Aquaculture apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus (2) for growing aquatic organisms in a body of water, and a harvesting apparatus for harvesting aquatic organisms therefrom is provided. The apparatus comprises an elongate floating member (4) arranged to float on a surface of the body of water; a headline (6) connected to the floating member and arranged to extend parallel to the floating member below the surface of the body of water; a plurality of fastening devices (8), each comprising a connection point for connecting to the headline and a rigid crossbar coupled to the connection point, such that the crossbar extends perpendicular to the headline when the connection point is connected to the headline; and an elongate collector (10) on which aquatic organisms can grow, arranged to be suspended from the rigid crossbars of the fastening devices and held flat across substantially an entire width of the elongate collector.

Description

[0001] 409.173070 / 01

[0002] Aquaculture apparatus

[0003] The present application relates to an apparatuses for growing and harvesting aquatic organisms, i.e. an aquaculture apparatus and an aquaculture harvesting apparatus.

[0004] The farming of marine organisms such as seaweed and marine filter-feeders (e.g. mussels and tunicates) typically involves suspending ropes from buoys in a large body of water (e.g. the sea). The organisms attach themselves to the ropes and grow by feeding on nutrients in the surrounding water.

[0005] Once fully grown, the ropes are hauled in and the organisms are removed either manually or with a machine. However, this harvesting process can be relatively slow and labour intensive, even when automated techniques are used. An improved approach may be desired.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for growing aquatic organisms in a body of water, the apparatus comprising: an elongate floating member arranged to float on a surface of the body of water; a headline connected to the floating member and arranged to extend parallel to the floating member below the surface of the body of water; a plurality of fastening devices, each comprising a connection point for connecting to the headline and a rigid crossbar coupled to the connection point, such that the crossbar extends perpendicular to the headline when the connection point is connected to the headline; and an elongate collector on which aquatic organisms can grow, arranged to be suspended from the rigid crossbars of the fastening devices and held flat across substantially an entire width of the elongate collector .

[0007] Thus, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the apparatus of the present invention can enable higher yields and facilitate harvesting.

[0008] The elongate floating member provides a stable support for the apparatus (which is suspended from the floating member in use). The elongate floating member can facilitate harvesting because less manual handling may be required compared to individual floats. For instance, the elongate floating member may be continuously pulled through harvesting equipment during harvesting, avoiding the need for manual hauling of individual buoy floats. Coupling the collector to the headline using the rigid crossbars can also facilitate easier harvesting without adversely impacting yield. The collector may be easily disconnected and connected from the headline as needed for harvesting, with the rigid crossbar ensuring that the collector remains flat (i.e. open) as the organisms grow. The collector being flat across substantially its entire width (e.g. at least 50% of its width, at least 60% of the width, at least 70% of the width, at least 80% of the width, or at least 90% of the width) can enable greater growth and aid machine-harvesting.

[0009] In a set of embodiments, the collector comprises a sheet of fabric such as canvas. The sheet may feature one or more holes to allow for water to flow through, although this is not essential (e.g. for smaller net widths).

[0010] In a set of embodiments, the collector comprises a net (i.e. formed from a plurality of interconnected lines such as ropes or ribbons). The net may comprise at least two longitudinal lines and a plurality of lateral lines. In some embodiments the net comprises at least three longitudinal lines (e.g. two outer lines and one or more inner longitudinal lines). This may help to improve yields by increasing the amount of available growing surface per unit length of the collector.

[0011] In some embodiments, the lines of the net comprise ropes (e.g. with a round profile and a diameter of between 2 mm and 40 mm, e.g. 14 mm or 16 mm). In other embodiments, the lines comprise ribbons (e.g. with a flat profile and a width of between 2 mm and 100 mm, e.g. 50 mm or 60 mm).

[0012] In a set of embodiments, the rigid crossbars extend perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the collector (e.g. perpendicular to the longitudinal lines in embodiments where the collector is a net). In some embodiments, the rigid crossbars extend across substantially the entire width of the collector (e.g. at least 50% of the width, at least 60% of the width, at least 70% of the width, at least 80% of the width, or at least 90% of the width). The crossbars may be formed from metal such as aluminium. In a set of embodiments the rigid crossbar is a hollow aluminium tube.

[0013] In some embodiments, the collector may comprise one or more lateral stiffening assemblies arranged to hold the collector flat across substantially its entire width away from the rigid crossbars (e.g. at least 60% of the width, at least 70% of the width, at least 80% of the width or at least 90% of the width). The lateral stiffening assemblies may help to keep the collector flat away from where the collector is suspended from the rigid crossbars. The collector may comprise a plurality of lateral stiffening assemblies along the collector (e.g. spaced evenly along the collector such as every 5 m in-between the rigid crossbars). The lateral stiffening assemblies may be formed from polymer (e.g. high-density polyethylene or polyoxymethylene (POM)). In embodiments where the collector is a net, the lateral stiffening assemblies may comprise hollow pipes fitted over lateral connecting lines.

[0014] As mentioned above, the collector may comprise a net with at least three longitudinal lines, e.g. four, five or six longitudinal lines. The longitudinal lines may be spaced evenly across the width of the net. The lateral lines may extend perpendicular to the longitudinal lines. The lateral lines may be spaced evenly along the length of the net. The longitudinal and lateral lines may form a square or rectangular grid.

[0015] The fastening devices may be arranged to connect the rigid crossbars directly to the headline (e.g. with minimal vertical separation between the two), for instance when it is desirable for the collector to be located near to the surface of the water in use (e.g. for growing mussels). However, each fastening device may comprise at least two suspension members by which the rigid crossbar is coupled to the connection point. This means that the rigid crossbars hangs below the connection point (and the headline) in use. This may be useful when it is not desired for the collector to be located close to the surface of the water in use (e.g. for growing tunicates). The suspension members may comprise flexible lines or rigid braces.

[0016] As explained above, in use the collector is connected to the rigid crossbars and the fastening devices are connected to the headline. One or both of these connections may be disconnected when organisms are harvested from the collector (e.g. to allow the collector to pass through a collection machine). In a set of embodiments, each fastening device is connected to the headline by a quick release connector. Additionally or alternatively, the collector net is arranged to be connected to each rigid crossbar by quick release connectors. In a set of embodiments, the quick-release connectors have no moving parts. The quick-release connectors may be hook shaped. In a set of embodiments the quick-release connectors comprise or consist of polymer. For example, polymers that may be used include high-density polyethylene, polyoxymethylene (POM), PEEK-Polyetereterketon, Polyaryletherketone, Poketone, Polyacetal or Polyamide. The use of polymer may mitigate or eliminate corrosion.

[0017] In a set of embodiments the quick-release connectors comprise or consist of fibre-reinforced polymer, i.e. a polymer matrix that is reinforced with fibres. The reinforcing fibres may comprise glass fibres, carbon fibres and / or aramid fibres. The reinforcing fibres may be continuous fibres (e.g. longer than 50% of a length of the quick- release connector), or chopped fibres (e.g. less than 2 cm long).

[0018] It will be appreciated that the use of quick release connectors (to connect the collector to the crossbars and / or the fastening devices to the headline) is not essential. For instance in some embodiments the collector can be connected to the crossbars and / or the fastening devices can be connected to the headline with lengths of line (e.g. rope or ribbon) or similar arrangements.

[0019] The apparatus may comprise a plurality of connecting lines which connect the headline to the elongate floating member, i.e. suspending the headline below the floating member in use. Some or all of the connecting lines may run substantially vertically when the apparatus is in use. In a set of embodiments, the apparatus comprises one or more coupling lines which couple multiple connecting lines together and are located between the headline and the elongate floating member, e.g. holding the lines in place to mitigate tangling. The coupling line(s) may extend parallel to the headline and the elongate floating member.

[0020] In a set of embodiments, the headline is rotatably connected to the elongate floating member. This may ensure that the floating member can rotate (e.g. due to the effects of differential solar heating) without tangling the lines below. This may be achieved by using connecting lines which loop over the top of the floating member. However, additionally or alternatively, in a set of embodiments, the headline is connected to the floating member via at least one rotating swivel (e.g. fitted around the floating member). A rotating swivel may provide lower resistance to rotation. A rotating swivel may also facilitate axial fixing of the headline, i.e. to prevent the headline moving axially relative to the floating member. For instance, the apparatus may comprise one or more axial stops adjacent the rotating swivel. Connecting the headline to one rotating swivel with stops (e.g. via a connecting line) may be sufficient to hold the headline axially with respect to the elongate floating member, e.g. with other connecting lines being looped over the floating member.

[0021] The elongate floating member provides support to the rest of the apparatus, i.e. to prevent the apparatus from sinking. The elongate floating member may be arranged to provide sufficient buoyancy to support an expected yield of organisms on the collector (e.g. by appropriate selection of size and material of the elongate floating member). In a set of embodiments, the elongate floating member comprises a hollow pipe (e.g. a cylindrical pipe). The elongate floating member may be formed from a polymer such as polypropylene or High Density Polyethylene. The elongate floating member may have a maximum outer diameter of 75 mm or more, 100 mm or more, or 200 mm or more. The elongate floating member may have a maximum outer diameter of less than 1500 mm, less than 1000 mm, less than 500 mm or less than 300 mm. The elongate floating member may extend for 20 m or more, 50 m or more, 100 m or more or 200 m or more.

[0022] The headline provides the main link between the elongate floating member and the collector. The headline may be suitable for pulling the rest of the apparatus, e.g. for positioning the apparatus for growing and / or for processing the apparatus during harvesting. In a set of embodiments, the headline is a rope, i.e. a headrope. In a set of embodiments the headrope may have a diameter of at least 15 mm, at least 20 mm, at least 50 mm, or at least 75 mm (e.g. approximately 80 mm). In some embodiments the headrope may have a diameter of up to 100 mm or more. The headline may extend further than the elongate floating member. For instance the headline may be 10% or 20% longer than the elongate floating member.

[0023] In use, the collector is suspended from the rigid crossbars. In a set of embodiments the apparatus is configurable such that at least part of the collector between the rigid crossbars extends in a direction having a vertical component. In other words the collector may hang between pairs of the rigid crossbars to span a range of vertical depths in the body of water. The apparatus may be configurable such that the collector hangs in a series of coves between respective pairs of rigid crossbars (i.e. in an approximate ”V” shape with substantially planar sides, or alternatively in a curved “II” shape). The axial separation of the rigid crossbars e.g. the separation between the connection points of fastening devices along the headline) and the length of collector between each pair of rigid crossbars may be chosen to control the vertical extension of the collector. For instance, a long length of collector suspended between two closely-spaced rigid crossbars will span a large vertical range. The apparatus may be arranged to hang the collector in ten or more coves, 20 or more coves or 50 or more coves (e.g. 70 coves).

[0024] In a set of embodiments, the apparatus is configurable such that the collector extends over a vertical span below the surface of the body of water of at least 2 m, at least 5m, at least 10 m or at least 20 m. The collector extending vertically allows it to be (potentially significantly) longer than the overall axial length of the aquaculture apparatus. The range of vertical extension may be chosen based on a target species of organism. For instance, the collector may extend from 3-5 m below the surface of the body of water to 10-20 m below the surface of the body of water. This vertical span may be suited for growing tunicates. Alternatively, the collector may extend from approximately 0-1 m below the surface of the body of water (e.g. 0.3 m) to approximately 3-5 m below the surface of the body of water. This vertical span be suitable for growing mussels. Other spans may also be used, e.g. approximately 0 m to approximately 25 m or 30 m.

[0025] It is not essential for the collector to extend over a vertical span. For instance, in some embodiments the apparatus is configurable such that the collector extends horizontally between the rigid crossbars. The apparatus may be arranged to allow the collector to be moved between a horizonal configuration and a vertical span configuration. For instance, it may be possible for a user to adjust where the collector is suspended from the rigid crossbars and / or to adjust where the rigid crossbars are coupled to the headline to achieve different collector configurations. The horizontal configuration may be used for some species of organism and / or for some phases of growth.

[0026] In embodiments where the collector is a net, some or all of the longitudinal lines and / or the lateral lines of the collector net may be sinking ropes. In other words, some or all of the lines of the collector net may be denser than the body of water in which the apparatus is used. This may help to ensure that the net hangs below the rigid crossbars in a desired way (e.g. a desired vertical span) even when there is no organism load. Lines of the collector net that are not sinking ropes may, for instance, be formed from polypropylene, polyethylene or a mixture of the two.

[0027] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments the collector may comprise one or more weight assemblies, i.e. additional weights added at specific points on the collector. In embodiments where the collector is a net, the weight assemblies may be connected to the longitudinal and / or lateral lines. The collector may comprise one or more weight assemblies arranged to hang at lowest point(s) of the collector (e.g. at the lowest point of each cover between rigid crossbars). Each weight assembly may comprise a plurality of individual weights, e.g. to facilitate customisation for different implementations by attaching different numbers of weights. Where the collector is a net, the individual weights may be fitted over a line of the collector. The weights may comprise metal (e.g. steel or iron) enclosed in a polymer.

[0028] In a set of embodiments, the collector has an overall length (i.e. in the longitudinal direction) of at least 20 m, at least 50 m, at least 100 m, at least 200 m, at least 500 m, at least 1 km, at least 2 km or at least 3 km. In some embodiments the collector has an overall length of approximately 3.5 km (e.g. 70 coves each containing 50 m of collector). The collector may be divided into several separate shorter sections (e.g. five to ten sections). Dividing the up into several sections may make it easier to transport, handle, and process for harvesting. In a set of embodiments, the collector has a width (i.e. perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, e.g. between two outer longitudinal lines) of at least 10cm, at least 20 cm, at least 50 cm, at least 1m or at least 1.5 m. In some embodiments the collector has a width of approximately 2 m.

[0029] The apparatus disclosed herein may be used to grow many different types of aquatic organisms. Aquatic organisms for which the apparatus may be suitable include aquatic plants or algae (e.g. seaweed such as sea moss, dulse, bull kelp, ribbon kelp, and sugar kelp), or aquatic animals (e.g. mussels, tunicates).

[0030] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a harvesting apparatus for harvesting aquatic organisms from an elongate collector extending along a longitudinal direction, the apparatus comprising: a hauling arrangement for lifting the collector from a body of water and pulling the collector through the apparatus in the longitudinal direction; and a harvesting section comprising an organism removal arrangement arranged to detach aquatic organisms from the collector and direct them to a collection area, and an input wheel comprising a plurality of vanes arranged to guide the collector to the organism removal arrangement; wherein the input wheel is arranged to support the collector on ends of the plurality of vanes and the plurality of vanes are arranged to direct any aquatic organisms that fall off the collector whilst the collector is supported by the input wheel toward the collection area.

[0031] Thus, it will be recognised by those skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention, and in particular the use of an input wheel with vanes to provide support to the potentially heavy collector before it is processed by the organism removal arrangement, can enable more efficient harvesting of organisms. If there were no input wheel at all, modifications to strengthen the organism removal arrangement to cope with the increased load could adversely impact its ability to effectively and quickly detach the organisms. The use of an input wheel without vanes (e.g. a flat roller) would avoid this issue but could lead to organisms being squeezed off of the collector and lost before it reaches the organism removal arrangement. By providing a vaned input wheel these issues can be addressed to improve the effectiveness of the harvesting without losing yield.

[0032] It will be recognised that the harvesting apparatus may be particularly useful for harvesting aquatic organisms from long collectors (e.g. having an overall length in the longitudinal direction of over 500 m or over 1 km), because once one end of the collector is engaged by the hauling arrangement and guided into the organism removal arrangement, the rest of the collector can be pulled through and processed with limited manual intervention.

[0033] Moreover, embodiments of the present invention may be used to harvest aquatic animals from a collector without needing to move the collector far from a growing position (i.e. suspended below the surface of the body of water). The harvesting apparatus may be moved along the collector (e.g. by being attached to a boat that is traversing the body of water in which the collector is located), lifting only small sections of the collector at a time, harvesting the aquatic organisms and then returning the empty collector to the water. This may be more efficient than conventional approaches and require less manual labour. In a set of embodiments, the hauling arrangement is arranged to lift only a section of the collector from the body of water at any given time (e.g. less than 100 m, less than 50 m or less than 25 m).

[0034] As explained above, the use of a vaned input wheel to support the collector and guide it to the organism removal arrangement can improve the effectiveness of the harvesting without losing yield. The vanes are arranged to guide any aquatic organisms that fall off the collector as it is being supported to the collection area. A variety of input wheel and vane configurations may be used to achieve this function.

[0035] The input wheel rotates with the collector as the collector is supported and guided to the organism removal arrangement. The outer profile of the input wheel in the plane of rotation may be defined by a path that joins the ends of the vanes (i.e. the shape adopted by the collector as it passes over the wheel). The input wheel preferably has a generally cylindrical profile and is arranged to rotate about a central axis (i.e. the axis of the cylinder). This may help to load the wheel relatively evenly throughout a rotation. The input wheel may comprise an average diameter of at least 50 cm, at least 1 m or at least 2 m.

[0036] In a set of embodiments, the input wheel has a constant diameter across its width, i.e. a cylindrical profile. However, the applicant has recognised that it may be advantageous in some embodiments for the diameter of the input wheel to vary across its width. For instance, the input wheel may have a larger diameter in a middle of the wheel transitioning to a smaller diameter at an outer edge of the wheel (e.g. shaped like a crown pulley or a cigar). This may help to ensure that heavily loaded collectors are hauled evenly through the apparatus. For instance, absent mitigation, the weight of organisms in the middle of the collector may pull the sides of the collector inwards and complicate the organism removal process (e.g. like a rope ladder whose sides are drawn inwards when weight is put on the rungs). Using an appropriately-crowned input wheel profile can correct for some or all of this effect as the collector is guided to the organism removal arrangement.

[0037] The vanes may comprise flat planes. However, the inventors have recognised that curved vanes may be particularly effective at catching and redirecting fallen organisms. In a set of embodiments, at least one of the vanes of the input wheel has a leading face (i.e. a front face in the direction of rotation) which is curved in at least one plane, e.g. in the plane of rotation of the input wheel. In some embodiments, the leading face may be concave, to help to retain any aquatic organisms that fall off the collector.

[0038] The vanes may extend generally radially from a central hub (e.g. containing a central axis of rotation). Chambers may be defined by adjacent vanes in which organisms that drop from the collector are caught and retained, before being discharged into the collection area as the input wheel rotates.

[0039] Typically the collector is only one part of an aquaculture apparatus that can be used to grow aquatic organisms animals in a body of water. The harvesting apparatus may comprise one or more features for manipulating other components of the aquaculture apparatus during harvesting.

[0040] For instance, in a growing configuration the collector may be suspended from an elongate floating member that floats on the surface of a body of water. The elongate floating member provides support to the rest of the aquaculture apparatus, i.e. to prevent the apparatus from sinking. The elongate floating member may comprise a hollow pipe (e.g. a cylindrical pipe). The elongate floating member may be formed from a polymer such as polypropylene or High Density Polyethylene. The elongate floating member may have a maximum outer diameter of 75 mm or more, 100 mm or more, or 200 mm or more. The elongate floating member may have a maximum outer diameter of less than 1500 mm, less than 1000 mm, less than 500 mm or less than 300 mm. The elongate floating member may extend for 20 m or more, 50 m or more, 100 m or more or 200 m or more.

[0041] The elongate may span a range of vertical depths below the elongate floating member, i.e. so that a given length of the elongate floating member corresponds to a greater length of collector. For instance, the collector may extend from 0-1 m below the surface of the body of water to IQ- 20 m below the surface of the body of water. Whilst it may be possible to detach entirely the collector from the elongate floating member for harvesting, this may be less efficient than keeping the collector and elongate floating member partially or mostly attached as the collector is processed. Moreover, the elongate floating member can actually be used as a handling aid to help lift the collector from the water and guide it through the apparatus. Accordingly, in a set of embodiments, the hauling arrangement is arranged to lift an elongate floating member supporting the collector and guide the elongate floating member through the apparatus of the harvesting apparatus. As explained above, only a section of the collector may be lifted from the water at any given time, and this may correspond to lifting only a section of the elongate floating member at any given time. The hauling arrangement may be arranged to lift less than 50 m, less than 30 m or less than 20 m of the elongate floating member from the water at a given time.

[0042] The hauling arrangement may comprise a forward section arranged to engage with the elongate floating member in front of the harvesting section (i.e. to engage with a section of the elongate floating member that is supporting an unharvested section of the collector). In use the forward section may provide initial lifting force to the elongate floating member, e.g. to bring it to a height above the surface of the body of water that allows the collector to be guided into the harvesting section.

[0043] It may be desirable for only a small portion of the collector may be detached from the elongate floating member for harvesting at any given time, e.g. to avoid the harvesting arrangement needing to support and manipulate long and thus heavy sections of the collector. The forward section may be arranged to guide the elongate floating member to a position in front of the harvesting section that allows an operator to detach the collector from the elongate floating member. For instance, the forward section may guide the elongate floating member adjacent to a forward access point of a deck of a boat carrying the harvesting apparatus.

[0044] The hauling arrangement may comprise a rear section arranged to engage with the elongate floating member behind the harvesting section (i.e. to engage with a section of the elongate floating member that is supporting a harvested section of the collector). In use the rear section may ensure that a sufficient length of the elongate floating member is held out of the water to enable harvesting of the collector. After passing through the rear section, the elongate floating member may return to the surface of the body of water.

[0045] The rear section may be arranged to guide the elongate floating member to a position behind the harvesting section that allows an operator to re-attach the collector to the elongate floating member. For instance, the rear section may guide the elongate floating member adjacent to a rear access point on a deck of a boat carrying the harvesting apparatus.

[0046] The hauling arrangement of the harvesting apparatus (e.g. the forward and / or rear sections) may comprise one or more guide wheels arranged to guide the elongate floating member. The hauling arrangement of the harvesting apparatus (e.g. the forward and / or rear sections) may comprise one or more drive wheels arranged to pull the elongate floating member through the harvesting apparatus.

[0047] The forward and rear sections may be configured (e.g. spaced) to lift only a section of the elongate floating member from the water at a given time (e.g. the desired length as explained above).

[0048] The aquaculture apparatus may comprise a headline connected to the floating member and arranged to extend parallel to the floating member below the surface of the body of water. The headline may provide the main link between the elongate floating member and the collector (e.g. via a plurality of fastening devices). Accordingly, the hauling arrangement may be arranged to guide or drive the headline through the harvesting apparatus. The hauling arrangement (e.g. the forward and / or rear sections) may comprise one or more guide wheels arranged to guide the headline. The hauling arrangement (e.g. the forward and / or rear sections) may comprise one or more drive wheels arranged to pull the headline through the harvesting apparatus and optionally one or more press wheels arranged to increase press the headline into a drive wheel. The hauling arrangement (e.g. the forward and / or rear sections) may comprise one or more line haulers arranged to pull the headline through the harvesting apparatus. In a set of embodiments the headline is a rope (i.e. a headrope). The headrope may has a diameter of at least 15 mm, at least 20 mm, at least 50 mm, or at least 75 mm (e.g. approximately 80 mm). In some embodiments the headrope may have a diameter of up to 100 mm or more. The headline may extend further than the elongate floating member. For instance the headline may be 10% or 20% longer than the elongate floating member.

[0049] In a set of embodiments, the collector comprises a sheet of fabric such as canvas. The sheet may feature one or more holes to allow for water to flow through, although this is not essential (e.g. for smaller net widths).

[0050] In a set of embodiments, the collector comprises a net (i.e. formed from a plurality of interconnected lines such as ropes or ribbons). The net may comprise at least two longitudinal lines and a plurality of lateral lines. In some embodiments the net comprises at least three longitudinal lines (e.g. two outer lines and one or more inner longitudinal lines). The lateral connecting lines may extend perpendicular to the longitudinal ropes. The longitudinal and lateral lines may form a square or rectangular grid.

[0051] In some embodiments, the lines of the net comprise ropes (e.g. with a round profile and a diameter of between 2 mm and 40 mm, e.g. 14 mm or 16 mm). In other embodiments, the lines comprise ribbons (e.g. with a flat profile and a width of between 2 mm and 100 mm, e.g. 50 mm or 60 mm).

[0052] In a set of embodiments, the hauling arrangement is arranged to engage directly with the collector to pull the collector through the apparatus. The hauling arrangement may comprise one or more wheels arranged to engage with the collector and pull the collector through the apparatus (e.g. star wheels for engaging with lateral lines of a net and / or elastomer rollers for engaging frictionally with a collector having a flat profile). The one or more wheels are preferably positioned after the organism removal arrangement (e.g. to keep the collector taut as it passes through the organism removal arrangement). Two or more wheels may be arranged in pairs above and below the collector (e.g. to pinch the collector therebetween).

[0053] In some embodiments, the hauling arrangement comprises only a single wheel or pair of wheels that engages with the collector across its width, e.g. a wide elastomer roller or a pair of wide rollers that engage frictionally with the collector to pull it through the apparatus.

[0054] However, in a set of embodiments, the hauling arrangement comprises a plurality of wheels (or pairs of wheels) arranged to engage with the collector at different positions across the width of the collector. There may be a longitudinal offset between two or more of the wheels (i.e. the wheels may engage with the collector at different longitudinal positions). In a set of embodiments, the hauling arrangement comprises at least three, at least five or at least seven wheels (or pairs of wheels) that are arranged to engage with the collector at different positions across the width of the collector.

[0055] In a set of embodiments, the hauling arrangement comprises a plurality of outer wheels arranged to engage with a laterally outside section of the collector (e.g. an outer 10%, 20% or 30% of the collector). In some embodiments, the hauling arrangement further comprises at least one inner wheel (or pair of wheels) arranged to engage with the collector laterally inside of the outer wheels. In embodiments where the collector comprises a net, the hauling arrangement may be arranged to engage with the lateral lines to pull the collector through the apparatus, although this is not essential and in some embodiments the hauling arrangement may additionally or alternatively engage with the longitudinal lines. In a set of embodiments, the hauling arrangement comprises one or more star-shaped wheels with a plurality of points that are arranged to engage with lateral lines of the net to pull the collector. The star-shaped wheels may have three or more points, five or more points or seven or more points. The hauling arrangement may comprise one or more motors that drive the star-shaped wheels. The hauling arrangement may comprise two star-shaped wheels arranged to engage an either side of the collector across its width, i.e. to impart even pulling force on the collector.

[0056] Additionally or alternatively, the hauling arrangement may comprise one or more roller wheels arranged to engage frictionally with the collector. This may be particularly useful in embodiments where the collector comprises a sheet of fabric, where use of a star wheel may not be applicable. In such embodiments the roller wheel(s) of the hauling arrangement may be arranged to engage frictionally with the fabric to pull the collector through the apparatus (e.g. the fabric being gripped between a pair of roller wheels above and below the collector The roller wheel(s) may be formed from or coated in an elastomer. The roller wheel(s) may be cylindrical or tapered (e.g. conical or frustoconical).

[0057] In a set of embodiments, the organism removal arrangement comprises one or more brush wheels arranged to rotate (e.g. by one or more coupled motors) to detach aquatic organisms from the collector. Brush wheels may be particularly useful for detaching organisms such as mussels and tunicates.

[0058] In some embodiments, one brush wheel, e.g. acting on one side of the collector, may be sufficient to detach the aquatic organisms from the collector. However, preferably the organism removal arrangement comprises two brush wheels arranged to rotate to detach aquatic organisms from the collector. The two brush wheels may be arranged to engage with opposite sides of the collector, i.e. so that the collector is located between the brush wheels as the wheels rotate to detach the aquatic organisms. In such embodiments the input wheel may be arranged to guide the collector in between the two brush wheels.

[0059] In a set of embodiments, the speed of rotation of the brush wheel(s) can be adjusted. Additionally or alternatively the direction of rotation of the brush wheel(s) can be adjusted. For instance, the brush wheel(s) may be driven to rotate with the movement of the collector through the harvesting section or in an opposite direction to the movement of the collector through the harvesting section.

[0060] In embodiments featuring two brush wheels, the speed and / or direction of rotation of each brush wheel may be independently controllable. For instance, both brush wheels can be controlled to rotate with the collector as it moves through the harvesting section, to rotate in an opposite direction to the collector as it moves through the harvesting section, or to rotate in opposite directions.

[0061] In a set of embodiments, the organism removal arrangement comprises a scraping device arranged to detach aquatic organisms from the collector by scraping arrangement (e.g. comprising a wedge, knife or blade). A scraping device may be particularly useful for detaching organisms that can be firmly attached to the collector such barnacles. A scraping device may be suited to collectors with a flat profile (e.g. comprising ribbons or a sheet of fabric). The scarping device may comprise stainless steel.

[0062] The scraping device may comprise a static scraper, i.e. that remains stationary whilst the collector net moves through the organism removal. A static scraper may be arranged such that motion of the collector net past through the organism removal arrangement causes the static scraper to engage with organisms on the collector (and scrape these away). The scraping device may comprise a single static scraper located on only one side of the collector, but in some embodiments the scraping device comprises a pair of static scrapers arranged to engage with opposite sides of the collector, i.e., so that the collector is located between the static scrapers as the aquatic organisms are detached. In such embodiments the input wheel may be arranged to guide the collector in between the two static scrapers.

[0063] In a set of embodiments, the scraping device comprises one or more scraping wheels arranged to rotate (e.g. by one or more coupled motors) to detach aquatic organisms from the collector. The scraping device may comprise a single scraping wheels located on only one side of the collector, but in some embodiments the scraping device comprises a pair of scraping wheels arranged to engage with opposite sides of the collector, i.e., so that the collector is located between the scraping wheels as the aquatic organisms are detached. In such embodiments the input wheel may be arranged to guide the collector in between the two scraping wheels.

[0064] In some embodiments, the speed of rotation of the scraping wheel(s) can be adjusted. Additionally or alternatively the direction of rotation of the scraping wheel(s) can be adjusted. For instance, the scraping wheel(s) may be driven to rotate with the movement of the collector through the harvesting section or in an opposite direction to the movement of the collector through the harvesting section.

[0065] In embodiments featuring two scraping wheels, the speed and / or direction of rotation of each scraping wheel may be independently controllable. For instance, both scraping wheels can be controlled to rotate with the collector as it moves through the harvesting section, to rotate in an opposite direction to the collector as it moves through the harvesting section, or to rotate in opposite directions.

[0066] In some embodiments, the scraping device comprises a static scraper and a scraping wheel, e.g. arranged to engage with on the same or opposite sides of the collector.

[0067] A scraping device (static or rotating) removes organisms from the collector by a scraping surface imparting a scraping force to the organisms that pulls and thus detaches the organisms from the collector. For instance, a static scraper may comprise a stationary scraping surface that is arranged to come into contact with organisms on the collector as it passes through the organism removal arrangement.

[0068] A scraping wheel may comprise one or more scraping surfaces that rotate with the wheel and move along the collector as it passes through the organism removal arrangement.

[0069] The scraping device may comprise a scraping surface which extends at an oblique angle to a plane of the collector as it passes through the organism removal arrangement (i.e. the scraping surface may have a snowplough shape). This may enhance the scraping action by imparting a force on the organisms that is perpendicular to the plane of the collector. Additionally or alternatively, the scraping surface may extend at an oblique angle to the longitudinal direction. This may enhance the scraping action by imparting a lateral force on the organisms as they pass through the organism removal arrangement (i.e. in a direction parallel to the plane of the collector but perpendicular to its direction of movement). In a set of embodiments, the scraping surface is wedge shaped (i.e. the scraping surface may resemble a snowplough). The scraping surface may be planar. Alternatively, the scraping surface may be curved.

[0070] The scraping device may be arranged to simply detach organisms from the collector without imparting further direction to the detached organisms. Organisms detached in this way from a lower surface of the collector may then simply fall directly to a collection area located below the collector. Organisms on a top surface of the collector may made loose by a scraper may eventually fall to the collection area (e.g. over the side of the collector or through gaps in the collector). In some embodiments, however, the scraping device is arranged to direct detached organisms to one or both sides of the collector. For instance, a scraping surface of a static scraper arranged to engage with a top surface of the collector may be angled to encourage organisms to the side of the collector after they are detached.

[0071] As explained above, the collector is supported on vanes of the input wheel and guided into the organism removal arrangement (e.g. brush wheels) to detach aquatic organisms. In a set of embodiments, the collector has a width (i.e. perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, e.g. between two outer longitudinal lines) of at least 20 cm and potentially up to 2 m or more. Accordingly, the input wheel may comprise a width (i.e. in a direction normal to a plane of rotation of the input wheel) of at least 20 cm, least 20 cm, at least 50 cm, at least 1 m or at least 1.5 m. In some embodiments the input wheel has a width of approximately 2 m. Similarly, the organism removal arrangement may comprise a width (e.g. defined by the width of a brush wheel) of at least 20 cm, least 20 cm, at least 50 cm, at least 1 m or at least 1.5 m. In some embodiments the organism removal arrangement has a width of approximately 2 m.

[0072] In some embodiments, the collection area may be used to store the harvested organisms. The harvesting apparatus may comprise sufficient storage in the collection area to hold an expected volume of harvested organisms from the collector. However, in many cases it may be impracticable to store potentially large volumes of harvested organisms in the collection area and / or further processing of the organisms may be needed. Thus, in a set of embodiments the harvesting apparatus is arranged to move aquatic organisms away from the collection area, e.g. for storage and / or further processing. The harvesting apparatus may be arranged to move aquatic organisms from the collection area to another part of the harvesting apparatus or out of the harvesting apparatus entirely, e.g. to separate storage and / or processing facilities.

[0073] The movement of the harvested organisms away from the collection area may be achieved passively. For instance, the collection area may be provided by a surface that is sloped, to cause harvested organisms to move away from the collection area under gravity. However, in a set of embodiments the harvesting apparatus is arranged to actively move the organisms away from the collection area. For instance, the apparatus may comprise a conveyor belt arranged to convey aquatic organisms away from the collection area. The collection area may be provided by a section of the conveyor belt.

[0074] As mentioned above, the harvesting apparatus may be usefully implemented on a boat or other watercraft. The present invention extends to a watercraft comprising the harvesting apparatus disclosed herein. The watercraft may be arranged to harvest aquatic organisms from an elongate collector extending adjacent the watercraft. For instance, the harvesting apparatus may be mounted to the side of the watercraft, e.g. to enable the processing of an elongate collector as the watercraft traverses adjacent an aquaculture apparatus comprising the collector. The watercraft may comprise storage and / or processing facilities for harvested organisms.

[0075] According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of harvesting aquatic organisms from an elongate collector extending along a longitudinal direction, the method comprising: lifting the collector from a body of water and pulling the collector in the longitudinal direction; supporting the collector on ends of a plurality of vanes of an input wheel to guide the collector into an organism removal arrangement; and using the organism removal arrangement to detach aquatic organisms from the collector with the and direct them to a collection area; wherein the plurality of vanes guide any aquatic organisms that fall off the collector whilst the collector is supported by the input wheel toward the collection area.

[0076] In a set of embodiments the method comprises returning the collector to the body of water after the aquatic organisms have been detached. The method may comprise lifting only a portion of the collector from the water at a given time.

[0077] In some embodiments, the method comprises lifting an elongate floating member supporting the collector and guiding the elongate floating member through the apparatus of the harvesting apparatus.

[0078] In some embodiments, the method comprises disconnecting the collector from the elongate floating member before it is guided into the organism removal arrangement. In such embodiments the method may comprise re-connecting the collector to the elongate floating member after the organism removal arrangement has detached aquatic organisms from the collector.

[0079] The apparatus disclosed herein may be used to harvest many different types of aquatic organisms. Aquatic organisms for which the apparatus may be suitable include aquatic plants or algae (e.g. seaweed such as sea moss, dulse, bull kelp, ribbon kelp, and sugar kelp), or aquatic animals (e.g. mussels, barnacles, tunicates). The applicant considers the use of a scraping device to detach aquatic organisms from a collector to be independently inventive and so from a fourth aspect there is provided a harvesting apparatus for harvesting aquatic organisms from an elongate collector extending along a longitudinal direction, the apparatus comprising: a hauling arrangement for lifting the collector from a body of water and pulling the collector through the apparatus in the longitudinal direction; and a harvesting section comprising an organism removal arrangement arranged to detach aquatic organisms from the collector and direct them to a collection area; wherein the organism removal arrangement comprises a scraping device arranged to detach aquatic organisms from the collector by scraping.

[0080] Further, when viewed from a fifth aspect there is provided a method of harvesting aquatic organisms from an elongate collector extending along a longitudinal direction, the method comprising: lifting the collector from a body of water and pulling the collector in the longitudinal direction; an organism removal arrangement detaching aquatic organisms from the collector and directing them to a collection area, wherein the organism removal arrangement comprises a scraping device that scrapes aquatic organisms from the collector.

[0081] It has been recognised that a vaned input wheel may not be essential in embodiments utilising a scraping device, because such embodiments may be used to harvest organisms which tend to be more firmly attached to the collector. These organisms are less likely to become prematurely detached from the collector before it is processed by the organism removal arrangement.

[0082] It may nevertheless be beneficial to provide some support and guidance to the collector before it enters the organism removal arrangement, e.g. to avoid placing excessive stresses on the scraping device. In a set of embodiments, the harvesting section comprises an input component arranged to support the collector and guide the collector to the organism removal arrangement. Correspondingly the method according to the fifth aspect may comprise supporting the collector with an input component and guiding the collector into the organism removal arrangement with the input component.

[0083] The input component may comprise a static component, e.g. a sloped or curved surface. In some embodiments, the input component comprises an input wheel (i.e. arranged to rotate as the collector is supported thereon). The input wheel may comprise a plurality of vanes. The vanes may be arranged to direct any aquatic organisms that fall off the collector whilst the collector is supported by the input wheel toward the collection area.

[0084] The applicant has also recognised that it is sometimes desirable to re-configure harvesting apparatuses to perform different harvesting operations, e.g. to handle different collectors, organisms and / or organism removal arrangements.

[0085] Thus, when viewed from a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a harvesting apparatus for harvesting aquatic organisms from an elongate collector extending along a longitudinal direction, the apparatus comprising: a hauling arrangement for lifting the collector from a body of water and pulling the collector through the apparatus in the longitudinal direction; and a harvesting section comprising an organism removal arrangement arranged to detach aquatic organisms from the collector and direct them to a collection area; wherein the harvesting apparatus is configurable to adopt: a first configuration in which the harvesting section comprises an input wheel comprising a plurality of vanes arranged to guide the collector to the organism removal arrangement, wherein the input wheel is arranged to support the collector on ends of the plurality of vanes and the plurality of vanes are arranged to direct any aquatic organisms that fall off the collector whilst the collector is supported by the input wheel toward the collection area; and a second configuration in which the organism removal arrangement comprises a scraping device arranged to detach aquatic organisms from the collector by scraping.

[0086] Features of any aspect or embodiment described herein may, wherever appropriate, be applied to any other aspect or embodiment described herein. Where reference is made to different embodiments, it should be understood that these are not necessarily distinct but may overlap. In particular, features described above in relation to the apparatus of the second aspect may be applied where appropriate to the method of the third aspect, and features described above in relation to the second and third aspects may be applied where appropriate to the fourth, fifth and sixth aspects. The apparatus of the first aspect may be used by embodiments of the other aspects.

[0087] One or more non-limiting examples will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0088] Figures 1-3 are schematic diagrams of an aquaculture apparatus according to an example of the present invention;

[0089] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the collector net of the aquaculture apparatus; Figures 5 and 6 are schematic diagrams showing parts of the collector net in more detail;

[0090] Figures 7 is a schematic diagram of the fastening device of the aquaculture apparatus;

[0091] Figures 8 and 9 are a schematic diagrams illustrating attachment loops;

[0092] Figure 10 is a schematic view of an aquaculture apparatus for growing aquatic organisms;

[0093] Figure 11 is a schematic view of an aquaculture harvesting apparatus according to an example of the present invention;

[0094] Figures 12 and 13 are schematic views of the forward section of the aquaculture harvesting apparatus;

[0095] Figures 14 and 15 are schematic views of the rear section of the aquaculture harvesting apparatus;

[0096] Figures 16 and 17 are schematic views of the harvesting section of the aquaculture harvesting apparatus;

[0097] Figures 18 and 19 are schematic views of the aquaculture harvesting apparatus in use; and

[0098] Figures 20 and 21 are schematic partial views of another aquaculture harvesting apparatus according to an example of the present invention.

[0099] Figures 1, 2 and 3 show from different views an aquaculture apparatus 2 comprising a hollow polypropylene pipe 4, a headrope 6, a plurality of fastening devices 8 and a collector 10. In this example the collector 10 comprises a net. In other examples the collector may, for instance, comprise a single sheet of material such as canvas. Only a portion of the aquaculture apparatus 2, which may extend with the same or similar structure for hundreds of metres, is shown.

[0100] The pipe 4 is floating on the surface S of a body of water such as the sea and serves as an elongate floating member from which the rest of the apparatus 2 is suspended. The pipe 4 in this example is 250 mm in diameter. This size provides sufficient buoyancy to support the apparatus and an expected load of aquatic organisms grown on the collector net 10 whilst remaining manageable to handle during harvesting operations.

[0101] The headrope 6 is connected to the pipe 4 by a series of vertical connecting lines 12. Most of the lines 12 are simply looped over the pipe 4, but one of the lines 12 (and potentially more than one) is connected to the pipe 4 by a rotating swivel 14. The swivel 14 allows the headrope 6 to rotate freely around the pipe 4 but is held in the axial direction by stops 16. The headrope 6 is suspended below and parallel to the pipe 4. The swivel 14 and stops 16 ensure that the headrope does not move position axially relative to the pipe 4, whilst allowing the pipe

[0102] 4 to spin relative to the headrope 6 (e.g. due to solar heating on the top of the pipe 4). In this example the headrope 6 is 40 mm in diameter. In other examples no swivels are used, e.g. with the headrope 6 being fastened directly to the pipe 4 (e.g. at each end of the pipe 4).

[0103] The vertical connecting lines 12 are also connected together by a coupling rope 18, just underneath the pipe 4. The coupling rope 18 can help to prevent the vertical connecting lines 12 from becoming tangled.

[0104] The collector net 10 hangs below the headrope 6. The net 10 is connected to the headrope by a plurality of fastening devices 8. The net comprises a lattice of ropes to which aquatic organisms (e.g. animals such as mussels or tunicates, or plants such as seaweed) can attach and grow. In other examples, the net may be formed from other types of lines such as ribbons.

[0105] In this example, the net 10 extends in a series of “coves” that span a range of depths, in this example from 5 m below the surface S to 25 m below the surface S (Figure 1 is not shown to scale). This depth range may be optimal for growing tunicates. In other examples (e.g. when the apparatus is configured to grow other organisms such as mussels), the net may extend over other depth ranges (e.g. 0 m to 3 m, 1 m to 5 m, or 0 m to 25 m or 30 m). The apparatus 2 may also be configured such that the collector net 10 extends horizontally between the fastening devices 8.

[0106] The collector net 10 will now be described in more detail with reference in Figures 4, 5 and 6.

[0107] The collector net 10 is formed from seven longitudinal ropes 102 which are joined by a series of lateral connecting ropes 104. In this example the lateral connecting ropes 104 are perpendicular to the longitudinal ropes 102 and spaced so that the net comprises a square grid of ropes. The longitudinal ropes 102 extend for the length of the net 10, aligned with the headrope 6 and pipe 4 when the net 10 is suspended from the headrope 6. Figure 4 shows the net 10 laid out in a single plane, but as explained above and shown in Figures 1-3, in use the net 10 extends in multiple coves spanning a variety of depths from the headrope 6 and pipe 4.

[0108] In this example, the longitudinal ropes 102 are 16 mm in diameter, the lateral ropes 104 are 14 mm in diameter, and the lateral and longitudinal ropes 102, 104 are all spaced by 300 mm. The total width of the collector net is approximately 2 m. The longitudinal ropes 102 are sinking ropes (i.e. having a density greater than water). The lateral ropes 104 are formed from polypropylene. To keep the net 10 flat across its width, the net 10 comprises a series of lateral stiffening assemblies 106. To help to weigh the net 10 down at the lowest point of each cove, the net 10 also comprises a series of weight assemblies 108.

[0109] A lateral stiffening assembly 106 is shown in more detail in Figure 5. The lateral stiffening assembly 106 comprises a hollow pipe formed from high-density polyethylene that is fitted over a lateral connecting rope 104 and extends between the two outermost longitudinal ropes 102.

[0110] A weight assembly 108 is shown in more detail in Figure 6. The weight assembly 108 comprises a series of weights 110 attached to lateral connecting ropes 104 and hollow pipes 112 the extend over longitudinal ropes 102 between the weights. This arrangement holds the weight assembly 108 flat at the bottom of each cove (see Figure 1). The weights 110 comprise metal (e.g. steel or iron) enclosed in a polymer to protect against corrosion. Each weight 110 can be individually attached and removed from a rope, e.g. to tune the amount of mass added to the net 10 for different configurations.

[0111] Figure 7 shows a fastening device 8 in more detail. The fastening device 8 comprises a single upper connection point 202, a rigid crossbar 204, three lower connection points 206 coupled to the crossbar 204 and three suspension members 208 that connect the upper connection point 202 to the crossbar 204. It will be appreciated that in other examples the fastening devices do not feature suspension members and instead couple an upper connection point directly to the rigid crossbar.

[0112] As illustrated in Figures 1-3, the fastening devices 8 are used to connect the collector net 10 to the headrope 6. The upper connection point 202 of each fastening device 8 is connected to the headrope 6.

[0113] The collector net 10 is connected to the lower connection points 206 of each fastening device 8 via an attachment loop 210 shown in Figure 8. Each of the lower connection points 206 is a quick-release connector part. The attachment loop 210 comprises a loop of rope 212 and a corresponding quick-release connector part 214 with the same construction as the quickrelease connector parts which form the lower connection points 206.

[0114] Each of the quick-release connector parts 206, 214 is generally hook shaped, i.e. having a central aperture that is enclosed on all sides apart from one narrow opening. The opening is bounded by two tapered projections. A pair of quick-release connector parts (i.e. a lower connection point 206 and a quick-release connector part 214 of an attachment loop 210) can be connected by rotating one part to be perpendicular to the other, aligning the narrow projections and sliding the tapered projections of each part past each other to hook the parts together. The same process is reversed to disconnect the parts. The narrowness of the opening prevents accidental disconnection.

[0115] Each quick-release connector part 206, 214 is made from a single piece of polymer and has no moving parts. This can mitigate corrosion and improve reliability.

[0116] The attachment loops 210 pass around the ropes 102, 104 of the collector net as shown in Figure 9, and the quick-release connector parts 206, 214 can be coupled together as explained above to connect the collector net 10 to the crossbar 204.

[0117] The fastening devices 8 are configured such that, when the upper connection point 202 is connected to the headrope 6, the crossbar 204 extends perpendicular to the headrope 6. Because the lower connection points 206 are coupled to the crossbar 204, the collector net 10 is thus held flat across its width between the outermost longitudinal ropes 102 when it is suspended from the fastening devices 8.

[0118] Figure 10 shows an aquaculture apparatus 1002 comprising a hollow polypropylene pipe 1004, a headrope 1006, a plurality of fastening devices 1008 and an elongate collector 1010. In this example the collector 1010 comprises a net. In other examples the collector may, for instance, comprise a single sheet of material such as canvas. The pipe 1004 is floating on the surface S of a body of water such as the sea and serves as an elongate floating member from which the rest of the apparatus 1002 is suspended. The structure of the net 1010 can be seen in more detail in Figures 18 and 19, where it is shown during processing by the harvesting apparatus 1100 described below. The net 1010 comprises a lattice of longitudinal ropes 1011 and lateral ropes 1013 to which aquatic organisms (e.g. animals such as mussels, barnacles or tunicates, or plants or algae such as seaweed) can attach and grow. The net 1010 extends along a longitudinal direction L parallel to the direction of the longitudinal ropes 1011. In other examples, the net may be formed from other types of lines such as ribbons.

[0119] The headrope 1006 is connected to the pipe 1004 by a series of vertical connecting lines 1012. The collector net 1010 hangs below the headrope 1006. The net 1010 is connected to the headrope by a plurality of fastening devices 1008. The net 1010 extends in a series of “coves” that span a range of depths, so that a given length of the pipe 1004 supports a much longer length of the collector net 1010. The collector net 1010 may be provided in several length sections that can be disconnected.

[0120] Only a portion of the aquaculture apparatus 1002, which may extend with the same or similar structure for hundreds of metres, is shown. The collector net 1010 may have a width of approximately 2 m. The large size and scale of the collector net 1010 can make it difficult to harvest efficiently the aquatic organisms from the net once grown.

[0121] An aquaculture harvesting apparatus 1100 for harvesting aquatic organisms from the collector net is illustrated in Figures 11-19. This apparatus 1100 can facilitate the harvesting of large quantities of aquatic organisms from very long collector nets.

[0122] The aquaculture harvesting apparatus 1100 is installed on a boat 1200. The aquaculture harvesting apparatus 1100 comprises a forward section 1104, a harvesting section 1106, and a rear section 1108. As will be explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 12-19, the aquaculture harvesting apparatus 1100 harvests organisms from the net 1010 in a continuous process without needing to remove the entire aquaculture apparatus 1002 from the body of water. The boat 1200 moves along the length of the aquaculture apparatus 1002, lifting an adjacent section of the pipe 1004 from the water by the forward section 1104 and the rear section 1108. The net 1010 is disconnected from the pipe 1004 and headrope 1006 near the forward section 1104 and pulled continuously through the harvesting section 1106 to harvest organisms therefrom. The net 1010 is then reconnected to the pipe 1004 and headrope 1006 near the rear section and returned to the body of water. This process repeats continuously as the boat 1200 moves along the aquaculture apparatus 1002.

[0123] Figures 12 and 13 show the forward section 1104 of the apparatus 1100 in more detail. Figure 13 is a side view of the forward section 1104. The forward section 1104 comprises a set of four wheels 1110 that engage on either side of the pipe 1004. Each of the wheels 1110 is coupled to a motor 1112. The forward section 1104 also comprises a line hauler 1114 which engages with the headrope 1006 of the aquaculture apparatus 2. The wheels 1110, motors 1112, and the line hauler 1114 are used to lift the pipe 1004 out of the water, and pull the pipe 1004 and headrope 1006 (and the rest of the aquaculture apparatus 2 connected thereto) into the harvesting apparatus 1100. The forward section 1104 lifts the pipe 1004 and headrope 1006 to a position forward of the harvesting section 1106 that allows an operator standing on the deck of the boat 1200 to detach the collector net 1010 from the pipe 1004. Figures 14 and 15 show the rear section 1108 of the apparatus 1100 in more detail.

[0124] Figure 15 is a plan view of the rear section 1108. The rear section 1108 comprises two wheels 1120 with motors 1122 that engage with the pipe 1004 and a line hauler 1124 which engages with the headrope 1006. The motors 1122 and line hauler 1124 are used to guide and pull the pipe 1004 and headrope 1006 (and the rest of the aquaculture apparatus 1002 connected thereto) out of the harvesting apparatus 1100. The rear section 1108 guides the pipe 1004 and headrope 1006 to rear of the harvesting section 1106 that allows an operator standing on the deck of the boat 1200 to reattach the collector net 1010 to the pipe 1004.

[0125] Thus the forward and rear sections 1104 together lift a section of the aquaculture apparatus 1002 adjacent the boat out of the water and guide it though positions that allows human operators to detach the collector net 1010 so that it can be processed by the harvesting section 1106 and then reattach the collector net 1010 before returning the aquaculture apparatus 1002 to the water. Only a relatively small section of the aquaculture apparatus 1002 is lifted out of the water at a time.

[0126] Figures 16 and 17 show the harvesting section 1106 of the apparatus 1100 in more detail. Figure 16 is a plan view of the harvesting section 1106 and Figure 17 is a cross section view of the harvesting section 1106 along the plane indicated by the dashed line F17 in Figures 11 and 18.

[0127] The harvesting section 1106 is the part of the apparatus 1100 that physically removes the aquatic organisms from ropes of the collector net 1010. The harvesting section 1106 comprises an input wheel 1130, upper and lower brush wheels 1132, 1134, a conveyor belt 1136 running below the brush wheels 1132, 1134, a net hauling arrangement 1138 and a maintenance platform 1140 that can be used to access parts of the harvesting section 1106 for maintenance and repair. The input wheel 1130 comprises a series of curved vanes 1142.

[0128] The net hauling arrangement 1138 together with the forward and rear sections 1104, 1108 together form an overall hauling arrangement for pulling the collector through the apparatus in the longitudinal direction.

[0129] The operation of the aquaculture harvesting apparatus 1100 to harvest organisms (e.g. mussels, barnacles, tunicates, seaweed) from a collector net 1010 will now be described with additional reference to Figures 18 and 19. The boat 1200 carrying the aquaculture harvesting apparatus 1100 is positioned on the surface of the body of water containing an aquaculture apparatus 1002 that is ready for harvesting. A potentially large mass of aquatic organisms has grown on the ropes of the collector net 1010, indicated by a thick line in Figure 19.

[0130] The aquaculture harvesting apparatus 1100 harvests the organisms from the entire length of the collector net 1010 (e.g. hundreds of metres) by feeding the net 1010 through the harvesting section 1106 in a continuous process. Only a small section of the aquaculture apparatus 1002 is lifted out of the water for harvesting at any given time.

[0131] The harvesting operation may begin at the end of the aquaculture apparatus 1002 or part way along (e.g. at a break between sections of the collector net 1010). A short section of pipe 1004 and headrope 1006 are lifted out of the water and engaged with the wheels 1110 and star wheel 1114 of the forward section 1104 and the wheels 1120 and star wheel 1124 of the rear section 1108.

[0132] To engage the collector net 1010 with the harvesting section 1106, an operator standing on the boat 1200 disconnects an end of the collector net 1010 (or an end of a section of the net 1010) from the headrope 1006, e.g. by disconnecting the net from a few of the fastening devices 1008. The resulting untethered part of the collector net 1010 is then fed through the harvesting section 1106, before being reattached afterwards and returned to the water. As the harvesting progresses, subsequent parts of the collector net 1010 are continuously disconnected from the headrope 1006, processed by the harvesting section 1106 and then reconnected to the headrope 1006 on the other side and returned to the water. The net 1010 is pulled through the harvesting section 1106 by the net hauling arrangement 1138, which comprises a motor and a star-shaped wheel on each side of the net 1010. Points of the star wheels engage with and pull on lateral ropes of the net 1010 to pull it through the harvesting section.

[0133] The first component of the harvesting apparatus 1100 that the net 1010 comes into contact with is the input wheel 1130. The net 1010 is supported on the curved vanes 1142 of the input wheel 1130 and guided into the space between the brush wheels 1132, 1134. The brush wheels 1132, 1134 form an organism removal arrangement that removes the aquatic organisms from the ropes of the net 1010. The brush wheels 1132, 1134 rotate to physically scrape the aquatic organisms from opposite sides of the ropes of the net 1010 and cause them to fall onto the conveyor belt 1136 below. The conveyor belt 1136 moves the organisms on to the boat for storage. Each of the brush wheels 1132, 1134 can be driven to rotate clockwise or anticlockwise, i.e. to rotate with the net 0110 or in an opposite direction to the net 1010 as it passes through the harvesting section 1106. The speed of the brush wheel rotation can be varied. The brush wheels 1132, 1134 are individually controlled. The brush wheels 1132, 1134 can be controlled to rotate in the same direction or to rotate in opposite directions. These options allow the amount of organism removal force provided by the brush wheels 1132, 1134 to be adjusted, e.g. depending on how heavily laden the net 1010 is with organisms and / or on what species of organism is being harvested.

[0134] The mass of organisms grown on the net 1010 can make the untethered part of the net 10 very heavy. The provision of the input wheel 1130 means that this mass does is not supported solely by the brush wheels 1132, 1134, which could reduce their effectiveness at removing organisms from the net 1010. Supporting and guiding the net 1010 with the curved vanes 1142 provides two synergetic benefits which mitigate harvest losses. First, the small surface area of the end of the vanes 1142 minimises contact with the net 1010 that might cause organisms to be squeezed off and lost before they arrive at the conveyor belt 1136. Second, the vanes catch any organisms or parts of organisms which are detached from the net 1010 and direct them towards the conveyor belt 1136, avoiding losses. The curved shaped of the vanes mean that the organisms are retained as the wheel rotates towards the belt 1136.

[0135] Figure 20 is a schematic plan view of part of another aquaculture harvesting apparatus 1300. Figure 21 is a schematic side view of the aquaculture harvesting apparatus 1300. The aquaculture harvesting apparatus 1300 comprises an input component 1302, upper and lower static scrapers 1304, a conveyor belt 1306 running below the static scrapers 1304, and upper and lower elastomer rollers 1308. The rollers 1308 form part of a hauling arrangement.

[0136] The aquaculture harvesting apparatus 1300 may be used to harvest organisms such as barnacles from a collector 1400 that comprises a flat sheet of fabric such as canvas. To collect the barnacles, the collector 1400 may be suspended from a floating member in a similar fashion to the collector 1002 described above. The aquaculture harvesting apparatus 1300 may accordingly also comprise elements (e.g. forward and rear sections) for handling said floating member and any associated equipment.

[0137] The aquaculture harvesting apparatus 1300 harvests the organisms from the entire length of the collector 1400 (e.g. hundreds of metres) by feeding the collector 1400 through the upper and lower scraping static scrapers 1304 in a continuous process. As with the apparatus described above, only a small section of the collector 1400 is lifted out of the water for harvesting at any given time.

[0138] The aquaculture harvesting apparatus 1300 does not feature a vaned input wheel. Instead, the harvesting apparatus 1300 comprises an input component 1302 with a static curved input surface 1303. The surface 1303 supports the collector 1400 and guides it in between the scrapers 1304. The scrapers 1304 form an organism removal arrangement that removes the aquatic organisms from the surface of the collector 1400 and causes them to fall onto the conveyor belt 1336 below which, e.g. moves the organisms into a boat for storage.

[0139] The collector 1400 is pulled through the organism removal arrangement in part by the rollers 1308. The collector 1400 is gripped by rollers 1308 above and below (i.e. the rollers 1308 are engaged frictionally with the collector 1400) and driven to rotate by one or more coupled motors (not shown) to pull the collector 1400 through the organism removal arrangement. The rollers 1308 work to keep the collector 1400 taut as it passes through the scrapers 1304. Three pairs of rollers 1308 are spread across the width of the collector 1400 to ensure even pulling force across the collector 1400.

[0140] While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Claims1. An apparatus for growing aquatic organisms in a body of water, the apparatus comprising: an elongate floating member arranged to float on a surface of the body of water; a headline connected to the floating member and arranged to extend parallel to the floating member below the surface of the body of water; a plurality of fastening devices, each comprising a connection point for connecting to the headline and a rigid crossbar coupled to the connection point, such that the crossbar extends perpendicular to the headline when the connection point is connected to the headline; and an elongate collector on which aquatic organisms can grow, arranged to be suspended from the rigid crossbars of the fastening devices and held flat across substantially an entire width of the elongate collector.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the rigid crossbars extend across substantially the entire width of the collector.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the collector comprises one or more lateral stiffening assemblies arranged to hold the collector flat across substantially its entire width.

4. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the collector comprises a net comprising at least three longitudinal lines and a plurality of lateral lines.

5. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein each fastening device comprises at least two suspension members by which the rigid crossbar is coupled to the connection point.

6. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein each fastening device is connected to the headline by a quick release connector and / or the collector is arranged to be connected to each rigid crossbar by quick release connectors.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the quick-release connectors comprise or consist of polymer or fibre-reinforced polymer.

8. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the collector has a width of at least 50 cm.

9. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the collector has a length of at least 20 m.

10. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the elongate floating member comprises a cylindrical pipe.

11. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the headline is connected to the elongate floating member via at least one rotating swivel.

12. The apparatus of any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of connecting lines which connect the headline to the elongate floating member.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, comprising one or more coupling lines which couple multiple connecting lines together and are located between the headline and the elongate floating member.

14. The apparatus of any preceding claim, configurable such that the collector hangs in a series of coves between respective pairs of rigid crossbars.

15. The apparatus of any preceding claim, configurable such that the collector extends over a vertical span below the surface of the body of water of at least 2 m.

16. The apparatus of any preceding claim, configurable such that the collector extends horizontally between the rigid crossbars.

17. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein some or all of the longitudinal lines and / or the lateral lines of the collector are sinking ropes.

18. The apparatus of claim 4 or 17, wherein the collector net comprises one or more weight assemblies connected to the longitudinal and / or lateral ropes.

19. A harvesting apparatus for harvesting aquatic organisms from an elongate collector extending along a longitudinal direction, the apparatus comprising: a hauling arrangement for lifting the collector from a body of water and pulling the collector through the apparatus in the longitudinal direction; and a harvesting section comprising an organism removal arrangement arranged to detach aquatic organisms from the collector and direct them to a collection area, and an input wheelcomprising a plurality of vanes arranged to guide the collector to the organism removal arrangement; wherein the input wheel is arranged to support the collector on ends of the plurality of vanes and the plurality of vanes are arranged to direct any aquatic organisms that fall off the collector whilst the collector is supported by the input wheel toward the collection area.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the input wheel has a generally cylindrical profile and is arranged to rotate about a central axis, and the plurality of vanes extend generally radially from a central hub containing the central axis.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 or 20, wherein at least one of the vanes of the input wheel has a leading face which is curved in at least one plane.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the leading face is concave.

23. The apparatus of any of claims 19-22, wherein the input wheel has a larger diameter in a middle of the wheel transitioning to a smaller diameter at an outer edge of the wheel.

24. The apparatus of any of claims 19-23, wherein the hauling arrangement comprises one or more star-shaped wheels with a plurality of points that are arranged to engage with lateral lines of a net of the collector to pull the collector.

25. The apparatus of any of claims 19-24, wherein the organism removal arrangement comprises one or more brush wheels arranged to rotate to detach aquatic organisms from the collector.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the organism removal arrangement comprises two brush wheels arranged to rotate to detach aquatic organisms from the collector, wherein the brush wheels are arranged to engage with opposite sides of the collector and the input wheel is arranged to guide the collector in between the two brush wheels.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the two brush wheels can be controlled to rotate with the collector as it moves through the harvesting section, or in an opposite direction to the collector as it moves through the harvesting section.

28. The apparatus of any of claims 19-27, wherein the organism removal arrangement comprises a scraping device arranged to detach aquatic organisms from the collector by scraping.

29. The apparatus of any of claims 19-28, wherein the hauling arrangement is arranged to lift an elongate floating member supporting the collector and guide said elongate floating member through the apparatus.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the hauling arrangement comprises a forward section arranged to engage with the elongate floating member in front of the harvesting section and a rear section arranged to engage with the elongate floating member behind the harvesting section.

31. The apparatus of any of claims 19-30, wherein the harvesting apparatus is arranged to move aquatic organisms away from the collection area.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 , comprising a conveyor belt arranged to convey aquatic organisms away from the harvesting section.

33. A watercraft comprising the harvesting apparatus of any of claims 19-32, arranged to harvest aquatic organisms from an elongate collector extending adjacent the watercraft.

34. A method of harvesting aquatic organisms from an elongate collector extending along a longitudinal direction, the method comprising: lifting the collector from a body of water and pulling the collector in the longitudinal direction; supporting the collector on ends of a plurality of vanes of an input wheel to guide the collector into an organism removal arrangement; and using the organism removal arrangement to detach aquatic organisms from the collector with the and direct them to a collection area; wherein the plurality of vanes guide any aquatic organisms that fall off the collector whilst the collector is supported by the input wheel toward the collection area.

35. A harvesting apparatus for harvesting aquatic organisms from an elongate collector extending along a longitudinal direction, the apparatus comprising: a hauling arrangement for lifting the collector from a body of water and pulling the collector through the apparatus in the longitudinal direction; anda harvesting section comprising an organism removal arrangement arranged to detach aquatic organisms from the collector and direct them to a collection area; wherein the organism removal arrangement comprises a scraping device arranged to detach aquatic organisms from the collector by scraping.

36. The harvesting apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein the harvesting section comprises an input component arranged to support the collector and guide the collector to the organism removal arrangement.

37. A harvesting apparatus for harvesting aquatic organisms from an elongate collector extending along a longitudinal direction, the apparatus comprising: a hauling arrangement for lifting the collector from a body of water and pulling the collector through the apparatus in the longitudinal direction; and a harvesting section comprising an organism removal arrangement arranged to detach aquatic organisms from the collector and direct them to a collection area; wherein the harvesting apparatus is configurable to adopt: a first configuration in which the harvesting section comprises an input wheel comprising a plurality of vanes arranged to guide the collector to the organism removal arrangement, wherein the input wheel is arranged to support the collector on ends of the plurality of vanes and the plurality of vanes are arranged to direct any aquatic organisms that fall off the collector whilst the collector is supported by the input wheel toward the collection area; and a second configuration in which the organism removal arrangement comprises a scraping device arranged to detach aquatic organisms from the collector by scraping.

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