Device, apparatus and method for collection of aquatic animals

Abstract

There is provided a collection device (100, 800) for an apparatus for collecting aquatic animals, the collection device comprising: a tube (109, 809) having an outer surface (102, 802) and an inner surface (101, 801), a fin (103, 803) extending from the inner surface of the tube, the fin having a length (LF) measured along the inner surface, the fin positioned with its length along a direction offset from a longitudinal direction of the tube, wherein the tube provides a collection channel therethrough. There is further provided an apparatus (10) for collecting aquatic animals, such as fish, the apparatus comprising: a porous container (12) having an entrance for receiving aquatic animals, such as fish, and the collection device described above, the collection device connected to the entrance of the porous container, wherein the tube of the collection device is rotatable relative to the container.

Description

[0001] DEVICE, APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COLLECTION OF AQUATIC ANIMALS

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to collection devices, apparatuses and methods for collecting aquatic animals and particularly, but not exclusively, to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for collecting fish, such as dead, diseased or dying fish.

[0004] Background

[0005] Aquaculture involves the controlled cultivation of fish or other aquatic animals within enclosures such as cages or nets submerged in a sea or an inland waterway. Over time, dead fish tend to accumulate at the bottom of aquaculture enclosures. This may pose numerous problems such as the blocking of fresh water flow, the spreading of disease or hygiene issues among surviving fish and other aquatic animals, and the potential attraction of predators that may cause damage to the enclosure.

[0006] In order to minimise the aforementioned problems it is necessary to regularly remove dead fish from aquaculture enclosures. In some cases this has involved human divers being deployed into enclosures to manually remove dead fish. This is dangerous and laborious work and often prohibitively expensive such that removal of dead fish may not be performed as regularly as is needed.

[0007] It is also known to deploy remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) into enclosures to collect dead fish. ROVs are provided with pumping systems to lift and move dead fish into a container for removal at the surface. However, pumping systems introduce additional capital expense and maintenance costs to the ROV, and require additional energy to operate.

[0008] Accordingly, there is a need for an alternative apparatus which overcomes, or at least ameliorates, one or more of the aforementioned problems. Summary

[0009] There is provided a collection device for an apparatus for collecting aquatic animals, the collection device comprising: a tube having an outer surface and an inner surface, a fin extending from the inner surface of the tube, the fin having a length measured along the inner surface, the fin positioned with its length along a direction offset from a longitudinal direction of the tube, wherein the tube provides a collection channel therethrough.

[0010] Optionally, the collection device may be for a fish-collecting apparatus. Optionally, the collection device may be for an aquatic ROV, or a diver operated collection apparatus. The fin may be considered as a blade and, when the tube is rotated, the fin acts as a propeller blade to cause flow through the tube. The position of the fin extending from the inner surface of the tube enables objects such as animals, for example, fish, such as dead fish to pass through the collection channel and therefore through the tube.

[0011] Optionally, the tube may be cylindrical, for example, the inner surface may be cylindrical. Optionally, the tube has a length along the longitudinal direction of the tube. The length may be less than a diameter measured normal to the longitudinal direction, for example three times less. The longitudinal direction may be defined as the direction of an axis through the centre of the tube.

[0012] Optionally, the inner surface of the tube has a circular cross section. Optionally, the inner surface forms an open cylinder.

[0013] Optionally, the collection device further comprises a tube entry being connected to a front end of the tube, and / or a tube exit being connected to a rear end of the tube. The tube entry may have a diverging shape. The tube exit may have a having a converging shape. Alternatively, the tube entry and / or exit may have a constant diameter which may equal the diameter of the tube. In a converging shape, the cross-sectional area in the tube entiy / exit decreases along a length of the tube from the front to the rear. In a diverging shape, the cross-sectional area in the tube entry / exit increases along a length of the tube from the front to the rear. In this way, the entry and exit to the tube may be smaller than the tube.

[0014] Optionally, the inner surface of the tube and optional tube entry and exit has a cylindrical shape with a constant diameter from a front of the tube or tube entry to a rear of the tube or tube exit. In this way, the entry and exit to the tube may be equal sized to the tube itself. The tube may be rotatable with respect to the tube entry and / or exit.

[0015] Optionally, the collection device further comprising: a filter, wherein the filter is positioned between the collection channel and the fin. Optionally, the filter is tube-shaped. Optionally, the filter comprises a series of bars, optionally with a maximum spacing between the bars of less than 10cm, for example, less than 5cm, or 1cm. The filter may be adjustable to allow the device to be optimised for each application. For example, the bars may be removable so that the spacing may be adjusted. In this way fish can travel through the collection channel in the filter without contacting the fins as they cannot pass through the bars in the filter.

[0016] The tube may be rotatable with respect to the filter. The fins may be rotatable with respect to the filter and / or the tube entry and / or tube exit.

[0017] Optionally, the tube-shaped filter has a circular cross section. Optionally, the tube-shaped filter has a front section having a converging shape, a central section having a cylindrical shape and a rear section having a diverging shape. In this way, the entry and exit to the tube-shaped filter may be larger than the central section. Converging and diverging take the same meaning as presented above.

[0018] Optionally, the filter and the tube and optionally the tube entry and / or exit encase the fin between the filter and the inner surface of the tube and optionally the tube entry and / or exit. In this way, the fin is positioned outside of the filter tube, but inside of the tube. The term encase may mean that no path exists to the fin from the collection channel that has a greater width than a maximum spacing of the filter, or 10 cm. The collection channel provided through the tube may be an unobstructed channel. The collection channel may be cylindrical and may have a diameter, or width of at least 15cm, preferably at least 20cm or between 60% and 90%, preferably 75-80%, or more preferably 80% of the diameter or width of the inner surface of the tube. The diameter of the collection channel may be 20cm or 25cm, or up to 25cm. The diameter or width of the inner surface of the tube may be between 15 and 35cm, preferably, between 20 and 30cm, or more preferably 25cm.

[0019] The fin may extend from a curved path on the inner surface. The length of the fin may be measured along a centre of the path on the inner surface from which the fin extends. The direction in which the length of the fin extends may be offset from a longitudinal direction of the tube by between 5 and 85 degrees.

[0020] The fin may extend from the inner surface normal to the inner surface, or at angle between 0 and 90 degrees. Optionally, the fin may extend from the inner surface in a direction that varies along its length. For example, at a front end of the fin, the fin may extend from the inner surface in a direction toward a front end of the tube and at a rear end of the fin, the fin may extend from the inner surface in a direction toward a rear end of the tube. The direction may vary smoothly, or continuously along the length of the fin. This improves the flow produced by rotating the tube.

[0021] Optionally, the fin has a height of between 10mm and 70mm, for example, between 20 and 70mm, the height being measured in the direction in which the fin extends away from the inner surface. Optionally, the height of the fin is less than 70mm, preferably less than 50mm, preferably less than 30mm. Optionally, the fin has a thickness in a direction parallel to the inner surface and normal to the length of the fin of between 2mm and 1cm, preferably between 3mm and 8mm, or greater than 10mm. Optionally, the thickness of the fin is between 10mm and 50mm, preferably between 10mm and 30mm. Optionally, the fin has a length of greater than 50mm.

[0022] Optionally, the fin has rounded edges, and / or rounded ends. Optionally, all external edges of the fin have a minimum radius of curvature greater than 1mm, preferably greater than 3 mm, preferably 5mm or greater. Optionally, a front edge of the fin has a greater radius of curvature than side edges of the fin. The front edge of the fin may be the edge nearest a front edge of the tube. The front edge of the fin may have a radius of curvature of greater than 5mm, preferably greater than 10mm, preferably 15mm, or greater. The front edge may have a radius of curvature of at least 50% of the height of the fin, for example 60% or greater.

[0023] Optionally, the fin has a consistent cross-sectional shape along a central portion of its length. Optionally, the central portion is at least 80% of the length of the fin. Optionally, the cross section is a partial oval, or D-shape, such as a semi-oval, semi-pill-shape, or a rounded trapezoid, such as a symmetrical rounded trapezoid. The rounded nature reduces damage caused to dead or diseased fish which reduces spread of infection.

[0024] Optionally, the thickness of the fin is greater than 30% of the height of the fin, preferably, greater than 50%, preferably greater than 80%. Optionally, the thickness of the fin is less than 300% of the height of the fin, preferably, less than 200%, or less than 150%, or less than 120%. Optionally, the thickness of the fin is the same size as the height of the fin. Optionally, the length of the fin is at least 300%, or 500% of the height or width of the fin. The inventors have found that flow induced by rounded fins with these dimensions are able to collect dead and diseased fish with reduced likelihood of damage to the fish. The fins with such dimension are also resistant to impact damage.

[0025] Optionally, a base of the fin, on the inner surface of the tube is an oval shape, such as a pill shape.

[0026] Optionally, the collection device further comprises one or more additional fins, the fin and the additional fin(s) being spaced circumferentially around the inner surface. For example, there may be a total of one fin, two fins, three fins, four fins or five fins. Optionally, the fins are nonoverlapping in in the longitudinal direction.

[0027] Optionally, a minimum inner diameter of the tube is greater than 10cm, optionally greater than 15cm, preferably greater than 20cm. An inner diameter of the tube is measured normal to the longitudinal direction of the tube, dissecting a central axis of the tube between the fin(s) and / or the inner surface and / or the filter. The minimum inner diameter is the smallest possible measurement of the inner diameter of the tube.

[0028] Optionally, the collection device further comprises a funnel connected to a front end of the tube. The funnel may have a converging shape such that an entry to the funnel has a larger cross-section than the portion of the funnel connected to the front end of the tube. The funnel may have an elongated cross-section at the entry, such as an oval, stadium, or pill shape. Alternatively, the funnel entry may be circular. The entry to the funnel may have a maximum width of at least 1.5 times the width of the collection channel, for example, greater than 40cm, preferably 50cm. The funnel entry may have a maximum width of a longest dimension of the elongated shape. The funnel entry may have a minimum width of a shortest dimension of the elongated shape. The funnel may have a minimum width equal to or greater than the width of the collection channel, for example, 20cm.

[0029] Optionally, the funnel has a slot in a wall of the funnel. The slot may have a width, normal to the longitudinal direction. The slot may have a length parallel to the longitudinal direction from a front edge of the funnel, being an edge farthest from the tube, to a base edge of the slot, the base edge being the closest edge of the slot to the tube. The width may be greater than the length. The width of the slot may be greater than 10cm, for example 20cm or greater, or greater than 50% of the maximum width of the funnel. The length of the slot may be greater than 5cm, such as 10cm or greater, or greater than 50% of the length of the funnel. The slot may be positioned in a lower wall of the funnel. The slot may be positioned in a flat surface of the funnel. The slot may be positioned in a lower surface of a pill-shaped funnel. The slot allows fish to be collected from beneath the collection device.

[0030] Optionally, the collection device further comprises a tube case, the tube case laterally surrounding the tube. The tube case may be configured such that it does not obstruct the collection channel. The funnel may be integral with the tube case.

[0031] Alternatively, the collection device further comprises a nozzle connected to a front end of the tube. The nozzle may have a diverging shape such that an entry to the nozzle has a smaller cross-section than the portion of the nozzle connected to the front end of the tube. The entry to the nozzle may have a maximum width of at least 0.5 times the width of the collection channel, for example, greater than 10cm.

[0032] Optionally, the collection device further comprises an exit guide, the exit guide being positioned adjacent a rear end of the tube. Optionally, the exit guide is tube-shaped. Optionally, an internal cross-section of the exit guide has the same shape as a cross section of the inner surface of the tube and, optionally, a central longitudinal axis of the exit guide is aligned with an axis through the centre of the tube. Optionally, the exit guide has a length longer than a length of the tube, for example at least 200% of the length of the tube. Optionally, the length of the exit guide is at least as large as a diameter of the internal crosssection of the tube. Optionally, the length of the exit guide is the same size as a diameter of the internal cross-section of the tube. Optionally, the exit guide is between 15cm and 35cm in length, preferably, between 20 and 30cm, or more preferably 25cm. The exit guide increases flow induced by rotation of the tube.

[0033] Optionally, the collection device further comprises a drive member on the outer surface of the tube. The drive member may comprise one or more protrusions extending from the outer surface. For example, two parallel protrusions, each extending around a circumference of the outer surface to create a channel between them. Alternatively, the drive member may comprise cog-like protrusions or other protrusions. The drive member allows easier gripping of the tube by a rotational drive mechanism.

[0034] There is further provided an apparatus for collecting aquatic animals, such as fish, the apparatus comprising: a porous container having an entrance for receiving aquatic animals, such as fish, and a collection device as described above, the collection device connected to the entrance of the porous container, wherein the tube of the collection device is rotatable relative to the container.

[0035] The porous container may comprise a net. Optionally, the porous container comprises a rigid basket. Optionally, the porous container has a capacity of at least 100kg of fish, or at least 0.5 tonne of fish. The collection channel may be directed towards the entrance. For example, the axis of the collection device may pass through the entrance.

[0036] Optionally, the apparatus further comprises a drive mechanism configured to rotate the tube of the collection device, and the drive mechanism comprises a gear drive mechanism, belt drive mechanism or magnet drive mechanism. The drive mechanism may engage the drive member on the collection device. Optionally, the tube of the collection device is rotatable at 600rpm.

[0037] The drive mechanism may comprise a gear external to the collection device, the gear configured to drive the rotation of the tube of the collection device. Optionally, the gear may be configured to drive the rotation via a belt. Alternatively, the tube may comprise one or more magnets and the apparatus may comprise a stator, optionally external to the collection device, the stator configured to drive the rotation by electromagnetic interaction with the magnets of the tube. Optionally the drive mechanism may be contained in the tube case.

[0038] Optionally, a rotation axis of the tube passes through the entrance of the porous container. In this way, objects may be axially pumped through the collection channel into the container by rotation of the tube.

[0039] Optionally, the exit guide is located within the porous container. Optionally the exit guide is tilted such that a rear of the exit guide is higher than a front of the exit guide. This enables the avoidance of fish in the bottom of the porous container falling back through the tube and out of the porous container. Optionally, the tube and optionally the funnel is located outside the porous container.

[0040] Optionally, the apparatus comprises one or more handles. In this way, a diver may transport the apparatus to the object to be collected. Optionally, the apparatus comprises one or more skids on a lower side of the porous container. This aids movement along a seabed. There is further provided a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for collecting aquatic animals, such as fish, the ROV comprising the apparatus as described above.

[0041] There is further provided a method of collecting objects, such as aquatic animals, such as fish from an aquatic environment by rotating a tube of a collection device to produce a flow of water axially therethrough, and collecting objects that pass through the collection device in the flow of water.

[0042] The axial path of the flow of water provides an easy path for objects to follow, thereby reducing friction and blockages of the collection. Optionally, the method comprises producing the flow of water though an unobstructed collection channel of at least 10cm in diameter or width.

[0043] Optionally, rotating the tube of the collection device comprises driving the rotation electromagnetically, or, using a belt drive mechanism, and / or a gear mechanism. Optionally, the method comprises rotating the tube of the collection device at, at least, 600rpm.

[0044] Optionally, the collection device comprises a fin and the method further comprises preventing the objects from touching the fin, for example by providing a filter.

[0045] Optionally, the method comprises using a collection device, apparatus and / or ROV, optionally as described above.

[0046] An aquatic environment may include a tank, sea, lake, river, fish farm, aquaculture enclosure or another body of water.

[0047] There is further provided a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions adapted to cause a 3D printer to print a collection device as described above. The terms inner and outer surface of the tube take their normal meaning. The inner surface of the tube faces substantially towards the centre of the tube and the outer surface faces substantially away from the centre of the tube. The inner surface faces towards the collection channel and the outer surface of the tube faces away from the collection channel.

[0048] The methods, devices, apparatuses and ROVs described above may be combined in any possible combination. The optional features described above are equally applicable to all of the described methods, devices, apparatuses and ROVs and are not limited to the particular method, device, apparatus or ROV with which they are described here. The essential features of any of the methods, devices, apparatuses and ROVs described may be optional features of any other method, device, apparatus or ROV described.

[0049] Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the claims and the following description.

[0050] Brief Description of Drawings

[0051] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams, in which: -

[0052] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first collection device for a fish-collection apparatus;

[0053] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of second collection device for a fish-collection apparatus;

[0054] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of third collection device for a fish-collection apparatus;

[0055] Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of the collection device of Fig. 3;

[0056] Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of fourth collection device for a fish-collection apparatus;

[0057] Fig. 6 shows a sectional view of the collection device of Fig. 5;

[0058] Fig. 7 shows a perspective sectional view of a fifth collection device for a fish-collection apparatus;

[0059] Fig. 8 shows a perspective schematic view of an aquatic ROV including the collection device of Fig. 5;

[0060] Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of a sixth collection device for a fish collection apparatus; Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of a seventh collection device for a fish collection apparatus;

[0061] Fig. 11 shows a rear view of the collection device of Fig. 10;

[0062] Fig. 12 shows a front view of the collection device of Fig. 10;

[0063] Fig. 13 shows a side view of the collection device of Fig. 10;

[0064] Fig. 14 shows a side schematic view of an aquatic ROV including the collection device of Fig. 10.

[0065] Detailed Description

[0066] A number of different embodiments of the disclosure are described subsequently. In order to minimise repetition, similar features of the different embodiments are numbered with a common two-digit reference numeral and are differentiated by a third digit placed before the two common digits. Such features are structured similarly, operate similarly, and / or have similar functions unless otherwise indicated.

[0067] Shown in Fig, 1 is a collection device 100 for a fish-collection apparatus. The collection device comprising: a tube 109 having an inner surface 101 and an outer surface 102 and, a fin 103 extending from the inner surface 101 of the tube 109. The fin 103 has a length LF measured along the inner surface 101. The fin is positioned with its length LF along a direction offset from a longitudinal direction of the tube 109, wherein the tube provides a collection channel C therethrough. The position of the fin 103 extending from the inner surface 101 of the tube 109 enables objects such as animals, fish, such as dead fish to pass through the collection channel C and therefore through the tube 109.

[0068] The inner surface 101 is cylindrical. The tube 109 has a length LT along the longitudinal direction of the tube 109. The length LT is less than a diameter of the tube measured normal to the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction is the direction of an axis A through the centre of the tube 109. The inner surface 101 of the tube has a circular cross section, the cross-section being normal to the axis A and inner surface 101 forms an open cylinder. The inner surface 101 of the tube 109 has a cylindrical shape with a constant diameter of 25cm from a front of the tube to a back of the tube.

[0069] The collection channel C provided through the tube is unobstructed. The collection channel has a clear unobstructed diameter of 20cm which is 80% of the diameter of the inner surface 101 of the tube.

[0070] The fin 103 extends from a curved path on the inner surface 101. The length LF of the fin is measured as shown along a centre of the path on the inner surface from which the fin extends. The direction in which the length LF of the fin 103 extends is offset from a longitudinal direction of the tube by approx. 60 degrees.

[0071] The fin 103 extends from the inner surface 101 in a direction that varies between around 80 degrees and 90 degrees along its length. At a front end of the fin 103, the fin extends from the inner surface 101 in a direction toward a front end of the tube at approx. 80 degrees and at a rear end of the fin 103, the fin extends from the inner surface at approx. 90 degrees. The direction varies smoothly along the length of the fin 103.

[0072] The fin has a height of 25mm, the height being measured in the direction in which the fin extends away from the inner surface 101. Optionally, the fin has a thickness in a direction parallel to the inner surface 101 and normal to the length LF of the fin of between 3mm and 8mm

[0073] The collection device further comprises two additional fins 104, 105, the fin and the additional fins being spaced circumferentially around the inner surface, and having the same properties (e.g. angle, length, thickness).

[0074] A minimum inner diameter of the tube is greater than 20cm. The minimum inner diameter is the smallest possible measurement of the inner diameter of the tube 109 between the fins 103, 104, 105 and the inner surface 101. The collection device further comprises a drive member 106 on the outer surface 102 of the tube 109. The drive member 106 comprises two parallel protrusions, each extending around a circumference of the outer surface to create a channel between them.

[0075] Fig. 2 shows a second collection device 200 which comprises the tube 109, fins 103, 104, 105 and drive member 106 of Fig. 1 and a filter 207.

[0076] The filter 207 is positioned between the collection channel C and the fins 103, 104, 105. The filter 207 is tube-shaped with a circular cross-section and comprises a series of bars, with a maximum spacing between the bars of less than 10cm. In this way fish can travel through the collection channel in the filter without contacting the fins as they cannot pass through the bars in the filter.

[0077] Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 show a third collection device 300. The third collection device 300 has a tube entry 308 having a diverging shape, a tube 109 having a cylindrical shape and a tube exit 310 having a converging shape. In this way, the cross-section of the front of the tube entry 308 and the rear of the tube exit 310 are smaller than the tube 109.

[0078] The tube 109 in Fig. 3, with fins 103, 104, 105 and drive member 106 is the same as the tube 109 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The third collection device 300 also comprises filter 207 as shown in Fig. 2 and described above.

[0079] The filter 207 and the tube entry 308, tube 109 and tube exit 310 encase the fins 103, 104, 105 between the filter 207 and the inner surface 101 of the tube 109. In this way, the fin is positioned outside of the filter tube 207, but inside of the tube entry 308, tube 109 and tube exit 310. This means that objects larger than the filter spacing passing through the tube inside the filter tube 207 cannot contact the fins 103, 104, 105.

[0080] The tube 109 is rotatable with respect to the tube entry 308 and the tube exit 310 and the filter 207. So, the fins 103, 104, 105 which extend from the inner surface of the tube 109 of are also rotatable with respect to the tube entry 308 and the tube exit 310 and the filter 207.

[0081] Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 shows a fourth collection device 500 which comprises the collection device shown in Fig. 3 and an additional funnel 511.

[0082] The tube 109 in Fig. 5, with fins 103, 104, 105 and drive member 106 is the same as the tube 109 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 and described above. The filter 207 in Fig. 5 is the same as filter 207 shown in Fig. 2 and described above. Tube entry 308 and tube exit 310 are the same as hose components shown in Fig. 3.

[0083] The funnel 511 is connected to a front end of the tube entry 308. The funnel 511 has a converging shape such that the entry to the funnel 511 has a larger cross-section than the portion of the funnel 511 connected to the tube entry 308. The funnel 511 is connected indirectly to the tube 109 via the tube entry 308. The funnel 511 has an elongated pillshaped cross-section at the funnel entry.

[0084] Fig. 7 shows a fifth collection device 700 with an alternative tube entry, exit and filter tube shape. The tube 109 (which is as shown in Fig. 1 and described above) is connected to tube entry 708 and tube exit 710. Tube entry 708 and tube exit 710 are similar to tube entry 308 and tube exit 310 except tube entry and exit 708 and 710 have a cylindrical shape with constant diameters along their length.

[0085] The tube-shaped filter 707 is similar to tube-shaped filter 207 except that tube-shaped filter 707 has a front section having a converging shape, a central section having a cylindrical shape and a rear section having a diverging shape. In this way, the entry and exit to the tube-shaped filter are larger than the central section.

[0086] The filter 707, the tube 109, tube entry 708 and tube exit 710 encase the fins 103, 104, 105 between the filter 707 and the inner surface 101 of the tube 109, tube entry 708 and tube exit 710. In this way, the fins 103, 104, 105 are positioned outside of the filter tube 707, but inside of the tube 109. This means that objects larger than the filter spacing passing through the tube inside the filter tube 707 cannot contact the fins 103, 104, 105.

[0087] Funnel 711 is connected to the front of tube entry 708. Funnel 711 is similar to funnel 511 shown in Fig. 5 but is sized to connect to the cylindrical tube entry 708.

[0088] Fig. 8 shows a schematic diagram of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) 10 for collecting fish. The ROV comprises an apparatus which has a porous container 12 having an entrance for receiving fish, and the collection device 500 shown in Fig. 5 as described above. The collection device 500 is connected to the entrance of the porous container 12, and the tube 109 of the collection device 500 is rotatable relative to the container 12.

[0089] Container 12 is for storing collected objects, e.g. dead fish. Though not shown in the figures, the container 12 is porous such that water and possibly aquatic animals and organisms which are smaller than those targeted for collection are able to pass through or escape from the porous container 12. Although the porous container is represented in the schematic drawings as being cuboidal in shape with a planar base 12b, a planar top 12t, and four planar sides 12s, it will be appreciated that other shapes are not precluded.

[0090] An entrance is provided on a forward-facing side 12s of the container 12 through which dead fish must pass to enter the container 12. The collection device is positioned such that the collection channel is directed towards the entrance to the container 12.

[0091] The apparatus further comprises a drive mechanism configured to rotate the tube of the collection device, and the drive mechanism comprises a gear drive mechanism. The drive mechanism engages the drive member 106 on the collection device 500. By operating the drive mechanism, the tube 109 of the collection device 500 is rotatable at 600rpm. The drive mechanism has a gear external to the collection device, the gear configured to drive the rotation of the tube of the collection device. A rotation axis of the tube 109 of the collection device 500 passes through the entrance of the porous container. In this way, objects may be axially pumped through the collection channel into the container by rotation of the tube 109 of the collection device 500.

[0092] In use, the objects can be collected from an aquatic environment by rotating the tube 109 of one of the collection devices 100, 200, 300, 500, 700 described above to produce a flow of water axially therethrough, and collecting objects that pass through the collection device in the flow of water.

[0093] Advantageously, the flow of water is produced though an unobstructed collection channel of at least 10cm in diameter or width.

[0094] In use, the apparatus described above may be carried by a remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) which can be propelled and manoeuvred in three -dimensions within a body of water to a target location. The ROV may be purpose-built, or it may be retrofitted to include the apparatus of the present invention. The ROV may be tethered to a control centre on the surface via an umbilical or it may be wirelessly controlled. Ancillary apparatus such as video cameras may be provided onboard the ROV to assist with manual operation. Alternatively, the ROV may be fully automated.

[0095] In use, the ROV is manoeuvred into a position proximate a target object or fish. As the ROV approaches objects or fish to be collected the tube 109 is rotated at 600 rpm to produce a flow of water through the tube, thereby causing the object or fish to pass into the container 12 in the flow of water. Once the container 12 is full or the collection process is otherwise completed, the rotation of the tube is halted and the ROV is re-positioned or removed to the surface for emptying.

[0096] Fig. 9 shows collection device 800 for a fish-collection apparatus. The collection device comprises: a tube 809 having an inner surface 801 and an outer surface 802 and, a fin 803 extending from the inner surface 801 of the tube 809. The fin 803 has a length LF measured along the inner surface 801. The fin is positioned with its length LF along a direction offset from a longitudinal direction of the tube 809, wherein the tube provides a collection channel C therethrough. The position of the fin 803 extending from the inner surface 801 of the tube 809 enables objects such as animals, fish, such as dead fish to pass through the collection channel C and therefore through the tube 809.

[0097] The inner surface 801 is cylindrical. The tube 809 has a length LT along the longitudinal direction of the tube 809. The length LT is less than a diameter of the tube measured normal to the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction is the direction of an axis A through the centre of the tube 809.

[0098] The inner surface 801 of the tube has a circular cross section, the cross-section being normal to the axis A and inner surface 801 forms an open cylinder. The inner surface 801 of the tube 809 has a cylindrical shape with a constant diameter of 25cm from a front of the tube to a back of the tube.

[0099] The collection channel C provided through the tube is unobstructed. The collection channel has a clear unobstructed diameter of 20cm which is 80% of the diameter of the inner surface 801 of the tube.

[0100] The fin 803 extends from a curved path on the inner surface 801. The length LF of the fin is measured as shown along a centre of the path on the inner surface from which the fin extends. The direction in which the length LF of the fin 803 extends is offset from a longitudinal direction of the tube by approx. 60 degrees.

[0101] The fin 803 has a height of 25mm, the height being measured in the direction in which the fin extends away from the inner surface. The fin 803 has a thickness in a direction parallel to the inner surface and normal to the length of the fin of 25mm. The fin has a length of greater than 50mm. The fin has a 1:1 ratio between the height and thickness of the fin.

[0102] The fin 803 has rounded edges, and rounded ends. All external edges of the fin 803 have a minimum radius of curvature of 5mm. A front edge of the fin has a radius of curvature of 15mm, which is 60% of the height of the fin. The fin has a consistent cross-sectional shape along a central portion of its length, the central portion being at least 80% of the length of the fin 803. The cross sectional shape is a D-shape. A base of the fin 803, on the inner surface 801 of the tube is an oval shape, such as a pill shape.

[0103] The collection device further comprises three additional fins 804, 805 and 815 (not shown in Fig. 9), the fin 803 and the additional fins 804, 805, 815 being spaced circumferentially around the inner surface, and having the same properties (e.g. angle, length, thickness). The fins 803, 804, 805, 815 are nonoverlapping in in the longitudinal direction.

[0104] The collection device further comprises a drive member 806 on the outer surface 802 of the tube 809. The drive member 806 comprises two parallel protrusions, each extending around a circumference of the outer surface to create a channel between them. Drive member 806 enables a belt to drive rotation of tube 809. In other embodiments, the drive member may be of an alternative type, such as a gear drive mechanism or a magnet drive mechanism.

[0105] Figs. 10 to 13 show an alternative collection device 900 which comprises the tube of Fig. 8, exit guide 914, tube case 913 and funnel 911.

[0106] Funnel 911 is connected to a front end of the tube 800. The funnel 911 has a converging shape such that an entry to the funnel has a larger cross-section than the portion of the funnel connected to the front end of the tube. The funnel has an elongated cross-section at the entry, in this case a pill shape. The funnel has a maximum width WF.

[0107] The funnel 911 has a slot 916 in a lower wall of the funnel as can be seen in the perspective view of Fig. 10 and the front view of Fig. 12. The slot has a width WS, normal to the longitudinal direction A. The slot has a length LS parallel to the longitudinal direction A from a front edge of the funnel, being an edge farthest from the tube, to a base edge of the slot, the base edge being the closest edge of the slot to the tube. The width is greater than the length. The width of the slot is 20cm and the length of the slot is 10cm. The tube case 913 laterally surrounds the tube 800 in a direction normal to the longitudinal direction A. The tube case is configured such that it does not obstruct the collection channel C, as can be seen in the rear view of Fig 11 and front view of Fig. 12 . The funnel is integral with the tube case and the funnel 911 is connected to the front end of the tube 800 via the tube case 913.

[0108] The non-overlapping nature of fins 803, 804, 805, 815 in the longitudinal direction can be seen in the rear view of Fig 11 and front view of Fig. 12.

[0109] Exit guide 914 is positioned adjacent a rear end of the tube 809. The exit guide 914 is tubeshaped and an internal cross-section of the exit guide 914 has the same shape as a cross section of the inner surface 801 of the tube. The central longitudinal axis of the exit guide 914 is aligned with an axis A through the centre of the tube. The exit guide 914 has a length of 250mm, which is the same size as the internal diameter of the tube 809 and around three times longer than a length of the tube LT.

[0110] The aquatic ROV shown in Fig. 14 includes collection device 900 and porous container 912. The porous container 912 is a rigid basket with a capacity of at least 100kg of fish. The ROV further has two skids on a lower side of the porous container 912 (not shown).

[0111] Although particular embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed herein in detail, this has been done by way of example and for the purposes of illustration only. The aforementioned embodiments are not intended to be limiting with respect to the scope of the appended claims.

[0112] It is contemplated by the inventors that various substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A collection device for an apparatus for collecting aquatic animals, the collection device comprising: a tube having an outer surface and an inner surface, a fin extending from the inner surface of the tube, the fin having a length measured along the inner surface, the fin positioned with its length along a direction offset from a longitudinal direction of the tube, wherein the tube provides a collection channel therethrough.

2. A collection device according to claim 1, wherein a minimum inner diameter of the tube is greater than 20cm.

3. A collection device according to claim 1 or claim 2, the collection device further comprising a funnel connected to a front end of the tube.

4. A collection device according to claim 3, wherein an entry of the funnel has an elongated cross-section.

5. A collection device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the funnel has a slot in a wall of the funnel.

6. A collection device according to claim 5, wherein the slot has a width, normal to the longitudinal direction, and a length parallel to the longitudinal direction from a front edge of the funnel, being an edge farthest from the tube, to a base edge of the slot, the base edge being the closest edge of the slot to the tube, wherein the width of the slot is greater than the length of the slot.

7. A collection device according to any preceding claim, wherein the fin has a height of between 10 and 70mm, the height being measured in the direction in which the fin extends away from the inner surface.

8. A collection device according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein a thickness of the fin is greater than 50% of a height of the fin.

9. A collection device according to any preceding claim, wherein the fin has rounded edges.

10. A collection device according to any preceding claim, wherein the collection device further comprises one or more additional fins, the fin and the additional fin(s) being spaced circumferentially around the inner surface.

11. An apparatus for collecting aquatic animals, such as fish, the apparatus comprising: a porous container having an entrance for receiving aquatic animals, such as fish, and the collection device of any of claims 1 to 10, the collection device connected to the entrance of the porous container, wherein the tube of the collection device is rotatable relative to the container.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the tube of the collection device is rotatable at 600rpm.

13. The apparatus of claims 11 or 12, wherein the apparatus further comprises a drive mechanism configured to rotate the tube of the collection device, and the drive mechanism comprises a gear drive mechanism, belt drive mechanism or magnet drive mechanism.

14. The apparatus of any one of claims 11, 12, or 13, wherein a rotation axis of the tube of the collection device passes through the entrance of the porous container.

15. A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for collecting aquatic animals, such as fish, the ROV comprising the apparatus of any one of claims 11 to 14.

16. A method of collecting objects from an aquatic environment by rotating a tube of a collection device to produce a flow of water axially therethrough, and collecting objects that pass through the collection device in the flow of water.

17. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions adapted to cause a 3D printer to print a collection device according to any of claims 1 to 10.

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