AU2011200222B1

AU2011200222B1 - Artificial Reef

Info

Publication number: AU2011200222B1
Application number: AU2011200222A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ryan Paik; Sang Hyun Paik
Original assignee: HAEJOO Pty Ltd
Current assignee: HAEJOO Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-01-20
Filing date: 2011-01-20
Publication date: 2012-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 2031-01-20

Abstract

An artificial reef for protecting and developing marine resources, which may be installed on the bottom of an ocean in the coastal areas of the sea, has a lampshade-shape main body, a plurality of posts integrally formed therewith, and a plurality of flow windows adapted to allow fish and seawater to naturally and smoothly pass through. The artificial reef is capable of providing not only advantages associated with a conventional hemispherical artificial reef, but also an excellent structural strength greater than that of the conventional hemispherical artificial reef, and capable of providing narrow corner spaces for creating a marine habitat where various marine algae or the young of shellfish can adhere to the artificial reef and grow therein. Since the lower end of the main body is spaced from the sea floor due to the structure of the posts, it allows smooth flow of the seawater and the marine algae through a bottom portion of the artificial reef, for good growing conditions suitable for various aquatic plants.

Description

Australian Patents Act 1990 - Regulation 3.2A Original Complete Specification, Standard Patent Invention Title: Artificial Reef The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to the applicant: Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to an artificial reef for a seaweed forest, and more particularly to a building element for an artificial reef which has a lampshade-shaped 5 main body, a plurality of posts integrally formed therewith, and a plurality of flow windows adapted to allow fish and seawater to naturally and smoothly pass through, which is capable of providing not only advantages associated with a conventional hemispherical artificial reef, but also provides excellent structural strength greater than that of the conventional hemispherical artificial reef, and which is capable of providing narrow corner 10 space required for providing a marine habitat where various marine algae or the young of shellfishes can adhere to the artificial reef and grow therein. The term 'artificial reef' as used herein is intended to refer to both a building module for an artificial reef, and an artificial reef comprising one or more of such modules, as the context permits. 15 Background Art Generally, an artificial reef is an artificial marine structure, which may be installed on the bottom of an ocean in the coastal areas of the sea so as to protect and develop marine resources. Various forms of artificial reefs are known, such as a quadrangular 20 shaped artificial reef and a hemispherical-shaped artificial reef which consist of concrete structures, an artificial steel reef which consists of a series of steel frames, and an artificial reef made up of waste car bodies or waste ship's body, etc. In the coastal areas of Australia for example, the depth of water is shallow and the tidal current is slow. Also, the bottom of the sea consists mainly of sand-beds. The 25 hemispherical-shaped artificial reef is best adapted to this environment. In the hemispherical-shaped artificial reef, the tidal current flows smoothly and pleasant protection or 'shade' may be given in inner space(s) thereof.

2 In recent years, a 'reef ball' has been proposed. The basic steps in the manufacturing process of this reef ball include the following; fitting a plurality of air balls into a mould designed to manufacture a hemispherical-shaped artificial reef, pouring concrete into the mould and thereafter curing it therein, and removing the plurality of air 5 balls from the mould. By completing these manufacturing processes, a reef ball is produced with pluralities of circular holes formed in a hemispherical-shaped body. In the case where this type of reef ball is installed in the coastal areas, this reef ball is crowded with various fish, particularly bait fish such as yellowtail scads and pilchards, juvenile fish, which respond to a stimulus by using artificial bait, including a snapper that 10 is demersal fish, travallies, and reef fish, etc. However, in the conventional reef ball as described above, because of the hemispherical structure and the circular holes irregularly placed in the body of the artificial reef, it is hard to use a reinforcement bar for reinforcing the strength characteristics of concrete during the manufacture of the mould. This leads to detrimental effect on structural 15 strength of the artificial reef. Since the artificial reef becomes weak as described above, it often causes undesired effects such as frequent damage in certain areas of such artificial reefs during the transportation or the installation of the artificial reefs, thereby resulting in particular problems regard to moving and handling of the artificial reefs. Since it is consequently 20 difficult to move a plurality of artificial reef elements piled on top of one another, distribution costs and labor costs for the transportation and the installation thereof are significantly increased. In the design of an artificial reef, the height thereof is subject to restriction due to weakness of the structural strength thereof. As a result, pelagic fish such as mahi, wahoo, 25 mackerel and longtail tunas, school and spotted mackerel, yellowtail kingfish and Samson fish, may not gather in crowds in the artificial reefs. Particularly, since the artificial reef is formed as the hemispherical-shaped structure and a plurality of holes are formed therein in a circular shape, it cannot provide narrow corner spaces where germinated spores of various marine algae or the young of 30 shellfishes adhere to the artificial reefs and grow therein. Because of this, there has been a loss of marine habitat that normally supports large numbers of marine algae and the young of shellfishes, thereby resulting in a decrease in the number of useful fishery resources preying on living organisms, found principally in shallow marine waters.

3 Meanwhile, since the lower end of the body of the artificial reef element comes into close contact with the sea floor, seawater and aquatic plants can't flow and move smoothly through a bottom portion of the artificial reef. This leads to bad growing conditions unsuitable for various aquatic plants including demersal fish, which mainly live 5 at an inner bottom portion of the artificial reef. Summary of the Invention It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved artificial reef which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the above disadvantages. 10 In particular, a first preferred object of the present invention is to provide an artificial reef which has not only advantages associated with the conventional hemispherical artificial reef, but also excellent structural strength greater than that of the conventional hemispherical artificial reef. A second preferred object of the present invention is to provide an artificial reef 15 capable of minimizing damage incurred during the transportation and the installation thereof by enabling a plurality of artificial reefs (e.g. five to seven artificial reefs) to be stacked, thereby resulting in a considerable reduction in distribution costs and labor costs for the transportation and the installation thereof. A third preferred object of the present invention is to provide an artificial reef 20 capable of providing narrow corner spaces where germinated spores of various marine algae or the young of shellfishes can adhere to the artificial reefs and grow therein, along the surface of the artificial reef. A fourth preferred object of the present invention is to provide an artificial reef capable of providing further excellent growing conditions in internal space thereof by 25 extending individual posts beyond the lower end of the reef's body at a predetermined length so as to create space between the lower end of the artificial reef and the sea floor, to allow the tidal current to flow and aquatic plants to move. A fifth preferred object of the present invention is to provide an artificial reef capable of allowing various marine algae or the young of shellfish to effectively adhere 30 thereto and to effectively grow, by forming flange-shaped protrusions at an upper circumferential portion and a lower circumferential portion of the main body, respectively, and by forming a plurality of rope holes for binding a rope having germinated spores transported therein through the posts, respectively.

4 In one broad form, the present invention provides an artificial reef suitable for installation on a sea bed in a coastal area of the sea, characterised in that the reef comprises: a lampshade-shaped main body having an open upper end; and 5 a plurality of posts which are integrally formed with the main body and extend downwardly along a radially outer surface of the main body for a predetermined length and project beyond a lower end of the main body and protrude outwardly from the outer surface of the main body; wherein a plurality of side walls are defined by the main body and the posts, each 10 having a generally trapezoidal rounded surface; and wherein at least one flow window is formed through each of the side walls to provide a passage through which various fishes can pass and seawater can flow. Preferably, each flow window has a trapezoidal or quadrangle shape. Each side wall may have one to three windows therein. 15 Advantageously, the artificial reef further comprises upper and lower flange shaped protrusions integrally formed with an upper circumferential portion and a lower circumferential portion of the main body, respectively, and also integrally connected with the posts. The posts may have a plurality of rope holes therein for binding a rope having 20 germinated spores transported therein. Typically, the main body and the posts are formed principally of concrete or other cemetitious material. However, the main body and the posts may be formed of other material, such as metal. 25 In another broad form, the present invention provides a module for an artificial reef, comprising: a frusto-conical shaped main body; and a plurality of posts which are integrally formed with the main body and extend downwardly along an outer surface of the main body and project below a lower end of the 30 main body and protrude radially outwardly from the outer surface of the main body; wherein a plurality of side walls are defined by the main body and the posts, each having a generally trapezoidal curved surface; and wherein at least one flow window is formed through each of the side walls to provide a passage through which fish can pass and 5 seawater can flow. A plurality of such modules can be arranged in a predetermined pattern on a sea bed to form a composite artificial reef. As described above, the artificial reef according to the present invention can 5 effectively provide a hiding place for various fish or shellfish with the aid of proper protective 'shadow' created within the body of the artificial reef. Furthermore, in the artificial reef according to the present invention, it is possible to allow fish to naturally and smoothly pass through and to allow seawater to naturally and smoothly flow through the flow windows. In addition, it is possible to highly enhance the strength characteristics of 10 artificial reef by installing a reinforcement bar in the post and the flange-shaped protrusions. Due to this structure, it is possible to minimize damage of the artificial reef, which may be occurred during the transportation or the installation thereof. That also allows convenient transportation and handling of the artificial reef. Since five to seven modules of 15 artificial reefs can be stacked, it is possible to accomplish a considerable reduction in distribution costs and labor costs for the transportation and the installation of the artificial reef. Furthermore, compared with the conventional hemispherical-shaped artificial reef, there is no limit on a size of the artificial reef according to the present invention. 20 Accordingly, the artificial reef is applicable for almost all type of fish including demersal fish, bait fish and pelagic fish etc., which live in the coastal areas of Australia. Also, this artificial reef may be applied for deep sea. By virtue of the structure of the artificial reef comprising the posts, the flow windows and the flange-shaped protrusions, it is possible to sufficiently produce narrow 25 corner spaces where germinated spores of various marine algae or the young of shellfish can adhere to the artificial reefs and to grow therein. By forming a plurality of rope holes in the posts for binding a rope having germinated spores transported therein, various marine algae or the young of shellfish can further effectively adhere thereto and further effectively grow. 30 Since the lower end of the main body is spaced from the sea floor due to the structure of the posts, it is possible to accommodate settlement of the artificial reef to prevent the functionality of the artificial reef from deteriorating. This also makes it possible for smooth flow and movement of the seawater and the marine algae through a bottom portion of the 6 artificial reef. Consequently, this leads to good growing conditions suitable for various aquatic plants including demersal fish, which mainly live at an inner bottom portion of the artificial reef. 5 Brief Description of the Drawings The above objects and other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an artificial reef according to a preferred first 10 embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of the artificial reef as illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an artificial reef according to a preferred second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of the artificial reef as illustrated in FIG. 3; 15 FIG. 5 schematically show various profiles of a flow window available for the artificial reef according to the present invention; and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of two artificial reefs according to the present invention, for showing a state that one artificial reef is laid over another artificial reef. 20 Detailed Description of the Invention Hereinafter, the constitution of artificial reefs for providing a seaweed forest according to preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings FIGS. I to 6. For the sake of clarity and understanding of the description, identical components 25 which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the different views which are illustrated in each of the attached drawing Figures. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an artificial reef 10 (or building element for a reef) according to a preferred first embodiment of the present invention comprises a main body (1) and a plurality of posts (2) which are integrally formed with the main body (1) and 30 extend downwardly along an outer surface of the main body (1) and project beyond a lower end of the main body (1) at a predetermined length. The main body has a generally frusto-conical shape, hereafter referred to as a lampshade-shape body. An upper end of the main body 1 is open for allowing fish to naturally and smoothly 7 pass through upwardly and downwardly, and for allowing seawater to naturally and smoothly flow there through. Upper end surfaces of the main body 1 and the posts 2 are on the same plane. The posts 2 protrude outwardly from a radial outer surface of the main body 1 by a predetermined distance. 5 While three posts 2 are shown in the drawings, it should be appreciate by one of ordinary skill that any type of suitable design technique may be used for installing a plurality of supporting posts. For example, it is preferred to employ four posts at most in the artificial reef according to the present invention. It is not preferred to install five or more supporting posts 2, especially considering the functionality of the manufacturing cost 10 of the artificial reef. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of side walls 3 are defined by the main body I and the posts 2, and generally form a trapezoidal profile rounded surface. At least one flow window 4 is formed through the side walls 3, respectively, whereby at least one passage where various fishes and seawater can pass through and flow is provided. A reinforcement 1s bar for reinforcing the strength characteristics of the reef 10 may be usually embedded in the post 2 and the wall 3 adjacent to the post 2. Preferably, the flow windows 4 have a trapezoidal shape or a quadrangle shape, which is similar to that of the wall 3. Due to this shape, it is possible to provide four narrow corner portions, per one flow window 4. Since four narrow corner portions are additionally 20 provided on the surface of the artificial reef, and the posts 2 protrude outwardly from a radially outer surface of the main body, various marine selfish or the young of shellfish can adhere to the artificial reefs and to grow therein. While three, two and one flow windows are formed through the three walls 3 in sequence as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, it should be appreciated by one of ordinary skill 25 that any type of suitable design technique may be used for forming flow window through the wall 3 of the main body 1. FIG. 5 schematically shows various profiles of a flow window available for the artificial reef according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the number, the shape and the arrangement of the flow windows 4 can change. For example, it is possible 30 to form the same shape of flow window 4 in the wall 3 constituting the main body 1. Alternatively, it is possible to form different shapes of flow windows 4 in the wall 3. The number and the shape of the flow window 4 can optionally change in accordance with the condition of the tidal current and various environmental conditions such as fish stocks in 8 the coastal areas where the artificial reef may be installed. Meanwhile, a plurality of rope holes 5 for binding a rope having germinated spores transported therein are formed through the posts 2, respectively. In the case of where the rope having germinated spores transported therein is wound around the post 2 through the 5 rope hole 5, large number of marine algae and fish and shellfish eating on these marine algae can adhere thereto and grow on the surface of the artificial reef 10. FIGS. 3 and 4 show an artificial reef 10 according to a preferred second embodiment of the present invention. The constitution of the reef according to the preferred second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the reef 10 according to the preferred first embodiment of the present invention, except for the fact that flange-shaped protrusions 6,7 are integrally formed with an upper circumferential portion and a lower circumferential portion of the main body 1, respectively, and they are also integrally connected with the posts 2. The flange-shaped protrusions 6,7 provide narrow corner spaces together with the 15 posts 2 and the flow windows 4, which are adapted to allow various marine selfish or the young of shellfish to adhere to the artificial reefs and to grow therein. A reinforcement bar for reinforcing the strength characteristics of the reef 10 may be usually embedded in the flange-shaped protrusions 6,7 during the design of the mould for the artificial reef 10. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the artificial reef 10 has a tapered upper corner portion of the 20 upper flange-shaped protrusion 6 and a tapered upper end surface of the lower flange shaped protrusion 7. In the case where one artificial reef 10 is laid over, or stacked upon, another artificial reef 10, it is possible to prevent the reef 10 from being damaged by means of the flange-shaped protrusions 6,7 thereby resulting in ease of stacking and safe settlement of the artificial reef 10. 25 As described above, the artificial reef 10 according to the present invention can effectively provide hiding place for various shellfish or shellfish with the aid of proper pleasant shelter or shadow created within the main body I of the artificial reef 10. Furthermore, in the artificial reef 10 according to the present invention, it is possible to allow fish to naturally and smoothly pass through and to allow seawater to naturally and 30 smoothly flow through the flow windows 4. In addition, it is possible to highly enhance the strength characteristics of artificial reef by installing a reinforcement bar in the post and the flange-shaped protrusions 6,7. Due to this structure, it is possible to minimize damage of the artificial reef 10, 9 which may be occurred during the transportation or the installation thereof. That also makes it possible to achieve convenient transportation and handling of the artificial reef 10. Since five to seven numbers of artificial reefs 10 can be piled together in a manner that one reef is laid over another reef as shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to accomplish a considerable 5 reduction in distribution costs and labor costs for the transportation and the installation of the artificial reef 10. Furthermore, there is no limit on a size of the artificial reef 10 according to the present invention. For example, it is possible to produce not only a small-sized reef having a width of about Im~1.3m and a height of about lm, but also a middle-sized reef or a 10 large-sized reef having a width and a height of generally more than 2m. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the artificial reef 10 applicable for almost all type of fish including demersal fish, bait fish and pelagic fish etc., which live in coastal areas, such as the coastal areas of Australia. However, this artificial reef 10 may also be applied in deep sea locations. 15 By virtue of the structure of the artificial reef 10 comprising the posts 2, the flow windows 4 and the flange-shaped protrusions 6,7, it is possible to produce sufficiently narrow corner spaces where germinated spores of various marine algae or the young of shellfish adhere to the artificial reefs and grow therein. The artificial reef 10 permits various marine algae or the young of shellfish to further effectively adhere thereto and to 20 further effectively grow, by providing a plurality of rope holes for binding a rope having germinated spores transported therein, through the respective posts. Since the lower end of the main body I is spaced from the sea floor due to the structure of the posts 2, it can accommodate settlement of the artificial reef 10 and prevent the functionality of the artificial reef 10 from deteriorating. This also makes it possible for 25 smooth flow and moving of the seawater and the marine algae through a bottom portion of the artificial reef 10. Consequently, this leads to good growing conditions suitable for various aquatic plants including demersal fish, which mainly live at an inner bottom portion of the artificial reef 10. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details 30 of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the above description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and 10 should not be regarded as limiting. While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of 5 the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended 10 claims. The term "comprise" and variants of that term such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used herein to denote the inclusion of a stated integer or integers but not to exclude any other integer or any other integers, unless in the context or usage an exclusive interpretation of the term is required. 15 Reference to prior art disclosures in this specification is not an admission that the disclosures constitute common general knowledge in Australia.

Claims

1. An artificial reef suitable for installation on a sea bed in a coastal area of the sea, characterised in that the reef comprises: 5 a lampshade-shaped main body having an open upper end; and a plurality of posts which are integrally formed with the main body and extend downwardly along a radially outer surface of the main body for a predetermined length and project beyond a lower end of the main body and protrude outwardly from the outer surface of the main body; 10 wherein a plurality of side walls are defined by the main body and the posts, each having a generally trapezoidal rounded surface; and wherein at least one flow window is formed through each of the side walls to provide a passage through which various fishes can pass and seawater can flow. 15

2. An artificial reef as claimed in claim 1, wherein each flow window has a trapezoidal or quadrangle shape.

3. An artificial reef as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each side wall has one to three windows therein. 20

4. An artificial reef as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising upper and lower flange-shaped protrusions integrally formed with an upper circumferential portion and a lower circumferential portion of the main body, respectively, and also integrally connected with the posts. 25

5. An artificial reef as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the posts have a plurality of rope holes therein for binding a rope having germinated spores transported therein. 30

6. An artificial reef as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the main body and the posts are formed principally of concrete or other cemetitious material.

7. An artificial reef as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the main body 12 and the posts are formed principally of metal.

8. A module for an artificial reef, comprising: a frusto-conical shaped main body; and 5 a plurality of posts which are integrally formed with the main body and extend downwardly along an outer surface of the main body and project below a lower end of the main body and protrude radially outwardly from the outer surface of the main body; wherein a plurality of side walls are defined by the main body and the posts, each having a generally trapezoidal curved surface; and wherein at least one flow window is 10 formed through each of the side walls to provide a passage through which fish can pass and seawater can flow.

9. A module as claimed in claim 8, wherein the main body has an open upper end. 15

10. A module as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the main body and the posts are formed principally of concrete or other cemetitious material.

11. A composite artificial reef comprising a plurality of modules as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10 arranged in a predetermined pattern on a sea bed. 20

12. An artificial reef suitable for installation on a sea bed, the artificial reef being substantially as described herein with reference to Figs 1 and 2, or Figs 3 and 4, or Figs I to 4 as modified by Fig. 5, of the accompanying drawings.