AU2013399051B2

AU2013399051B2 - An artificial reef module

Info

Publication number: AU2013399051B2
Application number: AU2013399051A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Gregory Page
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-08-30
Filing date: 2013-12-02
Publication date: 2017-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 2033-12-02
Also published as: AU2013399051B9; AU2013399051A1; WO2015027270A1; NZ717328A

Abstract

An artificial reef module comprising a readily assembled housing having harbourages adapted to harbour crustaceans or abalone, the harbourages having tapered form.

Description

WO 2015/027270 PCT/AU2013/001396 1

An artificial reef module

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an artificial reef module and, in one form, to a 5 module forming an artificial marine reef for crustaceans such as lobsters or for abalone.

The invention has been developed primarily for use with crustaceans or abalone but it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

Background of the Invention 10 Certain types of seafood are commercially more desirable than others. In particular, crustaceans have become a much sought after commercial species and, due to their popularity and resultant overfishing, stocks of crustaceans are rapidly depleting. Similar considerations occur with abalone.

It is known to provide artificial reefs. However whilst known existing artificial reefs 15 may be effective in encouraging the population of some fish species, the inventor has surprisingly found that they do not cause an increase in the crustacean or abalone population.

The inventor has recognised that crustacean habitats favourable to crustaceans and abalone differ significantly from habitats favoured by other marine species. For 20 example, existing artificial reefs provide for the fish to swim through. However, research to the behaviour of crustaceans has determined that crustaceans and abalone look for areas to harbour, a feature not provided by artificial reefs. A further problem with artificial reefs is that often they are constructed of heavy material and therefore not readily transportable to the required site. Therefore a 25 preferred method has been the use of floating vessels that have served their useful time and which are floated to location and then sunk. However such techniques does not allow for selection of reef structures suitable for particular types of marine life. WO 2015/027270 PCT/AU2013/001396 2

The present invention seeks to provide an improved artificial reef module which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one or more of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such 5 reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with the invention there is provided an artificial reef module, the module comprising a housing; and harbourages comprising a plurality of cavities with 10 the cavity tapering inward of the housing wherein the configuration of the harbourages are advantageous to crustaceans and abalone.

The harbourages can be integrally formed in the housing

However in another form the harbourages are preformed harbourage elements having a predefined cavity tapering configuration. 15 The module can include a plurality of planar walls of substantially correspondingly similar elongated rectangular shapes, a spacing means, a plurality of planar angled walls of substantially correspondingly similar elongated rectangular shapes, and a fixing means;

Preferably the plurality of planar walls are in spaced arrangement by use of spacing 20 means in a substantially overlying parallel spaced manner including locating the angled walls in relative angled configuration in order to form tapered harbourages The fixing means can fix and maintain the planar walls and angled walls in fixed relative location.

Preferably the fixing means are formed by clamping means clamping the housing 25 elements and harbourages between a top and a base or foot to maintain the housing elements and harbourages in relative locations.

The invention can use multiple modules to provide an artificial reef. The module comprises a housing and harbourages adapted to harbour crustaceans, the harbourages being formed and located in the housing to form the reef structure WO 2015/027270 PCT/AU2013/001396 3

The module of the present invention can advantageously create as near as possible a habitat of a natural reef which has harbourages for crustaceans, thereby providing opportunities for the crustacean population to increase.

The harbourages can provide the advantage of targeting crustaceans such as 5 lobsters and abalone to provide harbourage and breeding areas.

In one form, the harbourages comprise at least one cavity having a configuration which deters non-crustaceans from entering the cavity. Such a configuration deters non crustaceans from accessing the harbourages and, further still prevents predators, such as seals, from accessing the harbourages. 10 In one form, the cavity preferably tapers inward of the housing to prevent access by predators and to deter non-crustaceans.

In one form, the cavity has a substantially triangular cross section.

In one form, two or more harbourages are aligned on top of one another.

In one form, the harbourages are around about 25cm to a metre in length. 15 In one form, the harbourages have a dimension at their opening of around about 25cm to 50cm.

The harbourages can be substantially closed at a tapered end.

In one form, the housing comprises a plurality of walls to define each cavity. The plurality of walls can comprise a plurality of lateral walls extending along a horizontal 20 axis of the housing and longitudinal walls extending along a vertical axis of the housing.

In one form, the housing further comprises a fixing mechanism to prevent the shifting of the plurality of walls. In one form, the fixing mechanism can be a steel rod or cable. In this form, the fixing mechanism can extend diagonally along the housing of the 25 module between two opposing ends of the housing. In yet another form, the fixing mechanism extends through the housing. For example, through one or more of the lateral walls. WO 2015/027270 PCT/AU2013/001396 4

Preferably, a surface of the housing (especially the surface of the harbourages) is adapted to encourage growth of other marine life including seaweed and algae. Such a module can provide as near as possible a habitat of a natural reef. The surface of the housing can be further adapted to encourage harbourage and breeding by the crustaceans. The surface of the housing may, for example, include grooves and crevices that provide protection for eggs and very young marine animals. This in turn will encourage breeding of various species.

In one form, the housing comprises holes to allow water to flow through the housing. This will allow a necessary supply of nutrients and food to flow over and through the resultant artificial reef, as well as assisting to prevent mass water movement (e.g. tidal water movement, ocean currents, storm surges etc) from moving the housing.

In one form, a single module can form the artificial reef. In another form, a plurality of modules can be placed to form an artificial reef and to extend a larger form of the artificial.

In another aspect, the invention provides a module for an artificial marine reef. The module comprises a structure adapted to support crustaceans. In one form, the module can further comprise an attachment for attaching the module to another module.

The invention also provides a method of construction a module that forms the harbourages including the steps of providing a module kit comprising of a plurality of planar walls of substantially correspondingly similar shapes, a spacing means, harbourage elements, and a fixing means; locating the plurality of planar walls in spaced arrangement by use of spacing means in a substantially overlying parallel spaced manner; locating the harbourage elements relative to the plurality of planar walls in spaced arrangement; and using the fixing means to fix and maintain the planar walls and harbourages in fixed relative location.

The harbourages can comprise a cavity having a configuration which is advantageous to crustaceans and abalone by the cavity having a substantially open mouth at an extremity and tapering inward of the housing.

The harbourage elements can be a plurality of planar angled walls of substantially correspondingly similar elongated rectangular shapes and by locating the angled WO 2015/027270 PCT/AU2013/001396 5 walls 31 in relative angled configuration to the planar walls form tapered harbourages.

The harbourage elements can be preformed tapered cavity body elements that can be relatively located in the housing.

Other elements of the invention are all described.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front diagrammatic view of a module in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the module through 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the module through 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a front diagrammatic view of a module in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the module through 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a partial top view of a solid floor panel for use in a module in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a wedged spacing means for use in a module in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention of Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a front diagrammatic view of a module in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 is a sectional view of the module such as in Figure 4;

Figure 10 is a sectional view of the module such as in Figure 4;

Figure 11 is an overhead plan view of the module such as in Figure 4;

Figure 12 is a sectional view of the module in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 13 is a sectional view of the module in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 14 is a sectional view of the module in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the invention; and WO 2015/027270 PCT/AU2013/001396 6

Figure 15 is a diagrammatic flow diagram of the method of using the module in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

The invention provides for an artificial reef module 10 adapted to support crustaceans or abalone.

The module can have a housing and harbourages integrally formed with the housing to harbour the crustaceans and abalone or be a housing able to house a plurality of non-integral harbourages. A first specific embodiment of the invention will now be described below with reference to the Figures 1 to 3. Referring to the Figures there is shown a module 10 for an artificial reef adapted to support crustaceans or abalone. The module 10 has a housing 12 and harbourages 15 integrally formed with the housing to harbour the crustaceans or abalone.

The housing 12 is generally a rectangular shape. The harbourages 15 form cavities 24 which cavities 24 have a larger front opening 25 leading to a rear tapered end 26. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the tapering effect extends the length of the cavity and extends across the entire width of the module from the front opening 24 of the harbourages extending the entire width except for supporting or fixing mechanisms interrupting the opening.

The module 10 can provide as close to a suitable safe habitat for the crustacean or abalone as possible.

The housing 12 is formed of a plurality of walls 29, 31. Even though in this embodiment the walls can extend across the housing in a plurality of generally horizontal directions, they can be at an angle to each other or to the supporting surface. Therefore the walls 29, 31 primarily provide a structure defining the walls of harbourages 15.

The walls 29, 30 are formed of concrete panels. The walls can have a base 28 formed by laterally extending horizontal panel 29. A plurality of parallel horizontal panels overly each other and between each horizontal wall 29 is a further laterally WO 2015/027270 PCT/AU2013/001396 7 extending wall 31 at an angle to the adjacent horizontal walls 29. Therefore the adjacent walls 29, 31 form walls of the harbourages 15 with the relative angles forming the cavities 24 with a tapering effect from the front opening 25 to the tapered rear 26. 5 In particular, as seen in Figures 2 and 3, the tapering effect of each cavity 24 in this embodiment is created by the angled placement of the horizontal walls 31 relative to the base 28 or horizontal walls 29. As shown particularly in figure 3 the angled placement of the horizontal walls 31 to the horizontal walls forms two harbourages 15 on either side of the angled wall with each elative opening 15 at the opposite side of 10 the module 10. In this way maximum usage is achieved by the harbourage design. The angled walls 31 can be angled in alternate directions from one level to another as shown in figure 3 or be consistently angled the same way such as shown in Figure 9.

Such a tapering effect can provide a desired harbourage location for crustaceans and 15 abalone. In addition, such a tapering effect can assist in protecting the crustaceans from predators and can prevent the crustaceans from being attacked from behind as the tail end will be snuggled towards the end of the cavity having the smallest diameter and which will be substantially closed. Further the open nature of the module means that the harbourages are not appealing to the predators of the 20 crustaceans or abalone. One of those predators is the octopus which prefers small enclosed cavities. Therefore an element of the design is to make the harbourages beneficial to the crustaceans and abalone and not beneficial to the predators.

The module 10 can further comprise of a fixing mechanism 32 to prevent the plurality of walls 29, 31 shifting during the placement of the module 10 in a desired location on 25 the sea bed and, in use, due to currents.

In Figure 2 a first type of fixing mechanism is shown in which there is a clamping mechanism 32 formed of a top wall 33 and base feet 35 and a partially threaded steel cable 34 extending therebetween and able to be clamped by a nut on the threaded cable. The top wall 33 is continuous and could be formed by the top horizontal wall 30 29 but preferably is different so as to extend further between the front and back of the module 10 and similarly the feet 35 extend further than the depth of the walls 29 so WO 2015/027270 PCT/AU2013/001396 8 that the steel cable can extend therebetween on the outer side of the walls and be adjustable to provide the clamping effect. However further there are front and rear spacing uprights 36 which fit at the front and rear of the walls 29 but between the top wall 33 and the feet 35. The spacing uprights 36 have internal formations matching in with formations of the walls 29 so that the walls 29 can fit therein at the required predetermined spaced positions above each other. However the angled walls 31 also fit in between the parallel adjacent walls 29 and the spacing uprights 36 and the steel cables 34. The whole arrangement is then clamped by the partially threaded steel cable 34 between the top wall 33 and the feet 35 having a boltnut threaded on the cable to reduce the spacing between top wall 33 and the feet 35.

It can therefore be seen that the parts are all substantially planar including the planar walls 29 the planar walls 31 that are positioned at angles, the planar top wall 33 and the spacing uprights 36 and the steel cables 34. Further the feet 35 are also readily transportable prisms. In this way one or more modules even if made of concrete can be transported by truck to the required seaside location.

Another advantage is that there are minimum amount of fixing elements. Therefore the modules can be readily assembled at seaside location or on barge or the like and then be submerged at the required in use position that is conducive to crustacean and/ or abalone habitat.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5 a further form of fixing mechanism 32 can use the steel cable 34 to extend through the module 10 from top wall 33 to bottom feet 35 in which the steel rods 34 can extend through the module 10 by proceeding through the horizontal wall panels 29. The final arrangement of wall panels 29, 31 are similar through 3-3 of Figure 5 results in substantially the same configuration as Figure 3 of the first embodiment. However the spacing means is not provided by spacing uprights on the outside of the walls 29, 31 but instead is provided by spacing wedges 38 as shown in figure 7. Their relative location is shown in figure 6 in which is shown the footprint 38F located across the horizontal walls 29 upon which a wedge 38 is located. As shown in Figure 5 the top edge of a first wedge 38 provides the angled support of the angled walls 31 and then a second wedge in an inverted position rests 9 on the angled wall 31 and provides the support of the next horizontal wall 29 located above. This is repeated to provide the entire module form.

It can be seen that the use of wedges 38 can provide side walls to the harbourages. However as long as the walls are spaced sufficiently to provide the structural support 5 then the cavities 24 of the harbourages are still sufficiently open to deter predators of the crustaceans and abalone while still providing the tapered defensive protection suitable as advantageous harbourages 15 for the crustaceans and abalone.

It can also be seen that this embodiment maintains the advantage of being formed of parts that are readily transportable in disassembled form and assembled with simple 10 means at the required seaside location.

The steel cables 34 can be in-line with the wedges 38 such as in Figure 4 or they can be offset such as shown in Figure 7. Further as in Figure 7 there can be diagonal strengthening torsional elements and other rigidity improving struts if required.

As shown by Figure 14 the steps of construction for a module that forms the 15 harbourages include: 20 25 WO 2015/027270 PCT/AU2013/001396 a. Provide a module kit comprising of a plurality of planar walls 29 of substantially correspondingly similar elongated rectangular shapes, a spacing means, a plurality of planar angled walls 31 of substantially correspondingly similar elongated rectangular shapes, and a fixing means; b. Locate the plurality of planar walls in spaced arrangement by use of spacing means in a substantially overlying parallel spaced manner including locating the angled walls 31 in relative angled configuration in order tom form tapered harbourages c. Use the fixing means to fix and maintain the planar walls 29 and angled walls in fixed relative location.

However in another form as shown in Figure 11 the module can form the housing and only have one angled wall 31 to form the harbourages 15 on that relative planar horizontal wall 29 while other harbourage elements 51,52, 53 are preformed tapered WO 2015/027270 PCT/AU2013/001396 10 cavity body elements that can be relatively located in the housing on other relative planar horizontal wall 29. This is particularly beneficial in comparing efficacy of the harbourages but more particularly providing a baseline effectiveness. Clearly the housing might have no integral harbourage elements but all preformed harbourages having the predefined open but tapered cavity structure can be relatively located and supported in a high density easy assembled modular system. It should be noted that a reef could comprise 10 or 100 or more modules forming a reef.

As shown by Figure 14 the steps of construction for a module that forms the harbourages include: d. Provide a module kit comprising of a plurality of planar walls 29 of substantially correspondingly similar elongated rectangular shapes, a spacing means, none, one or a plurality of planar angled walls 31 of substantially correspondingly similar elongated rectangular shapes, a plurality of preformed harbourages and a fixing means; e. Locate the harbourages including the plurality of planar walls in spaced arrangement by use of spacing means in a substantially overlying parallel spaced manner including locating the none, one or more angled walls 31 in relative angled configuration in order tom form tapered harbourages or inserting the preformed harbourages into the housing f. Use the fixing means to fix and maintain the planar walls 29 and angled walls and preformed harbourages in fixed relative location.

The module can have a support base 36 to support the housing 12 on the sea bed. The support base 36 assists in supporting the housing 12 at a distance above the sea bed so as to allow, for example, the use of a harness to be wrapped around the module 10. Preferably, the support base lifts the housing 12 approximately 250cm from the sea bed. The harness can be used by relevant machinery to lift the module 10 from mainland to the desired location on the sea bed for installation or removal of the module 10.

The housing 12 can be formed of a heavy material such as concrete, in the form of concrete panels, in order to cause the module 10 to sink and remain on the seabed during use. In particular, a heavy material will prevent movement of the module 10 in WO 2015/027270 PCT/AU2013/001396 11 the presence of a strong current. Preferably however, the material used is not too heavy so as to increase the difficulty or impede on the transportability of such modules on mainland to the desired location on the seabed. The desired location is often a substantially even surface of seabed. Advantageously, a balance as to the preferred weight can be obtained, as in this embodiment, by the combination of the material and structure employed.

The material used should also preferably provide the module with a long life span without releasing contaminants into the sea.

The housing 12 can provide a natural habitat for the crustaceans by having at least one surface of the housing adapted to encourage growth of seaweed and algae and/or encourage harbourage and breeding by the crustaceans. For example, the surface can be layered or carpeted with artificial seaweed and algae. The surface can be an internal surface 16 inside the housing 12 or an external surface 18 on the outside of the housing. The internal and external surfaces 16, 18 of the housing 12 can, for example, have grooves and contours. This can allow for areas that provide protection and habitat for eggs and very young marine life, which in turn will encourage the breeding of various species from the bottom of the food chain up.

Therefore, in use, the module 10 is placed on the sea bed. The module can be carried from mainland to the desired location by placement of a harness around the module 10. The module 10 can be lowered onto the seabed by a number of means recognised by a person skilled in the art. For example, parachute like mechanisms can be attached to the module to allow for the gradual release and fall of the module to the seabed. The module 10 will be positioned to provide desired flow of currents and tidal movements to give the module 10 necessary supply of nutrients and food to encourage habitation of crustaceans.

The module shown in the accompanying figures is approximately 6m in length and 2.240m in depth. The height of each base 28 is approximately 7.5cm. The width of the bottommost base 28 sitting closest to the seabed is approximately 115cm. The height of each cavity, between the base 28 of each cavity, is around 250cm. However, it will be appreciated that other sizes are possible and that these measurements are exemplary only. WO 2015/027270 PCT/AU2013/001396 12

The harbourages further comprise of features making it desirable to lure and harbour crustaceans. This can include placement of artificial or natural plant life. At least one of the plurality of walls of the cavity can have grooves and contours. This can allow for areas that provide protection and habitat for eggs and very young marine life, 5 which in turn will encourage the breeding of various species. In one embodiment, buoys can be attached to rope, which in turn are attached to the module. In doing so, the rope can capture marine life such as kelp drifting in the current. Marine life drifting in the current can travel down the kelp covered rope to the housing. 10 15 20 25 30

In an alternate embodiment, the housing can have holes to allow water to flow through the housing. As certain species of marine life flow with the current, the circulation of water through the housing can bring food to the crustaceans harbouring within. As will be appreciated, embodiments of the module for an artificial reef of the presented invention can provide numerous advantages including (but not limited to): g. Creating a substantially natural habitat for such crustaceans as lobsters and abalone; h. Assists in increasing the population of crustaceans, particularly for the commercial fishing industry; i. The modular construction of the module allows for flexibility in the general size of the module such that the size of the module can be lengthened, widened and given greater height, if desired; j. The surface of the housing is such that it encourages the growth of seaweed and algae, and other marine vegetation and marine life; k. The tapering of the cavities towards the rear of the cavity assists in protecting the crustacean or abalone sitting inside the cavity from attack by a predator from the rear; l. The module can be used as a single unit, or a series of modules can be aligned in a linear configuration, end to end, to form long lines of reef or various patters as the seabed allows. In an alternate embodiment as shown in figures 13 and 14, the harbourages can extend partially through the housing and be formed in an integral manner. This can be structured with walls formed integral and cantilevered from single upright wall or WO 2015/027270 PCT/AU2013/001396 13 extend between fixed Although this form might not have the advantage of ready transportability in virtually flat pack format like previously described embodiments it still has the benefit of the tapered modules and high intensity and effective design of back to back and adjacent tapered harbourages that are advantageous tom the 5 abalone and crustaceans.

The side walls 26 and the base 28 can each define the location and boundaries of each individual cavity 24. In doing so, a crustacean in one cavity 24 cannot travel into another cavity within the housing. The crustacean will need to exit one cavity through an opening 25 and enter the second cavity via opening 25. The opening can be 10 around about 25 to 50cm.

The length of the cavity 24 along the width of the housing 12 can allow for more than one crustacean to find refuge in each cavity 24. As shown the cavities 24 can be arranged in a vertical fashion on top of one another.

In an alternate embodiment, the harbourages can have a protruding member 15 extending from side walls 26 of the housing in a shelf like manner. This can create different levels in the cavity and allow refuge for more than one crustacean in each cavity.

The harbourages may include additional features which facilitate luring and harbouring crustaceans. This can include placement of artificial or natural plant life. 20 The plurality of walls of the cavity or the protruding member can have grooves and contours. This can allow for areas that provide protection and habitat for eggs and very young marine life, which in turn will encourage the breeding of various species. A single module can form the artificial reef. Alternatively, a plurality of modules 10 can be connected together, or placed in a close configuration, to form the artificial 25 reef. In an alternate embodiment, the module 10 may also have a connecting mechanism to allow the housing 12 to be connected to a second housing 12 of a second module 10. The artificial reef can therefore be extended indefinitely and cover a large surface area of the seabed. Preferably, the plurality of modules 10 can be arranged linearly by placing the two or more of the modules 10 front to end. The WO 2015/027270 PCT/AU2013/001396 14 configuration can be altered depending on, for example, the terrain of the seabed and the direction of the current.

Interpretation

Embodiments:

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Different Instances of Objects WO 2015/027270 PCT/AU2013/001396 15

As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Specific Details

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Terminology

In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

Comprising and Including

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow WO 2015/027270 PCT/AU2013/001396 16 the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Scope of Invention

Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred 5 embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or 10 deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in 15 many other forms.

Whilst there has been described herein, particular embodiments of an artificial reef module of the present invention, the described embodiments are considered in all respects only as illustrative and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. 20 Industrial Applicability

It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the fishing and recreation industries.

Claims

Claims

1. An artificial reef module, the module comprising: a. a housing; and b. harbourages comprising a plurality of cavities with the cavity tapering inward of the housing wherein the configuration of the harbourages are advantageous to crustaceans and abalone.
2. A module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the harbourages are substantially closed at a tapered end.
3. A module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cavity has a substantially triangular cross section leading from a front open side to a cavity tapering inwards to the vertex of the triangle.
4. A module according to any one of the preceding claims wherein two or more of the harbourages are aligned on top of one another.
5. A module according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the harbourages are integrally formed in the housing
6. A module according to claim 5 wherein the module includes a plurality of planar walls of substantially correspondingly similar elongated rectangular shapes, a spacing means, a plurality of planar angled walls of substantially correspondingly similar elongated rectangular shapes, and a fixing means;
7. A module according to claim 6 wherein the plurality of planar walls are in spaced arrangement by use of spacing means in a substantially overlying parallel spaced manner including locating the angled walls in relative angled configuration in order to form tapered harbourages
8. A module according to claim 7 wherein the fixing means fix and maintain the planar walls and angled walls in fixed relative location.
9. A module according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the fixing means are formed by clamping means clamping the housing elements and harbourages between a top and a base or foot to maintain the housing elements and harbourages in relative locations.
10. A module according to claim 1 wherein the harbourages are not integrally formed in the housing.
11. A module according to claim 10 wherein harbourage elements are preformed tapered cavity body elements that can be relatively located in the housing.
12. A module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the harbourages have a dimension at their opening of around about 25cm to 50cm.
13. A module according to any one of the preceding claims where the harbourages are around about 25cm to 1 metre in length.
14. A module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing further comprises a plurality of lateral walls extending along a horizontal axis of the housing.
15. A module according to claim 9, wherein the housing comprises longitudinal walls extending along a vertical axis of the housing.
16. A module according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the housing further comprises a fixing mechanism to join the plurality of the lateral walls in a substantially parallel spaced manner above each.
17. A module according to claim 16, wherein the fixing mechanism includes a steel rod or cable.
18. A module according to claim 16, wherein the fixing mechanism includes a spacing means to space the plurality of the lateral walls in a substantially parallel spaced manner above each other.
19. A module according to claims 16, wherein the fixing mechanism extends diagonally along the housing between two opposing ends of the housing.
20. A module according to claims 16, wherein the fixing mechanism extends through the housing.
21. A module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing further comprises a surface adapted to encourage growth of seaweed and algae.
22. A module according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the harbourages further comprise a surface adapted to encourage harbourage and breeding of the crustaceans.
23. A method of construction a module that forms the harbourages including the steps of: a. Providing a module kit comprising of a plurality of planar walls of substantially correspondingly similar shapes, a spacing means, harbourage elements, and a fixing means; b. Locating the plurality of planar walls in spaced arrangement by use of spacing means in a substantially overlying parallel spaced manner; c. Locating the harbourage elements relative to the plurality of planar walls in spaced arrangement; and d. Using the fixing means to fix and maintain the planar walls and harbourages in fixed relative location.
24. A method of construction a module according to claim 23 wherein the harbourages comprise a cavity having a configuration which is advantageous to crustaceans and abalone by the cavity having a substantially open mouth at an extremity and tapering inward of the housing.
25. A method of construction a module according to claim 24 wherein the harbourage elements are a plurality of planar angled walls of substantially correspondingly similar elongated rectangular shapes and by locating the angled walls 31 in relative angled configuration to the planar walls form tapered harbourages.
26. A method of construction a module according to claim 23 wherein the harbourage elements are preformed tapered cavity body elements that can be relatively located in the housing.