System for transferring fish from a cod-end of a trawl to a floating vessel pulling the trawl

Abstract

Disclosed is a system (100, 100', 100'') for transferring fish from a cod-end of a trawl to a floating vessel pulling the trawl The system comprises: a pump system (120, 120') installable on the floating vessel; and a device (110, 110', 110'') installable on a portion of the cod-end, the device (110, 110', 110'') being connectable to a first hose for connecting the pump system (120, 120') to the device (110, 110', 110'') and to a second hose for connecting the device (110, 110', 110'') to the pump system (120, 120'). The pump system (120, 120') is configured to transmit a pressurized stream to the first hose and to draw a stream containing fish from the second hose. The device (110, 110', 110'') is configured to join the portion of the cod-end, the first hose, and the second hose and thereby form a junction for continually passing the pressurized stream from the first hose to the second hose such that the continually passed pressurized stream produces a suction effect from the portion of the cod-end to the second hose. Also disclosed is the device on its own, a method of storing a trawl and methods of trawl fishing.

Description

[0001] SYSTEM FOR TRANSFERRING FISH FROM A COD-END OF A TRAWL TO A FLOATING VESSEL PULLING THE TRAWL

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a device and to a system for transferring fish from a codend of a trawl to a floating vessel pulling the trawl. The present disclosure also relates to a method of storing a trawl. The present disclosure further relates to a stored trawl. Moreover, the present disclosure relates to methods of trawl fishing. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a system for transferring fish from cod-ends of at least two trawls to a floating vessel pulling the at least two trawls.

[0003] Nowadays, trawling is one of various fishing methods that can be used. Trawling involves pulling a fishing net through water, the fishing net being pulled behind one or more floating vessels such as a boat or a ship. The fishing net for trawling is called a trawl, and it typically achieves functions such as the following: capturing and trapping fish, which can be achieved by designing the trawl such that it confines fish inside it, trapping them in a cod-end of the trawl as the latter is towed through the water; targeting specific species, which can be achieved by configuring the trawl net in length, mesh size, and material depending on the target species; and keeping the net open, which can be achieved by attaching floats and weights to keep the net open as it moves through the water. A trawl may be a large, conical net designed to be towed by a floating vessel.

[0004] In this context, it can be challenging to transfer fish from the cod-end of a trawl to a floating vessel towing the trawl.

[0005] A known approach includes providing a trawl having a submergible fish pump for pumping caught fish from the cod-end of the trawl to a floating vessel towing the trawl, the fish pump being installed on the cod-end. Thus, when the trawl is submerged, so is the submergible fish pump. An example of the submerged pump approach is disclosed by WO2008125332A2, in which a pump is provided on the cod-end of a trawl, the pump having two hoses connected to it: a supply hose for providing, from a floating vessel, a high-pressured fluid to drive the pump; and a delivery hose for transferring the pumped fish from the cod-end of the trawl to the floating vessel. Thus, the submerged pump is powered by the high-pressured fluid supplied from the floating vessel. The high-pressured fluid for driving the pump can be pressurized seawater or environmentally friendly hydraulic oil. However, the submerged pump approach is disadvantageous in several aspects. The submerged pump approach requires performing operations for moving the submergible pump, i.e. machinery with moving parts, into and out of the water, which can require a lot of effort and attention from the personnel onboard the floating vessel and may subject the pump to unforeseen forces during the shooting / hauling of the trawl. Moreover, it is only possible to access the pump or the supply hose when these are not in the water, which adds complexity in terms of operational and maintenance tasks. Furthermore, in practice it is observed that the supply hose for providing the high- pressure fluid that drives the pump needs to be quite robust and strong, as the fish pumping capability of the submerged pump is entirely dependent on the high-pressure fluid. In practice, it has been observed that this dependency restricts the maximum length that the supply hose can have, increases the overall costs of the system, requires a high effort in maintaining the supply hose in a usable state, and requires a second pump on board the ship with sufficient power for pressurizing the high-pressure fluid along the supply hose.

[0006] US10159230B1 discloses another approach in which a sucking fish tube is provided for reaching into and contacting fish in a cod-end of a trawl. Also disclosed is a vacuum sucking fish pump installed on a vessel and connected to the sucking fish tube's end that is opposite to the tube end for the cod-end of the trawl. With the sucking fish tube in position, the pump is then run to suck the catches from the cod-end through the sucking fish tube and into a collection tank within the pump. In practice, this approach is disadvantageous. The position of the pump on the sucking fish tube's end on the floating vessel is higher than and distanced from the cod-end of the trawl, which severely restricts the overall design of a system embodiment. A restriction may be realized by requiring a small, maximum size for the trawl, in direct proportion to a maximum length of the sucking fish tube and maximum size and power of the pump. A restriction may also be realized as disclosed in Figs. 1-4 in US10159230B1 by requiring additional complexity in the trawling operations by imposing multiples steps with different towing speeds, such as trawling, tractioning and sucking steps and by temporarily shortening the trawl in order to get the sucking fish tube to reach the cod-end.

[0007] Known approaches for transferring fish from the cod-end of a trawl to a floating vessel may impose inefficiencies and complexity before and after the execution of trawling operations. Known approaches may require a lot of effort when transitioning between a stored state and a use state, such as by requiring assembly and disassembly tasks for connecting and disconnecting components with / from a trawl, or performing sequential steps such as waiting for a trawl to be expanded in the water before a sucking fish tube may only then be elongated towards the trawl's cod-end. Also, in some approaches it may be necessary to spend a lot of effort taking care of how a high-pressure hose is stored in a safe manner and in addition to storing the trawl.

[0008] The invention will now be disclosed and has for its object to remedy or to reduce at least one of the drawbacks of the known prior art, or at least provide a useful alternative to the known prior art. The object is achieved through features, which are specified in the description below and in the claims that follow. The invention is defined by the independent patent claims, and the dependent claims define advantageous embodiments.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a device connectable to:

[0010] - a portion of a cod-end of a trawl being pulled behind a floating vessel;

[0011] - a first hose for transmitting a pressurized stream from the floating vessel to the device; and

[0012] - a second hose for drawing a stream containing fish from the device to the floating vessel.

[0013] The device is configured to join the portion of the cod-end, the first hose, and the second hose and thereby form a junction for continually passing the pressurized stream from the first hose to the second hose such that the continually passed pressurized stream produces a suction effect from the portion of the cod-end to the second hose.

[0014] Optionally, the device includes a valve for diverting at least part of the pressurized stream from the first hose to the portion of the cod-end.

[0015] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for transferring fish from a cod-end of a trawl to a floating vessel pulling the trawl. The system comprises:

[0016] - a pump system installable on the floating vessel; and

[0017] - a device installable on a portion of the cod-end, the device being connectable to a first hose for connecting the pump system to the device and to a second hose for connecting the device to the pump system.

[0018] The pump system is configured to transmit a pressurized stream to the first hose and to draw a stream containing fish from the second hose. Also, the device is configured to join the portion of the cod-end, the first hose, and the second hose and thereby form a junction for continually passing the pressurized stream from the first hose to the second hose such that the continually passed pressurized stream produces a suction effect from the portion of the cod-end to the second hose.

[0019] Thus, an advantageous solution is achieved for transferring fish from a cod-end of a trawl to a floating vessel pulling the trawl.

[0020] In one advantage, the system can be embodied with a first hose that may not need to be as robust and as strong as in known approaches, because the system is not dependent on a fluid actuation made from only one end of the second hose. Instead, the system is designed to achieve and take advantage of a cooperative effect between: the pump system's transmission of the pressurized stream to the first hose; the pump system's drawing of a stream containing fish from the second hose; and the device's configuration, which inter alia continually passes the pressurized stream from the first hose to the second hose. Thus, a first hose can be chosen which may be less demanding in terms of operational and storage tasks. The cooperative effect may also be beneficial in permitting the choice of bigger sizes for the trawl while not requiring substantial increases in the capabilities of the pump system. Thus, the system may allow using a trawl with a size that may be increased at higher rate than the power capabilities of the pump system, which may provide an improved scalability for the trawl and the pump system.

[0021] In another advantage, the system may avoid the need to submerge machinery with moving parts, such as a pump. In some examples, the system may still comprise some submerged components comprising some moving parts. In some examples, the number or complexity of submerged moving parts may be reduced. The reduction or lack of submerged moving parts may be advantageous in that less effort and attention is required to deploy and haul the trawl. Additionally or alternatively, a lower risk of damage may be achieved. Additionally or alternatively, less maintenance effort is needed over time. Also, the pump system installable on the floating vessel is advantageously more accessible for operational and maintenance purposes. Moreover, the continual passing of the pressurized stream such that the suction effect is produced allows achieving a fish friendly manner for promoting movement of the caught fish from the cod-end of the trawl to the floating vessel. Also, the device may be implemented having a compact design. Furthermore, advantageously the device may be of low-weight and / or of lower weight than prior art devices. Moreover, no significant heat is generated in the device while producing the suction effect.

[0022] In a further advantage, the first hose, the second hose, and the device form a hydraulic circuit in an environmentally friendly way, which may avoid spilling fluids, such as (environmentally friendly) hydraulic fluid, into a body of water such as a sea or an ocean.

[0023] Optionally, the pump system comprises:

[0024] - a first pump for pressurizing a stream for transmission via the first hose; and

[0025] - a second pump for drawing the stream containing fish from the second hose.

[0026] Thus, a modular pump system is provided, which may require a lower maintenance effort and may provide a more versatile installation on the floating vessel.

[0027] Optionally, at least part of the pump system is installable below a deck on the floating vessel. Thus, it may be possible to minimize the suction power required from the pump system, as installing the pump system below deck will reduce the height between the device and the pump system. In one embodiment, the at least part of the pump is installable below the deck such that the at least part of the pump is under the waterline while the floating vessel is pulling the trawl.

[0028] Optionally, the device includes a valve for diverting at least part of the pressurized stream from the first hose to the portion of the cod-end. Thus, the system can actuate on an accumulation (e.g. of caught fish) that is clogging up the device or the cod-end, thereby providing an easy fix for resolving a clogging problem.

[0029] Optionally, the system comprises a regulator for controlling a passage of water between an interior and an exterior of the second hose, the regulator being installable on the second hose at a point between the device and the pump system. Thus, the system can regulate the density of fish versus water being transported via the second hose.

[0030] Optionally, the regulator is configured to controllably release water from the interior to the exterior of the second hose such that the released water is diverted from being transferred to the pump system. Thus, by regulating the release of water, the system can regulate the caught fish to be more crowded within the second hose as it travels towards the pump system.

[0031] Optionally, the regulator is configured to controllably allow water in from the exterior to the interior of the second hose such that a suction load is reduced on the pump system. Thus, the system can regulate the allowance of additional water into the second hose such that a suction load on the pump system is reduced.

[0032] Optionally, the system comprises:

[0033] - at least one image sensor for obtaining images of the interior of the second hose;

[0034] - a processing unit for receiving images from the at least one image sensor and controlling the regulator; and

[0035] - a memory configured with at least one rule for controlling the regulator based on at least one feature determined from a received image.

[0036] Also, the processing unit is configured to carry out the steps of:

[0037] - receiving an image from the at least one image sensor; - determining at least one feature from the received image;

[0038] - selecting a rule, configured in the memory, based on the determined at least one feature; and

[0039] - controlling the regulator based on the selected rule.

[0040] Thus, the system may be less labor intensive and may require less effort in controlling the regulator.

[0041] Optionally, the at least one feature determined from a received image comprises a metric for quantifying a density of fish within the second hose. Thus, the system may achieve a precise solution for controlling the regulator based on the density of fish within the second hose. This effect may be advantageous in prolonging the life of the pump system.

[0042] Optionally, the at least one image sensor is installed upstream of the regulator. Thus, the system processing unit can control the regulator based on data obtained prior to the fish passing by the passage of water of the regulator.

[0043] Optionally, the system comprises a separator for selectively diverting fish from an interior to an exterior of the second hose such that the diverted fish are diverted from being transferred to the pump system, the separator being installable on the second hose at a point between the device and the pump system. Thus, it is possible to mitigate unintended catches, such as mitigating the catch of an unintended fish species fish. This may be useful due to many factors, such as the area in which the fish are caught or an undesirable market size for the caught fish. Also, the diverted fish are passed through the system in a fish friendly manner, starting from the portion of the cod-end of the trawl and ending at the separator. Through this path, the fish do neither leave the water nor come into contact with moving parts.

[0044] Optionally, the system comprises:

[0045] - at least one image sensor for obtaining images of the interior of the second hose;

[0046] - a processing unit for receiving images from the at least one image sensor and controlling the separator; and

[0047] - a memory configured with at least one rule for controlling the separator based on at least one feature determined from a received image. The processing unit is configured to carry out the steps of:

[0048] - receiving an image from the at least one image sensor;

[0049] - determining at least one feature from the received image;

[0050] - selecting a rule, configured in the memory, based on the determined at least one feature; and

[0051] - controlling the separator based on the selected rule.

[0052] Optionally, the at least one feature determined from a received image comprises a metric for qualifying a fish species found within the second hose.

[0053] Optionally, the at least one image sensor is installed upstream of the separator

[0054] Optionally, the system comprises any of: the first hose; and / or the second hose.

[0055] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of storing a trawl. The method comprises the steps of:

[0056] - providing a trawl;

[0057] - providing a system as described in the first aspect of the invention;

[0058] - installing the device on a portion of the cod-end of the trawl;

[0059] - providing a drum for storing the trawl;

[0060] - connecting a part of the trawl to the drum; and

[0061] - rolling the drum such that the trawl is wound around the drum. Thus, an advantageous method of storing a trawl may be achieved, the trawl being stored in a ready-to-be- deployed state including the device installed on the cod-end of the trawl. Therefore, a lower effort may be required for transitioning a trawl and system between a stored state and a use state.

[0062] Optionally, the method further comprises the step of connecting each of the first hose and the second hose to the device.

[0063] Optionally, the step of rolling the drum comprises rolling the drum such that the trawl and any of the first hose and / or the second hose are wound around the drum. Thus, an advantageous stored trawl is achieved. It has been realized that the lack of need to provide technical demanding hoses, such as a robust first hose, may permit storing the trawl and at least one of the first hose and second hose in an efficient manner. Therefore, less effort may be required for transitioning a trawl and system to a stored state.

[0064] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a stored trawl produced by carrying out a method as described in second aspect of the invention. Thus, a stored trawl is achieved that is ready-to-be-used and which provides an inherently higher efficiency of deployment when it is to be deployed into a body of water.

[0065] According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of trawl fishing. The method comprises the steps of:

[0066] - providing a floating vessel;

[0067] - providing a stored trawl, as described in third aspect of the invention, onboard of the floating vessel;

[0068] - providing the pump system on the floating vessel;

[0069] - connecting each of the first hose and the second hose to the pump system;

[0070] - deploying the trawl from the floating vessel by unrolling the stored trawl into a body of water;

[0071] - operating the floating vessel such that the trawl is pulled by the floating vessel; and

[0072] - operating the system to transfer fish from the cod-end of trawl to the pump system. Thus, trawl fishing may be performed with a reduced setup time for deploying the trawl into a body of water and starting the trawling process.

[0073] According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of trawl fishing. The method comprises the steps of:

[0074] - providing a floating vessel;

[0075] - providing a trawl;

[0076] - providing a system as described in the first aspect of the invention;

[0077] - installing the device on a portion of the cod-end of the trawl;

[0078] - providing the pump system onboard the floating vessel;

[0079] - connecting each of the first hose and the second hose between the device and the pump system;

[0080] - deploying the trawl in a body of water and operating the floating vessel such that the trawl is pulled by the floating vessel; and

[0081] - operating the system to transfer fish from the cod-end to the pump system.

[0082] According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for transferring fish from cod-ends of at least two trawls to a floating vessel pulling the at least two trawls. The system comprises:

[0083] - a pump system installable on the floating vessel; and

[0084] - a coupling for connecting at least three hoses, the coupling being connectable to a third hose for connecting the coupling to the pump system.

[0085] For each cod-end of the at least two trawls, the system respectively comprises:

[0086] - a device installable on a portion of the cod-end, the device being connectable to a first hose for connecting the pump system to the device and to a second hose for connecting the device to the coupling.

[0087] The pump system is configured to transmit a pressurized stream to each first hose and to draw a stream containing fish from the third hose. Also, each device is configured to join the portion of the respective cod-end, the respective first hose, and the respective second hose and thereby form a junction for continually passing the pressurized stream from the respective first hose to the respective second hose such that the continually passed pressurized stream produces a suction effect from the portion of the respective cod-end to the respective second hose. Thus, a system is achieved with an advantageous scalability in terms of enabling a floating vessel to pull a plurality of trawls while achieving an advantageous transfer of fish from the cod-ends of the plurality of trawls to the floating vessel.

[0088] Optionally, the pump system comprises:

[0089] - a first pump for pressurizing a stream for transmission via each first hose; and

[0090] - a second pump for drawing the stream containing fish from each second hose.

[0091] Optionally, at least part of the pump system is installable below a deck on the floating vessel.

[0092] Optionally, each device includes a valve for diverting at least part of the pressurized stream from the respective first hose to the portion of the respective cod-end. Optionally, the system comprises a regulator for controlling a passage of water between an interior and an exterior of the third hose, the regulator being installable on the third hose at a point between the coupling and the pump system

[0093] Optionally, the regulator is configured to controllably release water from the interior to the exterior of the third hose such that the released water is diverted from being transferred to the pump system.

[0094] Optionally, the regulator is configured to controllably allow water in from the exterior to the interior of the third hose such that a suction load is reduced on the pump system.

[0095] Optionally, the system comprises:

[0096] - at least one image sensor for obtaining images of the interior of the third hose;

[0097] - a processing unit for receiving images from the at least one image sensor and controlling the regulator; and

[0098] - a memory configured with at least one rule for controlling the regulator based on at least one feature determined from a received image.

[0099] The processing unit is configured to carry out the steps of:

[0100] - receiving an image from the at least one image sensor;

[0101] - determining at least one feature from the received image;

[0102] - selecting a rule, configured in the memory, based on the determined at least one feature; and

[0103] - controlling the regulator based on the selected rule

[0104] Optionally, the at least one feature determined from a received image comprises a metric for quantifying a density of fish within the third hose.

[0105] Optionally, the at least one image sensor is installed upstream of the regulator.

[0106] Optionally, the system comprises a separator for selectively diverting fish from an interior to an exterior of the third hose such that the diverted fish is diverted from being transferred to the pump system, the separator being installable on the third hose at a point between the coupling and the pump system. Optionally, the system comprises:

[0107] - at least one image sensor for obtaining images of the interior of the third hose;

[0108] - a processing unit for receiving images from the at least one image sensor and controlling the separator; and

[0109] - a memory configured with at least one rule for controlling the separator based on at least one feature determined from a received image.

[0110] The processing unit is configured to carry out the steps of:

[0111] - receiving an image from the at least one image sensor;

[0112] - determining at least one feature from the received image;

[0113] - selecting a rule, configured in the memory, based on the determined at least one feature; and

[0114] - controlling the separator based on the selected rule.

[0115] Optionally, the at least one feature determined from a received image comprises a metric for qualifying a fish species found within the third hose.

[0116] Optionally, the at least one image sensor is installed upstream of the separator.

[0117] Optionally, the system comprises any of: the first hose; the second hose; and / or the third hose.

[0118] Further benefits and advantages will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0119] In the drawings:

[0120] Fig. 1 is a schematic elevation view of a first system embodiment in use;

[0121] Fig. 2 is a schematic elevation view of a second system embodiment in use.

[0122] The drawings are shown in a schematic and simplified manner, and features may be left out if they are not necessary for an explanation. Identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar features in the drawings. The various features shown in the drawings may not necessarily be drawn to scale. embodiment

[0123] Turning now to Fig. 1, it shows a first system embodiment 100 being for transferring fish from a cod-end 201 (see left-hand side of Fig. 1) of trawl 200 to a floating vessel 300 (see right-hand side of Fig. 1) pulling the trawl. The floating vessel 300 in the illustrated use is a fishing ship 300 travelling through a body of water, such as a sea or an ocean. As the ship 300 travels while pulling the trawl 200, the latter expands and opens for catching fish.

[0124] The system 100 includes a device 110 for collecting caught fish from a portion of the codend 201, a pump system 120, a first hose 131 for connecting the pump system 120 to the device 110, and a second hose 132 for connecting the device to the pump system 120.

[0125] The device 110 is installed on a portion of the cod-end 201 of the trawl 200. Preferably, the device 110 is installed on the portion of the cod-end 201 such that the device 110 is provided at a position suitable for collecting fish from the rear portion of the cod -end 201 relative to the direction of travel of the trawl 200 pulled by the floating vessel 300.

[0126] The pump system 120 is configured to transmit a pressurized stream to the first hose 131 and to draw a stream containing fish from the second hose 132. Thus, the pump system 120 has a dual function. The pump system 120 is installed onboard the ship 300, which provides easy access for a system operator to perform operational and maintenance tasks. In this system 100 embodiment, the pump system 120 includes two pumps: a first pump for pressurizing a stream for transmission through the first hose 131; and a second pump for drawing the stream containing fish through the second hose 132. The pressurized stream may include any fluid suitable for transferring fish via a hose, such as water or an environmentally friendly hydraulic fluid.

[0127] The device 110 is configured to join the portion of the cod-end 201, the first hose 131, and the second hose 132 and thereby form a junction for producing a suction effect from the portion of the cod-end 201 to the second hose 132. The produced suction effect causes fish accumulated in the cod-end 201 of the trawl 200 to be moved into the second hose 132. To produce the suction effect, the junction is formed in a suitable manner for continually passing the pressurized stream from the first hose 131 to the second hose 132 such that the continually passed pressurized stream produces the suction effect which is applied to the portion of the cod-end 201 to the second hose 132. It will be understood that a skilled person will be able to implement many alternative device 110 embodiments effective in producing the suction effect from the portion of the cod -end 201 to the second hose 132 that are not described herein in the interest of brevity. For example, the skilled person may be able to implement further device 110 embodiments not detailed herein by taking into account known concepts from fluid dynamics, such as but not limited to the Venturi effect, the Coanda effect, and the Bernoulli's principle.

[0128] For example, a device 110 embodiment may be provided in which the device 110 is configured to form a junction joining the first hose 131 and the second hose 132 such that the pressurized stream from the first hose 131 is continually passed to the second hose 132. Additionally, the device 110 connects a portion of the cod-end 201 of the trawl 200 to the formed junction such that the continual passing of the pressurized stream produces a suction effect from the cod-end 201 to the second hose 132.

[0129] In another example, the formed junction may follow the design of a Venturi Vacuum Generator (also known as a vacuum ejector or an air-driven vacuum pump). The principle of operation of a Venturi Vacuum Generator is based on the flow of a compressed fluid (known as the motive fluid), which is sent through a constricting nozzle to increase the velocity and decreasing the fluid pressure of the motive fluid. This setup results in a low pressure at the expanding side of the nozzle, the low-pressure side being usable for creating a suction effect. In a device 110 implementing such a design, a continual passing of the pressurized stream from the first hose 131 through a constriction can be used for causing a lower pressure on a downstream, expanding side of the constriction, and, on that side, a stream from the cod-end 201 can be entrained with the pressurized stream from the first hose 131 and directed into the second hose 132. Thus, a suction effect can be produced on the cod-end 201 of the trawl 200 and thereby pull fish from the cod-end 201 into the second hose 132. Such a device 110 can include a constriction, for example a nozzle (not shown in the Figures) or a nozzle-like portion, and the motive fluid is the pressurized fluid from the first hose 131.

[0130] In a further example, the formed junction may include at least one suction head (not shown in the Figures) for producing the suction effect from the portion of the cod-end 201 to the second hose 132, each suction head being powered by lateral Coanda ejectors (not shown in the Figures) directing the pressurized stream from the first hose 131 to the inner surface of the second hose 132. A lateral Coanda ejector may be provided as a slit on the second hose 132, the slit being shaped such that, the pressurized stream may enter the second hose 132 via the slit and be directed towards the inner surface of the second hose 132 in a direction away from the portion of the cod-end 201. The Coanda effect is thus observed in that pressurized stream that has entered the second hose 132 attaches itself to a nearby surface, i.e. the inner surface of the second hose 132, and remains attached even when the surface curves away from an initial slit exiting direction.

[0131] In the system 100 shown in Fig. 1, a regulator 140 is provided (see right-hand side of Fig.

[0132] 1, near the ship 300) for controlling a passage of water between an interior and an exterior of the second hose 132. The regulator 140 is installed on the second hose 132 at a point between the device 110 and the pump system 120 onboard the ship 300.

[0133] Controlling the passage of water by regulator 140 allows performing a dynamic regulation of how the fish are transported via the second hose 132, in alternative to have the pump system 120 transmit a pressurized stream to the first hose 131 and to draw a stream containing fish from the second hose 132 at constant rates independently of the fish being transferred via the second hose 140.

[0134] It will be understood that the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, in which the regulator 140 is installed in proximity to the ship 300, achieves an advantageous operational setting, as the regulator 140 may be more easily controlled by a system operator onboard the ship 300. If necessary, the regulator 140 may also receive power from the ship 300.

[0135] In some embodiments, the regulator 140 may be configured to controllably release water from the interior to the exterior of the second hose, controllably allow water in from the exterior to the interior of the second hose, or both. Controllably releasing water allows the released water to be diverted from being transferred to the pump system 120 onboard the ship 300, and controllably allowing water in allows a suction load to be reduced on the pump system 120. These options can be used for a purpose such as regulating the caught fish to be more or less crowded within the second hose as it travels towards the pump system 120. Thus, the regulator 140 allows performing a fish friendly operation with the possibility of crowd control as the fish is transferred to the pump system 120.

[0136] In some embodiments, the system 100 is implemented so that the operation of the regulator 140 may be automated to react to detected features of the interior of the second hose 132. Less labor is therefore needed for controlling the regulator 140. The system 100 can include at least one image sensor (not shown in the Figures) for obtaining images of the interior of the second hose, a processing unit (not shown in the Figures) for receiving images from the at least one image sensor and controlling the regulator, and a memory (not shown in the Figures) configured with at least one rule for controlling the regulator based on at least one feature determined from a received image. Additionally, the processing unit is configured to carry out the steps of:

[0137] - receiving an image from the at least one image sensor;

[0138] - determining at least one feature from the received image;

[0139] - selecting a rule, configured in the memory, based on the determined at least one feature; and

[0140] - controlling the regulator based on the selected rule.

[0141] It will be understood that the skilled person may be able to implement many alternatives, not described herein in the interest of brevity, to provide the at least one image sensor and configure the processing unit and the memory. For example, the step of determining at least one feature from the received image can be implemented to determine a metric for quantifying a density of fish within the second hose 132. The memory may be configured with one or more rules to control the regulator 140 such that the regulator 140 continuously optimizes the density of fish being transferred within the second hose 132 to be within a range of densities. In one embodiment, a range of densities may be from 1 to 6 fish per 10 liters of fluid. The system 100 shown in Fig. 1 may include a separator (not shown) for selectively diverting fish from an interior to an exterior of the second hose 132 such that the diverted fish is diverted from being transferred to the pump system 120. Such a separator may be installed on the second hose 120 at a point between the device 110 and the pump system 120 onboard the ship 300.

[0142] In one embodiment, a separator is configured to form part of the second hose 132, the separator including an opening for passing fish from the interior to the exterior of the second hose 132, a valve for selectively closing the opening of the separator, and a mesh screen moveable between a first position when the valve is opened and a second position when the valve is closed. When the mesh screen is moved to the first position, the valve is in an opened state and the mesh screen intersects fish traveling through the interior of the second hose 132 such that the fish are diverted to the exterior of the second hose 132 through the opening. When the mesh screen is moved to the second position, the valve is in a closed state and the mesh screen allows the fish traveling through the interior of the second hose 132 to travel through the separator without being diverted to the opening of the separator. It will be appreciated that the skilled person may be able to implement this and further separator embodiments not detailed herein by taking into account known separator concepts.

[0143] Selectively diverting fish with the separator allows selecting which fish are transferred to the pump system 120, in alternative to having all caught fish be transferred to the pump system 120. Also, the use of the separator as part of the system creates an alternative path that is fish friendly all the way through. The alternative path starts from the cod-end 201 of the trawl 200 and ends at the diversion by the separator from the interior to the exterior of the second hose 132. In this alternative path, the caught fish do not leave the water and are not put in contact with any moving parts.

[0144] It will be understood that the separator may be installed in many ways. For example, the separator may be installed in proximity to the ship 300, which achieves an advantageous operational setting, as the separator may be more easily controlled by a system operator onboard the ship 300. If necessary, the separator may also receive power from the ship

[0145] 300. When the regulator 140 is provided in the system 100, the separator and the regulator 140 may be arranged in a single assembly, which can achieve a simple design.

[0146] In some embodiments, the system 100 is implemented so that the operation of the separator may be automated to react to detected features of the interior of the second hose 132. Less labor is therefore needed for controlling the separator. The system 100 can include at least one image sensor (not shown in the Figures) for obtaining images of the interior of the second hose, a processing unit (not shown in the Figures) for receiving images from the at least one image sensor and controlling the separator, and a memory (not shown in the Figures) configured with at least one rule for controlling the separator based on at least one feature determined from a received image. Additionally, the processing unit may be configured to carry out the steps of:

[0147] - receiving an image from the at least one image sensor;

[0148] - determining at least one feature from the received image;

[0149] - selecting a rule, configured in the memory, based on the determined at least one feature; and

[0150] - controlling the separator based on the selected rule.

[0151] It will be understood that the skilled person may be able to implement many alternatives, not described herein in the interest of brevity, to provide the at least one image sensor and configure the processing unit and the memory. For example, the step of determining at least one feature from the received image can be implemented to determine a metric for qualifying a fish species found within the second hose 132. The memory may be configured with one or more rules to control the separator such that the separator continuously filters out unintended fish species from being transferred to the pump system 120.

[0152] Method of storing a trawl

[0153] When a system is not in use, the trawl 200 can be stored. In a non-illustrated method embodiment for storing a trawl 200, the following steps are included in the method:

[0154] - providing a trawl 200; - providing a system 100 as shown in any of the Fig. 1;

[0155] - installing the device 110 on a portion of the cod-end 201 of the trawl 200;

[0156] - providing a drum (not shown in the Figures) for storing the trawl 200;

[0157] - connecting a part of the trawl 200 to the drum; and

[0158] - rolling the drum such that the trawl 200 is wound around the drum.

[0159] It will be appreciated that, after the trawl 200 has been wound around the drum, both the trawl 200 and the device 110 will be wound around the drum. In this respect, it is quite advantageous that the device 110, not requiring moving parts, can be low-weight and thus easy to wound around the drum together with the trawl 200. Also, it will be appreciated that the trawl storing method may include a further step of connecting each of the first hose 131 and the second hose 132 to the device 110. Optionally, the step of rolling the drum comprises rolling the drum such that the trawl 200 and any of the first hose 131 and / or the second hose 132 are wound around the drum.

[0160] Storing the trawl 200 using this method is advantageous in that a low effort is required for transitioning the trawl 200 between a use state and a stored state.

[0161] Stored trawl produced by carrying out a trawl storing method

[0162] Also, the lack of need to provide technically demanding hoses, such as a robust first hose 131, achieves a stored trawl 200 and at least one of the first hose 131 and second hose 132 in an efficient manner.

[0163] A stored trawl 200, produced by carrying out the trawl storing method described above, is ready-to-be-used and provides an inherently higher efficiency when it is deployed into a body of water. In particular, the trawl 200 and system 100 can be deployed in the body of water with a reduced number of steps and in an easy way by unrolling the drum. It is therefore quite advantageous for system operators to have stored trawls ready to be used.

[0164] First method of trawl fishing

[0165] In this respect, a first method of trawl fishing can comprise the steps of:

[0166] - providing a floating vessel 200; - providing a stored trawl, as produced by a trawl storing method described above, onboard of the floating vessel 200;

[0167] - providing the pump system 120 on the floating vessel 200;

[0168] - connecting each of the first hose 131 and the second hose 132 to the pump system 120;

[0169] - deploying the trawl 200 from the floating vessel 300 by unrolling the stored trawl into a body of water;

[0170] - operating the floating vessel 300 such that the trawl 200 is pulled by the floating vessel 300; and

[0171] - operating the system 100 to transfer fish from the cod-end 201 of trawl to the pump system 120.

[0172] It will be appreciated that this method allows a system operator to start trawl fishing with a reduced setup time spent on deploying the trawl 200 into the body of water and starting the trawling process.

[0173] Second method of trawl fishing

[0174] Using the system shown in Fig. 1, it is possible to carry out a second method of trawl fishing. The second method includes the steps of:

[0175] - providing a floating vessel;

[0176] - providing a trawl 300;

[0177] - providing a system 100;

[0178] - installing the device 110 on a portion of the cod-end 201 of the trawl 200;

[0179] - providing the pump system 120 onboard the floating vessel 300;

[0180] - connecting each of the first hose 131 and the second hose 132 between the device 110 and the pump system 120;

[0181] - deploying the trawl 200 in a body of water (e.g. a sea or an ocean) and operating the floating vessel 300 such that the trawl 200 is pulled by the floating vessel 300;

[0182] - operating the system 100 to transfer fish from the cod-end 201 to the pump system 120.

[0183] Figure 2 - Second system embodiment

[0184] Fig. 2 shows a second system embodiment 100' having an increased trawling capacity compared to the system 100 shown in Fig. 1. It will be appreciated that there are different ways of increasing the trawling capacity of a system 100, 100'. In one way, the trawl 200 in a system 100 as shown in Fig. 1 can be made bigger and longer and the capabilities of the pump system 120 onboard the ship 300 can be correspondingly increased. In another way, a plurality of trawls 200', 200'' may be provided as exemplified in Fig. 2 (see left-hand half of Fig. 2), such that the system 100' is suitable for transferring fish from cod-ends 201', 201'' of the two trawls 200', 200'' to a floating vessel 300' (see right-hand side in Fig. 2) pulling the trawls 200', 200''.

[0185] The system 100' in Fig. 2 includes a pump system 120' installed on the floating vessel 300', a coupling 150' connecting three hoses, and a third hose 133 for connecting the coupling 150' to the pump system 120'. The system 100' also includes a regulator 140' applied on the third hose 133. Fig. 2 shows a combined component including both the regulator 140' and the coupling 150'. The system 100' may also included a separator (not shown) as described above applied to the third hose 133.

[0186] For each cod-end 201', 201'' of the two trawls 200', 200'', the system 100' respectively comprises a device 110', 110'' (see left-hand side of Fig. 2) installed on a portion of the cod-end 201', 201'', a first hose 131', 131'' for connecting the pump system 120' to the device 110', 110'', and a second hose 132', 132'' for connecting the device 110', 110'' to the coupling 150'.

[0187] The pump system 120' is configured to transmit a pressurized stream to each first hose 131', 131'' and to draw a stream containing fish from the third hose 133.

[0188] For the sake of simplicity, several components illustrated in Fig. 2 are a duplication of components illustrated in Fig. 1, such as the trawls 200', 200'' in Fig. 2 being a duplication of the trawl in Fig. 1, the devices 110', 110'' in Fig. 2 being a duplication of the device 100 in Fig. 1, and the first hoses 131', 131'' in Fig. 2 being duplications of the first hose 131 in Fig. 1. Contrastingly, the second hoses 132', 132'' in Fig. 2 are connected to the coupling 150' and the third hose 133 is provided between the coupling 150' and the pump system 120'.

[0189] Thus, a system 100' is achieved which can be scaled up and allow a floating vessel 300' to pull a plurality of trawls 200', 200” while achieving an advantageous transfer of fish from the cod-ends 201', 201” of the trawls 200', 200” to the floating vessel 300'.

[0190] Trawls storing method

[0191] Referring now to Fig. 2 and to the method of storing a trawl described above, it will be appreciated that the two trawls 200', 200” in Fig. 2 and system 100' may be stored in a similar manner to the method of storing a trawl described above. A skilled person will be able to adapt the described method of storing a trawl, without inventive skills, and thereby arrive at a working method of storing a plurality of trawls 200', 200” and system 100' as described for Fig. 2. For example, a single drum may be provided for rolling the plurality of trawls 200', 200”, the single drum having a sufficient size for accommodating the plurality of trawls 200', 200”. In another example, a separate drum may be provided for each of the trawls 200', 200”.

[0192] Device

[0193] It will be appreciated that a skilled person in possession of all system 100, 100' components except the device 110, 110', 110” will still be able to achieve a full system 100, 100' embodiment if provided with a device 110, 110', 110” embodiment that is connectable to:

[0194] - a portion of a cod-end 201, 201', 201” of a trawl 200, 200', 200” for being pulled behind a floating vessel 300, 300';

[0195] - a first hose 131, 131', 131” for transmitting a pressurized stream from the floating vessel 300, 300' to the device 110, 110', 110”; and

[0196] - a second hose 132, 132', 132” for drawing a stream containing fish from the device 110, 110', 110” to the floating vessel 300, 300'.

[0197] Such a device 110, 110', 110” can be configured to join the portion of the cod-end 201, 201', 201”, the first hose 131, 131', 131”, and the second hose 132, 132', 132” and thereby form a junction for continually passing the pressurized stream from the first hose 131, 131', 131” to the second hose 132, 132', 132” such that the continually passed pressurized stream produces a suction effect from the portion of the cod-end 201, 201', 201” to the second hose 132, 132', 132”. Thus, a system 100, 100' embodiment can be achieved. The terms used in this description and claims are interpreted according to their ordinary meaning the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise. Notwithstanding, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. These terms are not interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or integers. Furthermore, the indefinite article "a" or "an" is interpreted openly as introducing at least one instance of an entity, unless explicitly stated otherwise. An entity introduced by an indefinite article is not excluded from being interpreted as a plurality of the entity.

[0198] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilized for realizing the invention in diverse forms thereof.

[0199] While the invention has been described in conjunction with the embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

C l a i m s1. A device connectable to:- a portion of a cod-end of a trawl for being pulled behind a floating vessel;- a first hose for transmitting a pressurized stream from the floating vessel to the device; and- a second hose for drawing a stream containing fish from the device to the floating vessel, wherein the device is configured to join the portion of the cod-end, the first hose, and the second hose and thereby form a junction for continually passing the pressurized stream from the first hose to the second hose such that the continually passed pressurized stream produces a suction effect from the portion of the cod-end to the second hose.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the device includes a valve for diverting at least part of the pressurized stream from the first hose to the portion of the codend.

3. A system for transferring fish from a cod-end of a trawl to a floating vessel pulling the trawl, the system comprising:- a pump system installable on the floating vessel; and- a device installable on a portion of the cod-end, the device being connectable to a first hose for connecting the pump system to the device and to a second hose for connecting the device to the pump system, wherein the pump system is configured to transmit a pressurized stream to the first hose and to draw a stream containing fish from the second hose, and wherein the device is configured to join the portion of the cod-end, the first hose, and the second hose and thereby form a junction for continually passing the pressurized stream from the first hose to the second hose such that the continually passed pressurized stream produces a suction effect from the portion of the cod-end to the second hose.

4. System according to claim 3, wherein the pump system comprises:- a first pump for pressurizing a stream for transmission via the first hose; and- a second pump for drawing the stream containing fish from the second hose.

5. System according to any of the claims 3 to 4, wherein at least part of the pump system is installable below a deck on the floating vessel.

6. System according to any of the claims 3 to 5, wherein the device includes a valve for diverting at least part of the pressurized stream from the first hose to the portion of the cod-end.

7. System according to any of the claims 3 to 6, the system comprising a regulator for controlling a passage of water between an interior and an exterior of the second hose, the regulator being installable on the second hose at a point between the device and the pump system.

8. System according to claim 7, wherein the regulator is configured to controllably release water from the interior to the exterior of the second hose such that the released water is diverted from being transferred to the pump system.

9. System according to any of the claims 7 to 8, wherein the regulator is configured to controllably allow water in from the exterior to the interior of the second hose such that a suction load is reduced on the pump system.

10. System according to any of the claims 7 to 9, the system comprising:- at least one image sensor for obtaining images of the interior of the second hose;- a processing unit for receiving images from the at least one image sensor and controlling the regulator; and- a memory configured with at least one rule for controlling the regulator based on at least one feature determined from a received image, wherein the processing unit is configured to carry out the steps of:- receiving an image from the at least one image sensor;- determining at least one feature from the received image;- selecting a rule, configured in the memory, based on the determined at least onefeature; and- controlling the regulator based on the selected rule.

11. System according to claim 10, wherein the at least one feature determined from a received image comprises a metric for quantifying a density of fish within the second hose.

12. System according to any of the claims 10 to 11, wherein the at least one image sensor is installed upstream of the regulator.

13. System according to any of the claims 3 to 12, the system comprising a separator for selectively diverting fish from an interior to an exterior of the second hose such that the diverted fish are diverted from being transferred to the pump system, the separator being installable on the second hose at a point between the device and the pump system.

14. System according to claim 13, the system comprising:- at least one image sensor for obtaining images of the interior of the second hose;- a processing unit for receiving images from the at least one image sensor and controlling the separator; and- a memory configured with at least one rule for controlling the separator based on at least one feature determined from a received image, wherein the processing unit is configured to carry out the steps of:- receiving an image from the at least one image sensor;- determining at least one feature from the received image;- selecting a rule, configured in the memory, based on the determined at least one feature; and- controlling the separator based on the selected rule.

15. System according to claim 14, wherein the at least one feature determined from a received image comprises a metric for qualifying a fish species found within the second hose.

16. System according to any of the claims 13 to 15, wherein the at least one image sensor is installed upstream of the separator.

17. System according to any of the claims 3 to 16, the system comprising any of:- the first hose; and / or- the second hose.

18. A method of storing a trawl, the method comprising the steps of:- providing a trawl;- providing a system as described in any of the claims 3 to 17;- installing the device on a portion of the cod-end of the trawl;- providing a drum for storing the trawl;- connecting a part of the trawl to the drum; and- rolling the drum such that the trawl is wound around the drum.

19. Method according to claim 18, the method further comprising the step of connecting each of the first hose and the second hose to the device.

20. Method according to claim 19, wherein the step of rolling the drum comprises rolling the drum such that the trawl and any of the first hose and / or the second hose are wound around the drum.

21. A stored trawl produced by carrying out a method as described in any of the claims 18 to 20.

22. A method of trawl fishing, the method comprising the steps of:- providing a floating vessel;- providing a stored trawl, as described in claim 21, onboard of the floating vessel;- providing the pump system on the floating vessel;- connecting each of the first hose and the second hose to the pump system;- deploying the trawl from the floating vessel by unrolling the stored trawl into a body of water;- operating the floating vessel such that the trawl is pulled by the floating vessel; and- operating the system to transfer fish from the cod-end of trawl to the pump system.

23. A method of trawl fishing, the method comprising the steps of:- providing a floating vessel;- providing a trawl;- providing a system as described in any of the claims 3 to 17;- installing the device on a portion of the cod-end of the trawl;- providing the pump system onboard the floating vessel;- connecting each of the first hose and the second hose between the device and the pump system;- deploying the trawl in a body of water and operating the floating vessel such that the trawl is pulled by the floating vessel; and- operating the system to transfer fish from the cod-end to the pump system.

24. A system for transferring fish from cod-ends of at least two trawls to a floating vessel pulling the at least two trawls, the system comprising:- a pump system installable on the floating vessel; and- a coupling for connecting at least three hoses, the coupling being connectable to a third hose for connecting the coupling to the pump system, wherein, for each cod-end of the at least two trawls, the system respectively comprises:- a device installable on a portion of the cod-end, the device being connectable to a first hose for connecting the pump system to the device and to a second hose for connecting the device to the coupling, wherein the pump system is configured to transmit a pressurized stream to each first hose and to draw a stream containing fish from the third hose, and wherein each device is configured to join the portion of the respective cod-end, the respective first hose, and the respective second hose and thereby form a junction for continually passing the pressurized stream from the respective first hose to the respective second hose such that the continually passed pressurizedstream produces a suction effect from the portion of the respective cod-end to the respective second hose.

25. System according to claim 24, wherein the pump system comprises:- a first pump for pressurizing a stream for transmission via each first hose; and- a second pump for drawing the stream containing fish from each second hose.

26. System according to any of the claims 24 to 25, wherein at least part of the pump system is installable below a deck on the floating vessel.

27. System according to any of the claims 24 to 26, wherein each device includes a valve for diverting at least part of the pressurized stream from the respective first hose to the portion of the respective cod-end.

28. System according to any of the claims 24 to 27, the system comprising a regulator for controlling a passage of water between an interior and an exterior of the third hose, the regulator being installable on the third hose at a point between the coupling and the pump system.

29. System according to claim 28, wherein the regulator is configured to controllably release water from the interior to the exterior of the third hose such that the released water is diverted from being transferred to the pump system.

30. System according to any of the claims 28 to 29, wherein the regulator is configured to controllably allow water in from the exterior to the interior of the third hose such that a suction load is reduced on the pump system.

31. System according to any of the claims 28 to 30, the system comprising:- at least one image sensor for obtaining images of the interior of the third hose;- a processing unit for receiving images from the at least one image sensor and controlling the regulator; and- a memory configured with at least one rule for controlling the regulator based on at least one feature determined from a received image, wherein the processing unit is configured to carry out the steps of:- receiving an image from the at least one image sensor;- determining at least one feature from the received image;- selecting a rule, configured in the memory, based on the determined at least one feature; and- controlling the regulator based on the selected rule.

32. System according to claim 31, wherein the at least one feature determined from a received image comprises a metric for quantifying a density of fish within the third hose.

33. System according to any of the claims 31 to 32, wherein the at least one image sensor is installed upstream of the regulator.

34. System according to any of the claims 24 to 33, the system comprising a separator for selectively diverting fish from an interior to an exterior of the third hose such that the diverted fish are diverted from being transferred to the pump system, the separator being installable on the third hose at a point between the coupling and the pump system.

35. System according to claim 34, the system comprising:- at least one image sensor for obtaining images of the interior of the third hose;- a processing unit for receiving images from the at least one image sensor and controlling the separator; and- a memory configured with at least one rule for controlling the separator based on at least one feature determined from a received image, wherein the processing unit is configured to carry out the steps of:- receiving an image from the at least one image sensor;- determining at least one feature from the received image;- selecting a rule, configured in the memory, based on the determined at least one feature; and- controlling the separator based on the selected rule.

36. System according to claim 35, wherein the at least one feature determined from a received image comprises a metric for qualifying a fish species found within the third hose.

37. System according to any of the claims 24 to 36, wherein the at least one image sensor is installed upstream of the separator.

38. System according to any of the claims 24 to 37, the system comprising any of:- the first hose;- the second hose; and / or- the third hose.

Images