AU2012201758A1

AU2012201758A1 - Artificial Reef for Seaweed

Info

Publication number: AU2012201758A1
Application number: AU2012201758A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ryan Paik; Sang-Hyun Paik
Original assignee: HAEJOO Pty Ltd
Current assignee: HAEJOO Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-05-27
Filing date: 2012-03-26
Publication date: 2012-12-13
Also published as: CN102792904A; KR101120922B1

Abstract

Disclosed is a concrete 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, which comprises a main body having a triangular prism shape, in which three wall surfaces of the main body are formed concave respectively toward the center of the triangular prism, so that the main body corresponds roughly to the center portion of the triangular prism; and three walls respectively protrude from the main body in the radial direction, wherein low ends of the two walls among the three walls are laid on an ocean floor and the rest one wall is placed in an upright position toward surface of the sea, and wherein a plurality of through openings having a triangular shape, a quadrangular shape or a pentagonal shape are formed through the walls, respectively. Due to this structure, the concrete artificial reef can properly create a plane structure for building up sea jungle and a vertical structure on which a variety of shellfish and ear shell can inhabit. In detail, an obscure space between the bottom of an ocean and the reef, and a bright space to be exposed to the outside may be properly provided at only one artificial reef. Furthermore, it is possible to sufficiently provide a small and narrow crevice therein in which young of shellfishes can behind so as to keep oneself from natural enemy. Consequently, it is capable of producing an effective reef for seaweed very soon in which the concrete artificial reef is installed. It makes it possible for smooth flow and moving of the seawater and the marine algae through a bottom portion of the artificial reef. This leads to good growing conditions suitable for various aquatic plants. [1/5] [Fig 1] 4 3a 4a 4a 22a 4 4a 4a 3a

Description

ARTIFICIAL REEF FOR SEAWEED FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to an artificial reef for the seaweed forest, and 5 more particularly to a scientific and economic structure of artificial reef which comprises a triangular prism-shaped main body, in which three wall surfaces of the main body are formed concave respectively toward the center of the triangular prism; and three walls respectively protruding from the main body in the radial direction, in which low ends of the two walls among the three walls may be laid on an ocean floor in seawater, and 10 wherein a plurality of through openings are formed through the walls and small and narrow crevices are provided in the main body, whereby it is possible to properly create a plane structure and a vertical structure at only one artificial reef so that an obscure space and a bright space may be provided therein, which is capable of producing an effective reef for seaweed in a short time after installing thereof, and which is capable of providing an 15 excellent marine habitat where various marine algae or the young of shellfishes can adhere thereto and grow therein. BACKGROUND ART Generally, an artificial reef is an artificial marine structure, which may be installed on 20 the bottom of an ocean in the coastal areas of the sea so as to protect and develop marine resources. The artificial reef can protect fishing ground from the trawler or the anchovy tow net and can provide a large number of various marine algae or shellfishes with a spawning ground and a hideout so as to grow fishery resources. The artificial reef as described above can be divided in two main types, that of an artificial reef to be immersed 25 in coastal waters and a floating artificial reef. The first type of artificial reef can be formed as a quadrilateral-shaped artificial reef or a hemispherical shaped artificial reef which is made of concrete material. Alternatively, the first type of artificial reef can be formed as a multi-layers framed structure having a height of about 10meters, which consists a series of steel frames. 30 However, the quadrilateral-shaped or the hemispherical shaped artificial reefs according to the prior art are unsatisfactory because they have a very simple structure insufficient to grow the young of fishes or the young of shellfishes in the sea. In these artificial reefs according to the prior art, it cannot obtain narrow corner space where germinated spores of 1 various marine algae or the young of shellfishes adhere to the artificial reefs and to grow therein. Because of this, there has been a loss of marine habitat that normally support large numbers of marine algae and the young of shellfishes and thereby resulting in decrease in the number of useful fishery resource preying on living organisms, found principally in 5 shallow marine waters. In the meantime, the artificial reef formed as a multi-layers framed structure is unsatisfactory because it is made of a steel frame having a smooth surface so that it is unsuitable rooting and growing of marine algae or shellfish, compared with the quadrilateral-shaped or the hemispherical shaped artificial reefs made of concrete material. 10 Although the artificial reef has a relatively complicated structure, it is hard to realize a substantive function as an artificial reef, thereby resulting in unscientific problems. Furthermore, the manufacturing cost of the conventional artificial reef is high, thereby resulting in uneconomic problems. This leads to bad growing conditions unsuitable for various aquatic plants or shellfishes. 15 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In consideration of the above-mentioned disadvantages or inconveniences of the conventional techniques, an object of the present invention is to provide a scientific and economic structure of artificial reef which comprises a triangular prism-shaped main body, 20 in which three wall surfaces of the main body are formed concave respectively toward the center of the triangular prism; and three walls respectively protruding from the main body in the radial direction, in which low ends of the two walls among the three walls may be laid on an ocean floor, and wherein a plurality of through openings are formed through the walls and small and narrow crevices are provided in the main body, whereby it is possible 25 to properly create a plane structure and a vertical structure at only one artificial reef so that an obscure space and a bright space may be provided therein, which is capable of producing an effective reef for seaweed in a short time after installing thereof, and which is capable of providing an excellent marine habitat where various marine algae or the young of shellfishes can adhere thereto and grow therein. 30 In the artificial reef according to the present invention, a protruding frame is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the main body between the walls and it extends in the longitudinal direction of the three curvature sided reef. A plurality of strands of wire rope, on which germinated spores of marine algae are impregnated and cultivated, are wound 2 around the protruding frame. A cutaway groove having a "<" shape is formed at a free end of the protruding frame and a triangular-shaped crevice is formed at front and rear side surfaces of the main body, respectively. As described above, the artificial reef according to the present invention can 5 properly create a plane structure for building up sea jungle and a vertical structure for cultivating ear shell at only one artificial reef so that an obscure space and a bright space may be provided therein. Also, the artificial reef according to the present invention can provide a crevice in which the young of shellfish can avoid natural enemies' eyes that want to eat them. By virtue of this scientific and economic structure of the artificial reef, it is 10 possible to build up an effective seaweed forest in a short time after installing the artificial reef on the ocean floor. It is capable of making various marine algae or the young of shellfish to further effectively adhere to the artificial reef and to further effectively grow, by forming the effective seaweed forest. Particularly, if the young of ear shell is artificially sprayed to waters in which an artificial reef according to the present invention, then it is 15 possible to accomplish a considerable increase in the survival rate of the young of ear shell at two and three times, compared with the conventional artificial reef representing the survival rate of 20%. Due to this, it is capable of making various marine algae or the young of shellfish to further effectively adhere thereto and to further effectively grow, by winding a plurality of strands of wipe rope about the protruding frame where various marine algae 20 or the young of shellfishes adhere thereto and to grow therein. Accordingly, the artificial reef is applicable for almost all type of shellfish including abalone shell such as Row's abalone (HALIOTIS ROEI),-which live in the region of shallow seas near a coastline having the depth of water below 5-6m, Green Lip abalone (HALIOTIS LAEVIGATA) or Brown Lip abalone (HALIOTIS CONICOPORA), 25 which live in deep sea having the depth of water about 40m in the coastal areas of West Australia or South Australia. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above object and other characteristics and advantages of the present invention 30 will become more apparent by describing in detail 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 embodiment of the present invention; 3 FIG. 2 shows an installation state of the artificial reef as illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a plan view of the artificial reef as illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a side view of the artificial reef as illustrated in FIG. 1; and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an artificial reef according to a preferred second 5 embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS(S) OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the constitution of artificial reef for providing seaweed forest according to preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained in more 10 detail with reference to the accompanying drawings FIGS. 1 to 5. Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the preferred embodiment according to the present invention, it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding of the invention identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the different views which are 15 illustrated in each of the attached drawing Figures. Referring to FIGS. I to 4, the artificial reef 1 according to the preferred first embodiment of the present invention comprises a main body 2 having a triangular prism shape, in which three wall surfaces of the main body 2 are formed concave respectively toward the center of the triangular prism, so that the main body 2 corresponds roughly to 20 the center portion of the triangular prism; and three walls 3 respectively protruding from the main body 2 in the radial direction at 120 degree angle centering around the main body 2. As best seen in FIG. 2, three walls 3 respectively protrude from the main body 2 in the radial direction. At this time, low ends of the two walls 3 among the three walls 3 are laid 25 on an ocean floor 5 and the rest one wall 3 is placed in an upright position toward surface of the sea. If the artificial reef 1 according to the preferred first embodiment of the present invention is installed on the ocean floor 5 as described above, then two surfaces will always tend to toward the surface of the sea under water and the remaining one surface will 30 always tend to gravitate towards the ocean floor 5. Since the surface area of the wall 3 contacting with the ocean floor 5 is substantially greater than total surface area of the artificial reef 1, phenomena such as soil erosion or the artificial reef I to be buried may not be easily occurred. 4 In particular, the concrete artificial reef can properly create a plane structure for building up sea jungle by allowing a variety of seaweed to be adhered thereto. This plane structure comprises two concave surfaces towards surface of the sea. Also, the concrete artificial reef can properly create a vertical structure on which a variety of shellfish and ear 5 shell can inhabit. This vertical structure comprises one concave surface which always tends to gravitate towards the ocean floor 5. Since the plane structure and the vertical structure are reasonably disposed at only one artificial reef 1, a variety of seaweed can easily take root thereon and can grow as a large number of objects. Also, a variety of shellfish and ear shell can grow as a large number of objects. 10 Additionally, as shown in FIG. 2, a relatively dark space 6 may be provided between the ocean floor 5 and the artificial reef 1. A relatively light space may be provided on the surface of the artificial reef 1 toward surface of the sea. Due to this structure, some aquatic plants preferring a dark place and other aquatic plants preferring a light place can gather in crowds around the artificial reef I in various ways. Consequently, it is possible to provide 15 an excellent aquatic ecosystem with the aid of three curvature sided reef for seaweed according to the present invention. One element among the important elements in three curvature sided reef for seaweed according to the present invention is the constitution that a plurality of through openings 3a are formed through the walls 3, respectively. These openings 3a are adapted act as a 20 circulation passageway of the sea water and can function to protect young of shellfishes or ear shell from predator such as sea urchin, starfish, octopus or crab, etc. For this purpose, it is preferred that the through openings 3a have a triangular-shaped opening, a quadrangular-shaped opening or a pentagonal-shaped opening so as to provide a crevice in which young of shellfishes or ear shell can behind so as to keep oneself from 25 natural enemy. In the drawings, a pentagonal-shaped opening is shown as a typical example and it is constituted of a quadrangular-shaped opening and a triangular-shaped opening positioned next thereto at a lower surface of the pentagonal-shaped opening. A triangular-shaped crevice 2a is provided on front and rear surfaces of the artificial reef 2, respectively. 30 If early young ear shells are artificially sprayed to certain waters under the state that the artificial reef I according to the present invention is installed on an ocean floor, the survival rate of the early young ear shells has greatly increased about two or three times, compared with the conventional artificial reef representing the survival rate of 20%. 5 Accordingly, it is expected to create a higher value-added business such as the abalone aquaculture industry by using the three curvature sided reef for seaweed according to the present invention. Another element among the important elements in three curvature sided reef for 5 seaweed according to the present invention is the constitution that a protruding frame 4 is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the main body 2, which corresponds to the surface positioned between the walls 3. A cutaway groove 4a having a "<" shape is formed at a free end of the protruding frame 4 and it extends in the longitudinal direction of the protruding frame 4. 10 Under the circumstances described above, it should be appreciate by one of ordinary skill that any type of suitable design technique may be used for forming the protruding frame 4. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, although the protruding frame 4 is divided into two spaced parts along the longitudinal direction of the artificial reef 1, it may be appreciated that the protruding frame 4 can be formed as a one piece along the longitudinal direction of 15 the artificial reef 1. Alternatively, it may be appreciated that the protruding frame 4 can be formed as three or more pieces along the longitudinal direction of the artificial reef 1. A plurality of strands of wire rope, on which germinated spores of marine algae are impregnated and cultivated, may be wound around the protruding frame 4 in the artificial reef 1. Due to the existence of the protruding frame 4, the cutaway groove 4a and a crevice 20 required for hiding and growing of the young of shellfish or ear shell can be additionally provided on the surface of the artificial reef 1. While the protruding frame 4 is shown that it has a parabolic edge section in the drawings, it should be appreciate by one of ordinary skill that the protruding frame 4 can have various sections such as a quadrangular section, a triangular section or a 25 semispherical section. Preferably, a plurality of strands of wire rope, on which germinated spores of marine algae are impregnated and cultivated, are wound around the main body 2. Alternatively, the wipe rope can be wound around the protruding frame 4 as needed. If the protruding frame 4 for installing the wire rope is provided on the artificial reef 1, it is required to wind the wire rope around the artificial reef I instead of the natural rooting 30 of the marine algae through the surface of the artificial reef 1. Due to this, it is expected to create a higher value-added business such as the abalone aquaculture industry by using the three curvature sided reef for seaweed according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an artificial reef 1 according to a preferred second 6 embodiment of the present invention. While a plurality of through openings 3a are formed through the walls 3 in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, it should be appreciate by one of ordinary skill that a plurality of protruding frames 3a for installing the wire rope can be formed on both sides of the walls 3. The constitution of the artificial reef 5 according to the preferred second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the reef according to the preferred first embodiment of the present invention, except for the fact that a plurality of protruding frames 3a are integrally formed with both sides of the walls 3, respectively. The three curvature sided reef for seaweed according to the preferred second 10 embodiment of the present invention allow a large number of ropes to be wound around the main body 2 and the walls 3 so that it may be adapted to create an artificial sea jungle. It is preferred that the protruding frame 4 provided on the wall 3 has a dimension corresponding to half of that of the protruding frame 4 formed on the main body 2. Since the artificial reef 1 according to the present invention is made of concrete material, 15 the walls 3 having the through openings 3a, the protruding frames 4 having the cutaway groove 4a, and the crevice 2a formed at the main body 2 can be provided on the mould together at the time of manufacturing the mould. Accordingly, it is possible to manufacture the artificial reef 1 by once performing concrete forming and curing works without performing any additional work. 20 It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details 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 by modifying the structure of artificial reef. Also, it is to be understood 25 that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and 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 30 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 embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but 7 that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended 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 5 other integer or any other integers, unless in the context or usage an exclusive interpretation of the term is required. Reference to prior art disclosures in this specification is not an admission that the disclosures constitute common general knowledge in Australia. 10 Reference numerals in the drawings I :three curvature sided reef 2: main body 2a: crevice 15 3 : wall 3a: through opening 4 : protruding frame 4a: cutaway groove 5: ocean floor 20 6: space 8

Claims

1. An artificial three curvature sided reef, which may be installed on the bottom of an ocean in the coastal areas of the sea, characterized in that the reef 1 comprises a main body 2 having a triangular prism shape, in which three wall surfaces of the main body 2 are formed concave respectively toward the center of the triangular prism, so that the main body 2 corresponds roughly to the center portion of the triangular prism; and three walls 3 respectively protruding from the main body 2 in the radial direction at 120 degree angle centering around the main body 2, wherein low ends of the two walls 3 among the three walls 3 are laid on an ocean floor 5 and the rest one wall 3 is placed in an upright position toward surface of the sea, and wherein a plurality of through openings 3a are formed through the walls 3, respectively.

2. The artificial three curvature sided reef as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of through openings 3a comprise a triangular-shaped opening, a quadrangular-shaped opening or a pentagonal-shaped opening.

3. The artificial three curvature sided reef as claimed in claim 1, wherein a triangular shaped crevice 2a is formed at front and rear side surfaces of the main body 2, respectively.

4. The artificial three curvature sided reef according to any one of claims I to 3, wherein a protruding frame 4 is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the main body 2 between the walls 3 and it extends in the longitudinal direction of the three curvature sided reef 1.

5. The artificial three curvature sided reef as claimed in claim 4, wherein a cutaway groove 4a having a "<" shape is formed at a free end of the protruding frame 4 and it extends in the longitudinal direction of the protruding frame 4.

6. An artificial three curvature sided reef, which may be installed on the bottom of an ocean in the coastal areas of the sea, characterized in that the reef I comprises a main body 2 having a triangular prism shape, in which three wall surfaces of the main body 2 are formed concave respectively toward the center of the triangular prism, so that the main 9 body 2 corresponds roughly to the center portion of the triangular prism; and three walls 3 respectively protruding from the main body 2 in the radial direction at 120 degree angle centering around the main body 2, wherein low ends of the two walls 3 among the three walls 3 are laid on an ocean floor 5 and the rest one wall 3 is placed in an upright position toward surface of the sea, and wherein a protruding frame 4 is formed on the surfaces of the main body 2 and the walls 3 and it extends in the longitudinal direction of the three curvature sided reef 1.

7. The artificial three curvature sided reef as claimed in claim 6, wherein a cutaway groove 4a having a "<" shape is formed at a free end of the protruding frame 4 and it extends in the longitudinal direction of the protruding frame 4.

8. An artificial reef for seaweed, the reef being substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1-4, or Fig. 5, of the accompanying drawings. 10