Device for culturing underwater plant

Abstract

A seaweed-culturing device (10) comprising: a culturing line (2) that is configured to be removable and that is formed of a rope for rooting a plant that is cultured underwater; a horizontal part (12) for keeping the culturing line (2) horizontal underwater; a support part (11) that supports the horizontal part (12) so that the horizontal part is fixed to the bottom of the water; a plurality of poles (13) that are provided to the horizontal part (12) and that extend vertically toward the water surface; a plurality of stoppers (14) that are provided to the plurality of poles (13) and that hold the culturing line 2 at a prescribed water depth; and a plurality of buoys (15) that are provided to the plurality of poles (13) and that generate buoyancy so as to keep the culturing line 2 at the prescribed water depth.

Description

Underwater plant cultivation equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to an underwater plant cultivation device for cultivating plants in water.

[0002] It is generally known that seaweed can be cultivated in the ocean. However, because seaweed undergoes photosynthesis, it cannot grow in deep waters.

[0003] An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide an underwater plant cultivation device that makes it easy to cultivate plants in deep water.

[0004] An underwater plant cultivation device according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a removable cultivation rope comprising a rope for rooting plants cultivated underwater, a horizontal section for keeping the cultivation rope horizontal in the water, a support section for supporting the horizontal section so as to fix it to the bottom of the water, a plurality of vertical members provided on the horizontal section and extending vertically toward the water surface, a plurality of stoppers provided on the plurality of vertical members for keeping the cultivation rope at a predetermined water depth, and a plurality of buoys provided on the plurality of vertical members for generating buoyancy to maintain the cultivation rope at the predetermined water depth.

[0005] Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the side of a seaweed cultivation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a side view of a fixing part according to this embodiment, as seen from the side. Fig. 3 is a top view of a fixing part according to this embodiment, as seen from above. Fig. 4 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of an aquaculture rope according to this embodiment. Fig. 5 is a top view of an aquaculture rope according to this embodiment attached to a fixing part, as seen from above. Fig. 6 is a flow chart showing the steps of a seaweed cultivation method using the seaweed cultivation device according to this embodiment.

[0006] 1 is a configuration diagram showing a side view of a seaweed cultivation device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that the same parts in the drawings are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted as appropriate.

[0007] The seaweed cultivation apparatus 10 is an apparatus for cultivating seaweed in the ocean. For example, the seaweed cultivated may be brown algae such as Sargassum, giant kelp, kelp, wakame seaweed, hijiki seaweed, or mozuku seaweed. The plants cultivated using the seaweed cultivation apparatus 10 are not limited to algae, and any plants that grow in water (including the ocean) may be used, including plants that grow in freshwater or brackish water. The location where the seaweed cultivation apparatus 10 is installed is not limited to the ocean, and may be a lake or river.

[0008] The seaweed cultivation device 10 comprises a fixing part 1 and a culture rope 2. The fixing part 1 is a part of the seaweed cultivation device 10 that is fixed to the seabed, and is made up of members other than the culture rope 2.

[0009] The cultivation rope 2 is separate from the fixed part 1. The cultivation rope 2 is a rope for rooting the seaweed to be cultivated. When cultivating seaweed, the cultivation rope 2 is attached to the fixed part 1. When harvesting the cultivated seaweed or preparing for cultivation, the cultivation rope 2 is detached from the fixed part 1 and pulled out of the water. After the cultivation preparation process (such as planting seeds or seedlings), the cultivation rope 2 is returned to the water and attached to the fixed part 1.

[0010] Fig. 2 is a side view of the fixed unit 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 3 is a top view of the fixed unit 1 according to this embodiment. Note that Fig. 3 shows a state in which the buoy 15 and the flag 16 have been removed.

[0011] The fixed portion 1 includes a plurality of support portions 11 , a horizontal portion 12 , a plurality of poles 13 , a plurality of stoppers 14 , a plurality of buoys 15 , and a plurality of flags 16 .

[0012] The support part 11 and the horizontal part 12 are mainly composed of rope. The support part 11 and the horizontal part 12 may be formed integrally using a common rope. The support part 11 is a member that supports the horizontal part 12 so that it is fixed to the seabed. The horizontal part 12 is a base part that keeps the aquaculture rope 2 attached to the fixing part 1 horizontal in the sea. The horizontal part 12 is fixed to the seabed by the support part 11 while being kept horizontal in the sea. For example, a support part 11 is provided at each of the four corners of the horizontal part 12, which is formed in a rectangular shape.

[0013] It should be noted that any number of support units 11 may be provided. Furthermore, the support units 11 may be fixed to the seabed in any manner. For example, the support units 11 may be fixed to the seabed with stakes, or may be fixed to rocks or the like on the seabed, or may be fixed by attaching weights or the like to the tips of the support units 11.

[0014] The horizontal section 12 has a rectangular outer frame, and the inside of the frame is divided by equally spaced straight lines (vertical lines in Figure 3). The shape of the horizontal section 12 may be any shape as long as it is flat overall. It is desirable that the horizontal section 12 be approximately parallel to the sea surface so that sunlight hits all parts evenly, but it may be tilted relative to the sea surface as long as it does not have a significant adverse effect on seaweed cultivation.

[0015] The poles 13 are provided at regular intervals on the ropes forming the horizontal section 12. The poles 13 are rod-shaped and extend perpendicular to the horizontal section 12. In the sea, the poles 13 are provided so as to extend vertically toward the water surface. The poles 13 are provided at positions that divide each of the vertical ropes of the horizontal section 12 (two ropes on both the left and right sides of the outer frame of the horizontal section 12 shown in Figure 3 and multiple ropes parallel to those two ropes) at equal intervals. The spaces between adjacent poles 13 in the vertical direction become areas where the cultivated seaweed will take root.

[0016] The arrangement of the poles 13 can be changed as desired. For example, if the seaweed cultivation device 10 is installed under a waterway through which ships pass, the interval between adjacent poles 13 may be wide (e.g., 33 m) to ensure the waterway is clear. Furthermore, by setting the interval between any adjacent poles 13 to a predetermined width (e.g., 10 m) or more, small vessels such as fishing boats can pass between any adjacent poles 13. Furthermore, the poles 13 may be replaced with any vertically extending member, such as a rope. In this case, this member is suspended by a buoy 15, and the flag 16 need not be installed above the member above the sea surface. This member may be made of a flexible material, such as a rope, or a rigid material, such as the poles 13.

[0017] The stopper 14 is a component for holding the aquaculture rope 2 at the optimum depth for seaweed growth. For example, the stopper 14 is in the shape of a flat plate such as a disk, with a hole in the center. The upper surface of the stopper 14 is formed in a shape larger than the threading portion 22 of the aquaculture rope 2. As a result, the threading portion 22 of the aquaculture rope 2 gets caught on the stopper 14, preventing the aquaculture rope 2 from sinking below the stopper 14. In other words, the stopper 14 prevents the aquaculture rope 2 from sinking below the stopper 14. The stopper 14 may have any shape as long as it functions to hold the aquaculture rope 2 at a predetermined depth.

[0018] The stopper 14 is fixed to the pole 13 with the pole 13 inserted into a hole provided in the center. The stopper 14 is fixed to the pole 13 so that the aquaculture rope 2 is located at the optimal depth (or height from the seabed). For example, the optimal depth is a depth at which the seaweed receives sufficient sunlight necessary for growth. Specifically, the stopper 14 is provided at a depth of approximately 5 to 15 meters. After the pole 13 is passed through the threading portion 22 provided on the aquaculture rope 2, the threading portion 22 is caught on the stopper 14, thereby keeping the aquaculture rope 2 at the optimal depth. The stopper 14 may have a function for fixing the pole 13 at any height.

[0019] The buoys 15 are provided near the top of each pole 13. The buoys 15 are components that generate buoyancy to pull the entire seaweed cultivation device 10 up via the poles 13. The buoys 15 are connected to the horizontal part 12 via the poles 13, and apply an upward pulling force to the horizontal part 12 due to their buoyancy. Each buoy 15 pulls up each part of the horizontal part 12 via the poles 13, thereby maintaining the culture rope 2 attached to the fixed part 1 at an optimum depth for cultivation. Any number of buoys 15 may be provided. The fixed part 1 may also include a component for providing buoyancy in addition to the buoys 15.

[0020] The flags 16 are attached on the buoys 15. The flags 16 are landmarks for locating the position of the seaweed cultivation equipment 10 from the sea. The flags 16 may be attached to all or some of the buoys 15, but may not be required.

[0021] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the aquaculture rope 2 according to this embodiment. Fig. 5 is a top view showing the aquaculture rope 2 according to this embodiment attached to the fixing part 1.

[0022] The aquaculture rope 2 comprises a main body 21, a plurality of threading portions 22, an end rope 23, and a float 24.

[0023] The main body 21 is a single rope. The main body 21 is the part where the cultivated seaweed takes root. Therefore, seaweed seeds or seedlings are planted in the main body 21. Note that the main body 21 may be provided with a net or the like for allowing the seaweed to take root.

[0024] The plurality of threading portions 22 are portions in which loops for threading the poles 13 are formed. The threading portions 22 may be formed of a flexible material such as a rope, or may be formed of a rigid material such as resin or metal. The size of the loops of the threading portions 22 may be configured to be adjustable. The threading portions 22 are arranged at predetermined positions on the main body 21. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the threading portions 22 shown in FIG. 4 are arranged so that their positions coincide with those of the poles 13 shown in FIG. 3.

[0025] The aquaculture rope 2 is attached to the fixed part 1 by passing the pole 13 through the through-hole 22. Therefore, there is no need to use components such as fasteners to fix the aquaculture rope 2 to the fixed part 1. In this way, by configuring the aquaculture rope 2 to be attached simply by hanging each through-hole 22 on each pole 13, the aquaculture rope 2 can be easily attached to and removed from the fixed part 1. Note that components such as fasteners may be used to fix the aquaculture rope 2 to the fixed part 1.

[0026] The seaweed to be cultivated takes root in the main body 21 located between two predetermined adjacent through-holes 22. The arrangement of the through-holes 22 may be changed as desired, and the arrangement of the poles 13 may be changed as desired to match the arrangement of the through-holes 22. The distance between adjacent through-holes 22 may be determined freely as long as it is longer than the distance between the poles 13 passed through these through-holes 22. The distance between the two through-holes 22 at the locations where the seaweed will take root is preferably approximately equal to the distance between the corresponding two poles 13 so that the main body 21 between the two through-holes 22 does not slacken. The distance between the two through-holes 22 at the locations where the seaweed will not take root may be approximately equal to the distance between the corresponding two poles 13, or may be the same as the distance between the two through-holes 22 at the locations where the seaweed will take root.

[0027] The end rope 23 is a rope-like member that is connected to an end of the main body 21. The end rope 23 is provided at least at one end of the main body 21, but may be provided at both ends of the main body 21. The end rope 23 is provided so that an operator can pull in the aquaculture rope 2. For example, an operator can collect the aquaculture rope 2 with cultivated seaweed attached by pulling in the end rope 23 from a boat.

[0028] The float 24 is attached to the end of the end rope 23. The float 24 rises to the surface of the sea and serves as a landmark for finding the end rope 23 from the sea. Note that the float 24 is not limited to the float 24 and any member may be used as long as it serves as a landmark for finding the end rope 23 from the sea. Also, the float 24 may not be necessary.

[0029] 6, a procedure for a seaweed cultivation method using the seaweed cultivation device 10 will be described. In an initial state, the fixing part 1 is installed on the seabed, and the cultivation rope 2 is on land or on a ship.

[0030] The worker performs a preparatory process for seaweed cultivation on the cultivation rope 2 (step S101). For example, the preparatory process is planting seaweed seeds or seedlings on the cultivation rope 2. Also, after the seaweed has been harvested, the roots of the harvested seaweed may be left on the cultivation rope 2. In this case, the worker checks whether the condition of the seaweed roots left on the cultivation rope 2 is suitable for cultivation. If the seaweed roots are not suitable for cultivation (for example, if new sprouts are not likely to sprout from the seaweed roots), the worker removes the seaweed roots from the cultivation rope 2 and plants new seaweed seeds or seedlings on the cultivation rope 2.

[0031] The worker attaches the prepared aquaculture rope 2 to the fixed part 1 in the sea (step S102). Specifically, the worker passes each threading part 22 of the aquaculture rope 2 through each pole 13 of the fixed part 1, and sinks the aquaculture rope 2 down to the stopper 14 of the fixed part 1. The work of attaching the aquaculture rope 2 may be performed with the buoy 15 or flag 16 detached from the pole 13.

[0032] The worker manages the seaweed cultivation (step S103). For example, the worker monitors the growth state of the seaweed and takes care of the seaweed.

[0033] When the seaweed has grown to a state where it can be harvested, the worker removes the culture rope 2 with the seaweed attached from the fixed part 1 and recovers it (step S104). Specifically, the worker finds the end rope 23 of the culture rope 2 from the ship. The worker pulls the end rope 23 from the ship, thereby removing the culture rope 2 from the fixed part 1 and recovering it. In this way, the culture rope 2 with the seaweed attached is recovered. The recovery work of the culture rope 2 may be performed with the flag 16 removed from the pole 13. The recovery work of the culture rope 2 may be performed with the buoy 15 or flag 16 removed from the pole 13.

[0034] The worker harvests the cultivated seaweed from the collected cultivation rope 2 (step S105). Next, the worker performs preparatory processing for cultivating the next seaweed on the cultivation rope 2 from which the seaweed has been harvested (step S101). By repeating the above-mentioned procedure, seaweed can be continuously harvested.

[0035] According to this embodiment, it is possible to easily cultivate seaweed even in deep waters by using the seaweed cultivation device 10. Specifically, the following advantageous effects can be obtained.

[0036] By increasing the height of the fixing part 1 from the seabed, seaweed can be cultivated at a depth where sunlight can reach the seaweed sufficiently. Therefore, even in areas with deep seabeds, seaweed can be cultivated at the minimum depth.

[0037] By making the aquaculture rope 2 removable from the fixed part 1, preparations for aquaculture, such as planting seaweed seeds or seedlings, and harvesting seaweed can be carried out on land or on a ship.

[0038] By constructing the part of the aquaculture rope 2 where the seaweed is to be rooted out of a single rope, workers can easily remove the aquaculture rope 2 from the fixed part 1 and retrieve it.

[0039] By mainly constructing the support part 11 and horizontal part 12 of the fixed part 1 using flexible rope, it is possible to provide a structure that is highly resistant to ocean currents and the like.

[0040] It is to be understood that additional advantages and modifications may readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An underwater plant cultivation device comprising: a removable cultivation rope that is made up of a rope for rooting plants cultivated underwater; a horizontal section for keeping the cultivation rope horizontal underwater; a support section for supporting the horizontal section so that it is fixed to the bottom of the water; a plurality of vertical members that are attached to the horizontal section and extend vertically toward the water surface; a plurality of stoppers that are attached to the plurality of vertical members and that keep the cultivation rope at a predetermined water depth; and a plurality of buoys that are attached to the plurality of vertical members and generate buoyancy to maintain the cultivation rope at the predetermined water depth.

2. The underwater plant cultivation device according to claim 1, characterized in that the aquaculture rope has threading portions for passing through the plurality of vertical members in order to attach it to the plurality of vertical members.

3. The underwater plant cultivation equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the horizontal part and the support part are made of rope.

4. The underwater plant cultivation equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the cultivation rope has an end rope at its end for pulling the cultivation rope.

5. The underwater plant cultivation equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that the end rope is provided with a mark for identifying it from the water.

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