, sufficient buoyancy corresponding to the seaweed bed base block 20 can be obtained, and the overall structure becomes compact. Moreover, since the steel pipe has sufficient strength to withstand large impacts such as tidal currents, the seaweed bed base block 20 is protected from various impacts. Note that the material and shape of the float 32 may be in other forms and are not particularly limited.

[0055] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the floating body 30 is a plastic sphere 33. A plurality of plastic spheres 33,..., 33 are attached at appropriate intervals along the outer periphery of the upper part of the seaweed bed base block 20. In this embodiment, eight hooks 33a,..., 33a are provided at appropriate intervals along the outer periphery of the upper surface of the seaweed bed base block 20, and eight plastic spheres 33,..., 33 are connected to each of the hooks 33a,..., 33a by connecting members such as chains 33b,..., 33b.

[0056] This plastic sphere 33 is inexpensive, and the number of plastic spheres 33 can be increased or decreased according to the size and weight of the seaweed bed base block 20. Further, even if one sphere 33 is damaged due to some impact, the other spheres 33,..., 33 can cover it, and the damaged sphere 33 can be easily replaced. Note that the material and shape of the sphere 33 may be in other forms and are not particularly limited.

[0057] Next, the mooring device 40 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 1, the mooring device 40 of this embodiment has a configuration in which the seaweed bed base block 20 is connected to an anchor block 41 having a function of being fixed to the seabed by a chain 42. The anchor block 41 refers to a block that serves to transmit and fix approximately to the seabed. In FIG. 1, as a method of connecting the seaweed bed base block 20 and the anchor block 41 with a chain 42, one end side of the chain 42 is connected to the hook portion 41a of the anchor block 41 via a shackle 43, a hook portion 24c is provided at the lower end of the support column 24 attached to the seaweed bed base block 20, and the other end side of the chain 42 is connected to this hook portion 24c via a shackle 43.

[0058] Therefore, the anchor block 41 can be easily installed at a predetermined position regardless of the undulating state of the seabed's height difference. That is, even if the anchor block 41 tilts or lies horizontally due to the undulation of the seabed, since it is connected by the chain 42, it does not affect the function of the seaweed bed base block 20 at all. Also, by changing the connection point of the chain 42, the depth from the sea surface to the upper surface of the seaweed bed base block 20 can be easily adjusted. Further, since the seaweed bed base block 20 is connected by the chain 42, it is difficult for algivorous fish and shellfish 51 to climb the chain 42, so damage by feeding can be prevented.

[0059] Next, the overall operation of the above-described underwater forest block structure 10 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the underwater forest block structure 10 of the present embodiment forms a seaweed bed 21 in the sea below the sea surface. Therefore, even if the difference between high and low tides of seawater is large due to global warming or the like, it can be adjusted to maintain a certain depth from the sea surface so that sunlight always hits the seaweed. This is because, as described above, the depth of the seaweed bed base block 20 from the sea surface can be adjusted by the mooring device 40. As a result, seaweeds surely grow and thrive in the seaweed bed 21, and an underwater forest 11 is formed.

[0060] Also, since the seaweed bed base block 20 is moored by the mooring device 40 and floated in the sea, damage by feeding of algivorous fish and shellfish 51 can be prevented.

[0061] Therefore, the seaweed community (underwater forest 11) on the verge of depletion due to the phenomenon of rock burning can be restored, and the seaweeds that have thrived and grown can provide food for the algivorous fish and shellfish 51 living on the seabed, enabling the cultivation of the algivorous fish and shellfish 51. Also, since the seaweeds Flourishing growth enable the cultivation of the fish 52. As a result, a large amount of blue carbon can be absorbed by the seaweed community (underwater forest 11), contributing to the activation of the fisheries industry through the cultivation of seaweeds, sea urchins, and fish 52.

[0062] Next, the algal reef of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 5, for the algal reef 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of underwater forest block structures 10 of the present embodiment are installed within a predetermined area. Since all of the plurality of underwater forest block structures 10,..., 10 within the predetermined area have the same effects as described above, the algal reef 1 is formed in the sea below the sea surface, and seaweeds surely thrive and grow to form underwater forests 11,..., 10. As a result, the algal reef 1 of the present embodiment forms a so-called "seaweed forest" in which the underwater forests 11,..., 10 are disorderly arranged, contributing to the preservation and improvement of the blue carbon ecosystem and the activation of the exhausted fisheries industry as a countermeasure against global warming.

[0063] The plurality of underwater forest block structures 10,..., 10 can be arranged so that even if each algal reef base block 20,..., 20 is inclined by 30° with respect to the vertical line passing through the connecting portion (hook portion 41a) of the anchor blocks 41,..., 41, it does not contact the adjacent algal reef base blocks 20,..., 20. As a result, even if the sea becomes rough due to the weather, it is difficult for the adjacent algal reef base blocks 20,..., 20 to collide, improving the durability of each underwater forest block structure 10,..., 10.

[0064] Furthermore, the algal reef 1 of the present embodiment can form a fish basket 2 surrounding the entire perimeter of the plurality of underwater forest block structures 10,..., 10 within the predetermined area with a fishing net 3. As a result, the algivorous fish and shellfish 51 can be fed with the thriving seaweeds, enabling the cultivation of the algivorous fish and shellfish 51. Also, since the seaweedsFlourishing growth to form underwater forests 11, ···, 10, enabling the cultivation of fish 52.

Industrial Applicability

[0065] The present invention has applicability in a wide range of fields related to the preservation and improvement of seaweed communities (underwater forests), which are blue carbon ecosystems.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0066] 1 Seaweed bed reef 2 Artificial reef 3 Fishing net 10 Underwater forest block structure 11 Underwater forest 20 Seaweed bed base block 21 Seaweed bed 21a Peat mortar 22 Hole for seaweed cartridge 23 Seaweed cartridge 23a Steel bar for seaweed attachment (seaweed seedling attachment body) 23b Hook portion 24 Support column 24a Hole for stopper 24b Stopper 24c Hook portion 25 Hole for support column 30 Floating body 31 Expanded polystyrene 32 Float (steel pipe) 33 Plastic sphere 33a Hook 33b Chain 40 Mooring device 41 Anchor block 41a Hook portion 42 Chain 43 Shackle 51 Herbivorous fish and shellfish 52 Fish

Claims

1. An underwater forest block structure that enables seaweeds to grow and thrive by floating it in the sea below the sea surface, comprising: An algal bed base block having an algal bed for growing and thriving seaweeds formed on its upper surface; A floating body for floating the algal bed base block; A mooring device for floating the algal bed base block in the sea and mooring it to the seabed; characterized in that the algal bed base block is formed with an algal bed hole portion having an upper surface opening on its upper surface, and peat mortar for growing and thriving seaweeds is accommodated inside the algal bed hole portion.

2. The algal bed base block is provided with a plurality of seaweed cartridge holes formed in parallel on the upper surface at appropriate intervals; and a seaweed cartridge having an upper surface opening that is formed to be insertable and removable into the seaweed cartridge hole and contains peat mortar for growing and thriving seaweeds. The underwater forest block structure according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the above.

3. The algal bed base block is characterized in that a plurality of seaweed seedling adherents, to which at least one of seaweed spores, larvae or mature bodies is attached, are dispersed and introduced into the peat mortar. The underwater forest block structure according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The peat mortar is characterized in that it is composed of mixing peat containing organic acids effective for growing and thriving seaweeds and a cement solidifying material. The underwater forest block structure according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The algal bed base block is provided with a support column that penetrates vertically at approximately the center of the upper surface, and the support column extends downward at least from the lower surface of the algal bed base block, and the lower end of the support column is connected to the mooring device. The underwater forest block structure according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The underwater forest block structure according to claim 5, characterized in that the support column is made of a material having buoyancy.

Images