EA039903B1 - Improved underwater harvesting system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a harvesting system for harvesting zooplankton or mesopelagic fishes and a method of harvesting zooplankton or mesopelagic fishes.

Description

The technical field to which the invention belongs

The invention relates to a fishing system for fishing for zooplankton or mesopelagic fish and a method for fishing for zooplankton or mesopelagic fish.

Background of the Invention

Traditional mass fishing, such as trawling, has resulted in irreversible damage to the aquatic environment and ecosystem.

The capture of zooplankton or mesopelagic fish using methods based on small mesh nets has shown the disadvantages of unintentional accidental capture of several other species, with severe consequences for marine life.

Therefore, an improved fishing system for catching zooplankton or mesopelagic fish would be beneficial, and in particular a more efficient and reliable fishing system that reduces accidental fishing would be beneficial.

Purpose of the invention

The purpose of the invention is to completely or partially overcome the above disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art. More specifically, the object of the invention is to provide a fishing system and method for managing and selectively harvesting specific species of marine life.

Brief summary of the invention

Thus, in the first aspect of the invention, it is intended to achieve the object described above and several other objects by providing a fishing system for fishing for zooplankton or mesopelagic fish, comprising an underwater device for launching and towing into the sea, and the specified underwater device includes a housing equipped with one or more inlets, configured to receive a liquid containing zooplankton or mesopelagic fish, said body comprising one or more collectors; wherein the specified underwater device additionally contains one or more light sources, facilitating the stimulation of the movement of zooplankton in the direction of the illuminated area.

The idea of the invention is to create an ecologically safe fishery for zooplankton or mesopelagic fish, which will avoid the need for mid-water trawling and thus the use of fishing nets.

In the invention, this result is achieved by stimulating the movement of the species of interest using one or more light sources, thus concentrating zooplankton or mesopelagic fish within a desired zone, such as an area in the water, in which they can be fished.

The use of one or more light sources thus forms an illuminated zone in which zooplankton or mesopelagic fish are stimulated and collected in a virtual network created by the illumination.

When towed, the underwater device may also be referred to as an underwater vehicle.

The fishing system additionally contains a hydraulic connection hydraulically connecting the underwater device to the surface vessel.

Fluid containing zooplankton or mesopelagic fish enters the body of the submersible to move towards and to the surface through a hydraulic connection.

The hydraulic connection may be a flexible hose mounted on the subsea device and configured to pass liquid into one or more inlets, i.e. liquid may pass through such a connection. The hose may be configured to securely and hydraulically connect the subsea device to a surface vessel or shore.

In some embodiments, the fishing system further comprises a pumping means for moving fluid containing zooplankton or mesopelagic fish through one or more inlets towards and onto the surface vessel.

In some additional embodiments, one or more light sources are within one or more inlets.

The great advantage of having one or more light sources located within, and therefore within, one or more inlets, is that in this way one or more light sources create a line of light crossing the direction of the fluid created by the suction force of the pumping means, which in this way leads to more efficient harvesting of zooplankton or mesopelagic fish.

Zooplankton or mesopelagic fish head towards the light, thus entering one or more inlets, and due to the suction of the propellant, they will not be able to swim back out of one or more inlets. Thus, the fishery of zooplankton or mesopelagic fish is more efficient due to the presence of one or more light sources within, for example, within one or more inlets.

One or more light sources located within one or more inlets, such

- 1 039903 way, they can be located inside one or more inlets at a given distance from the opening of one or more inlets.

This predetermined distance from the opening of one or more inlets may be beyond the point of no return for zooplankton or mesopelagic fish.

The point of no return is the point defined by the pumping means as the point from which zooplankton or mesopelagic fish cannot swim back out of the inlet due to the suction action of the pumping means.

One or more inlets may be configured to enhance and/or optimize light emission from one or more light sources.

The one or more inlets may be of various shapes to optimize the light emission and allow optimum passage of liquid containing zooplankton or mesopelagic fish towards the surface vessel or onto the shore.

One or more inlets may feature a cone-shaped inlet funnel that provides a gradual increase in flow towards the minimum inlet diameter.

By using a cone-shaped inlet funnel, the suction force of the pumping agent can be felt farther from the inlet opening and gradually build up to maximum speed in the funnel neck.

One or more inlets may be characterized by a cone-shaped inlet funnel having an additional side opening within the wide surface or zone of the opening of the funnel, and the additional side opening is configured to receive one or more light sources.

During use, one or more light sources will thus point in the direction of a specific zone in the water, in which movement will be stimulated and therefore the concentration of zooplankton or mesopelagic fish for more efficient fishing.

In this configuration, one or more light sources create a line of light crossing the direction of the liquid created by the suction force of the pumping means, thus resulting in more efficient fishing for zooplankton or mesopelagic fish.

In some other embodiments, one or more inlets may be characterized by a bell-shaped inlet funnel.

In some embodiments, the interior surface of one or more inlets is treated, such as coated, or surface treated to enhance light emission from one or more light sources.

In some embodiments, one or more light sources are light emitting diodes (LEDs). The LED can be attached, for example glued, to one or more inlets.

The LED can be attached, for example glued, to the LED housing. The housing containing the LED can then be attached, eg glued, to one or more inlets. The housing may provide cooling for the LED.

The one or more light sources may be a light emitting diode attached, for example by using hot melt adhesive, to its housing and in turn to one or more inlets to emit light in the inlet area.

The housing containing the LED may be sealed, such as waterproof, to avoid contact between the LED and the surrounding water during use.

The LED package may contain more than one LED. For example, a combination of different LEDs emitting at different and/or additional target wavelengths can be used to achieve the desired light emission within the required ultraviolet (UV)/visible (Vis)/near infrared (NIR) range, i.e. between 200 and 1100 nm .

In some embodiments, the implementation of the LED package may contain one or more LEDs that provide changes in the color of the emission. The emission of one or more LEDs can be adjusted to select the desired emission wavelength or the desired emission spectrum.

LEDs and their housings can be interchanged for the purpose of conservation or for the purpose of harvesting different species that may be sensitive to other specific wavelengths.

The LED emission can be adjusted using a controller located on the shore or on a surface vessel.

In some embodiments, one or more light sources are within a predetermined distance from the opening of one or more inlets.

One or more light sources may be within a predetermined distance from the opening of one or more inlets, such as beyond the point of no return for zooplankton or mesopelagic fish.

The point of no return is the point defined by the injector as the point from which zooplankton or mesopelagic fish cannot swim back out of the inlet due to suction.

- 2 039903 pumping means.

In some additional embodiments, the one or more inlets comprise a filter means for selecting the size of zooplankton or mesopelagic fish entering the one or more inlets.

The filter media can be a screen, sieve, net or woven wire mesh having the correct spacings to determine the size of the zooplankton or mesopelagic fish that will enter the body of the submersible.

A filter aid for size selection of zooplankton or mesopelagic fish, such as a grid, may be added at the larger end of the inlet, such as a cone-shaped inlet funnel.

This has the advantage of having the filter media at a distance from the maximum suction force, which reduces the chance of large objects blocking the inlet and the hydraulic connection.

This distance from the minimum diameter to the edge of the conical inlet funnel may be between 20 and 60 mm, for example 40 mm. This distance can be adjusted to further counteract debris stuck at the front of the intake.

In some embodiments, one or more light sources emit at a given wavelength, such as between 200 and 1100 nm, such as between 400 and 800 nm, such as between 470 and 490 nm.

Other preset wavelengths can be used to selectively affect different species.

In some embodiments, the light source may be white light that has an emission spectrum in the visible region, ie, between 400 and 800 nm.

In some embodiments, the underwater device further comprises one or more light sources located on the outer surface of the underwater device to stimulate the movement of zooplankton or mesopelagic fish to a certain illuminated area in the water at a distance from the underwater device.

In some embodiments, the fishing system further comprises means for audibly identifying zooplankton or mesopelagic fish.

For example, to better identify species of interest, the fishing system may contain one or more sonars.

In some additional embodiments, the fishing system further comprises means for visually identifying zooplankton or mesopelagic fish.

For example, a fishing system may contain one or more cameras to better identify species of interest.

One or more cameras can be a pan and tilt camera or a wide angle camera located in front of or below the underwater device.

A means of audible and visual identification of zooplankton or mesopelagic fish may be located on the submersible or along a hydraulic connection.

The body of the underwater device contains one or more manifolds, and one or more inlets are inlets into one or more manifolds, and one or more manifolds converge into a hydraulic connection.

The center of the underwater device is a branched collector.

For example, the housing may comprise three manifolds connected to each other via a cam-type connection.

In some embodiments, one or more manifolds are trident shaped, i.e. three parallel manifolds are connected together in a three fork or trident shape.

One or more manifolds have one or more inlets.

For example, in trident-shaped manifolds, the center tube may contain three inlets, while each of the two side tubes may contain two inlets, for a total of seven inlets.

Trident-shaped collectors are shown as the optimal shape for efficient suction of fluid containing zooplankton or mesopelagic fish.

The ratio between the sizes of the different sections of the manifolds can be optimized to achieve optimum fluid velocity through the different sections of the subsea device.

In some embodiments, one or more inlets may have a diameter between 10 and 100 mm, such as between 25 and 85 mm, such as 28 or 46 mm.

Depending on the performance of the pumping means and the number of one or more inlets, the inlet diameter may vary outside the mentioned range.

In some embodiments, the fishing system further comprises one or more buoyancy adjustment elements.

The underwater device operates in the preferred horizontal position. One or more buoyancy adjustment elements can be used to render the underwater device neutrally buoyant.

In some other embodiments, to control the buoyancy of an underwater device

- 3 039903 underwater device contains one or more buoyancy adjustment elements.

One or more buoyancy adjustment elements may be located on the outer surface of the underwater device.

In some embodiments, one or more buoyancy adjustment elements may be located and attached to the inner surface of the subsea device.

One or more buoyancy adjustment elements may be removable elements.

One or more buoyancy adjustment elements may be interchangeable and thus removable from the underwater device.

One or more buoyancy adjustment elements may be floats.

An example of the buoyancy control elements may comprise ethylene vinyl acetate or ethylene vinyl acetate based materials having high buoyancy.

In some embodiments, one or more buoyancy adjustment elements are connected, such as mechanically connected, to the underwater device and are at a predetermined distance from the underwater device.

The mechanical connection between the subsea device and one or more floating elements can be provided by means of a hydraulic connection.

In some embodiments, the buoyancy adjustment elements may be located on the surface of the underwater device as well as at a predetermined distance from the underwater device.

The predetermined distance is the distance determined by the need to hold the subsea device and the buoyancy hydraulic connection so as to keep the subsea device in a predetermined and horizontal position during use.

As a consequence, the presence of a float on the hydraulic connection compensates for the negative buoyancy of the hydraulic connection itself. The absence of a float on the hydraulic connection can unbalance the horizontal fishing position of the subsea device.

In some embodiments, the injection means is located on the subsea device. For example, the pumping means may be on a protective frame surrounding the subsea device.

In some other embodiments, the injection means is at a predetermined distance from the subsea device.

For example, the pumping means may be one or more pumps that move fluid containing zooplankton or mesopelagic fish by mechanical action.

One or more pumps may be centrifugal pumps.

One or more of the pumps may be subsea pumps, thus operating below the sea surface.

In some other embodiments, the injection means is located on said surface vessel.

In some embodiments, the injection means comprises a submersible pump and an additional pump located on a surface vessel or ashore.

For example, the pumping means may be located on the shore.

In some embodiments, the injection means is attached to a hydraulic connection.

In some additional embodiments, the pumping means comprises sound dampening elements, thereby damping sounds generated during the pumping process that may confuse zooplankton or mesopelagic fish.

In some embodiments, the fishing system further comprises a life support cable or conduit for supplying electrical power and fiberglass to the subsea device.

In some embodiments, the injection means is attached to the life support cable.

The life cable and hydraulic connection can be combined into a single structure. For example, a life support cable may be contained within a hydraulic connection.

Each of the first and other aspects and embodiments of the present invention may be combined with any of the other aspects and embodiments. These and other aspects and embodiments of the invention will be understood and explained with reference to the embodiments described below.

Brief description of the figures

In the following, the fishing system and fishing method according to the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. The figures show one way of carrying out the present invention and should not be construed as limiting other possible embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

In FIG. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E are schematic representations of a fishing system according to some embodiments of the invention;

in fig. 2A, 2B are side and front views of an underwater device in accordance with some embodiments of the invention;

in fig. 2C is a perspective view of an underwater device in accordance with some embodiments of the invention;

in fig. 3 is an exploded view of a subsea device in accordance with some embodiments of the invention;

in fig. 4, 5A and 5B show a subsea device manifold in accordance with some embodiments of the invention;

in fig. 6A and 6B show inlets of a subsea device according to some embodiments of the invention;

in fig. 7, 8A and 8B show inlets containing a light source of an underwater device in accordance with some embodiments of the invention;

in fig. 9A and 9B are schematic side and perspective views of a submersible pump according to some embodiments of the invention;

in fig. 10 shows a pumping means for pumping zooplankton or mesopelagic fish, according to some embodiments of the invention;

in fig. 11A is a schematic representation of a production system in which the pumping means is on a structure protecting and surrounding the subsea device;

in fig. 11B is a schematic representation of a fishing system in which the pumping means is on a structure protecting and surrounding the subsea device from a perspective above the fishing system;

in fig. 11C is a schematic representation of a production system in which the injection means is on a structure protecting and surrounding the subsea device from a viewpoint below the production system;

in fig. 12A is a cross-sectional view of an underwater device in accordance with some embodiments of the invention;

in fig. 12B is a bottom view of an underwater device according to some embodiments of the invention;

in fig. 13 is a flow diagram of a method in accordance with some aspects of the invention.

Detailed disclosure of the invention

In FIG. 1A shows a fishing system 11 in which a subsea device 1 is connected to a subsea pump 2 and to a subsea device and subsea pump deployment means 3.

In FIG. 1B shows an alternate configuration of the fishing system 12 in which the subsea device 4 is connected to the subsea device deployment means 5 while the pumping means 6 is on shore or on a surface vessel.

As shown in FIG. 1C, the production system 13 may also have a configuration in which the subsea device 7 is connected to a subsea pump 8 and to a subsea device and subsea pump deployment means 9, which is further connected to a pumping means 10 located onshore or on a surface vessel in order to optimize operations. fishing for zooplankton or mesopelagic fish.

In FIG. 1D shows a production system 14 in which the pumping means, i.e. the subsea pump 15, is located on the subsea device 16. The subsea device deployment means 17 is shown connected to the subsea device 16. For example, the pumping means may be on a protective frame surrounding the subsea device.

In some embodiments, the subsea device deployment means 17 may also be connected to the subsea device via a subsea pump 15. FIG. 1E is a schematic representation of a fishing system comprising a subsea device connected by a flexible hose to a surface vessel. The flexible hose is deployed using a winch located on the surface vessel. A float is connected to the hose, which ensures the correct positioning of the underwater device during use.

An underwater pump is used to pump zooplankton or mesopelagic fish onto a surface vessel. The underwater pump is attached to the hose with a cable clamp. Electricity is supplied to the underwater device through a cable-hose deployed using a cable-hose winch. The submersible pump is powered by a cable-hose, by means of a cable originating at the subsea device. In some other embodiments, the subsea pump may be powered directly through the life cable.

In FIG. 2A, 2B and 2C show a submersible with a hose outlet and floats on the outer surface of the subsea.

In FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the subsea unit showing manifolds (2), manifolds with LED, floats (27), junction box (28), outer camera (25), outer motion stimulation LED (26), rear wing (15 ) and several plates that make up the outer surface of the underwater device.

In FIG. 4 depicts a trident-shaped underwater device manifold in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

In FIG. 5A and 5B show the location of the manifold inlets of a trident-shaped submersible in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

In FIG. 6A and 6B show a cone-shaped inlet funnel and a bell-shaped inlet funnel, respectively.

In FIG. 7, 8A and 8B show an inlet of a subsea device comprising a light source, the light source being located at a side opening within the wide surface or area of the opening of the inlet funnel.

In FIG. 9A and 9B are schematic side and perspective views of a submersible pump according to some embodiments of the invention.

In FIG. 10 depicts a surface pump that can be used as an injector to inject zooplankton or mesopelagic fish, in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

In FIG. 11A, 11B and 11C are schematic representations of a production system in which the injection means is located on a structure protecting and surrounding a subsea device.

In FIG. 11A, 11B and 11C are schematic representations of a production system 24 in which a pumping means, i.e. a subsea pump 19, is located on a structure 18 protecting and surrounding the subsea device 23.

In some embodiments, the structure 18 is a frame type frame or a frame structure having functional features that provide better buoyancy and protection of the subsea device 23. For example, the fishing system 24 may have additional buoyancy control elements attached to the frame structure 18 or to the subsea fishing system 24 to give the underwater device 23, frame 18 and pumping means 19 neutral buoyancy.

In general, the presence of a frame structure 18 on which the pumping means is located provides better protection and control of the fishing system 24 and has the advantage of providing the buoyancy adjustment required to operate the subsea device 23 in the preferred horizontal position. To control the position of the subsea device 23, position sensors may be provided on the frame structure 18.

As shown in FIG. 11A, 11B, and 11C, the fishing system 24 may include small impact shock absorbers such as shock absorbers, bumpers, or resilient pads 22.

Shock absorbers 22 may be on annular structures that are part of the frame structure 18 surrounding the underwater device 23.

In some embodiments, shock absorbers 22 may be buoyancy control elements such as floats.

In some embodiments, sound and vibration damping elements, such as rubber elements, may be provided around the pumping means 19, thus damping the sounds and vibrations generated during the pumping process, which may confuse zooplankton or mesopelagic fish.

In the fishing system 24 comprising the frame structure 18 of FIG. 11A, 11B and 11C also show the presence of a life support cable or conduit 20 for supplying electrical power and a fiberglass subsea device.

The cable-hose can be conveniently wound around the ring structures of the frame 18.

In FIG. 11A, 11B and 11C show the presence of a hydraulic connection or flexible hose 21.

For convenience, flexible hose 21 and cable/hose 20 may be on opposite sides of frame structure 18 to avoid potential entanglement and ultimately help achieve neutral buoyancy.

The frame structure 18 containing the subsea device 23 can be deployed using an additional connection or rope driven by a separate winch.

In this case, the frame structure 18 may have a suitable fastening means for attaching an additional connection or rope for deployment.

Subsea device 23, as shown in FIG. 11C may be optionally equipped with additional light sources located below the inlets, such as a light source 27 illuminating the area below the underwater device 23.

Cameras 25 and 26 may also be located in the area below the subsea device 23 to provide control of the fishing process.

The inlets, as shown in Fig. 11C may not have filter media, i.e. grids, to avoid potential clogging in the inlets.

In FIG. 12A and 12B are cross-sectional and bottom views, respectively, of a subsea device in accordance with certain other embodiments of the invention.

- 6 039903

In FIG. 12A and 12B show a fishing system 28 in which the subsea device 29 is characterized by having a single inlet 30 with a wide opening covering a large area of the bottom surface of the subsea device 29.

The inlet 30 may have a conical shape, thus reducing the size of the holes in the direction of the manifold. Hole 30 may contain one or a number of light sources located around the hole and/or inside the hole.

The conical inlet 30 may be coated or constructed with materials that highly reflect light in the visible range or within the wavelength range of interest to attract appropriate zooplankton or mesopelagic fish.

In this case, the inlet 30 may contain one or more light sources, such as ring lights, for example blue light, illuminating the area surrounding the inlet and/or the area inside the inlet, thus directing the zooplankton or mesopelagic fish inside the inlet towards the collector.

In FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of a method in accordance with some aspects of the invention.

The method of fishing for zooplankton or mesopelagic fish includes the following steps:

(S1) launching the submersible into the sea;

(S2) stimulating the movement of zooplankton and mesopelagic fish towards the illuminated area;

(S3) injecting a liquid containing zooplankton or mesopelagic fish into a surface vessel or ashore.

After descent, the underwater device can be moved towards and into the identified area of interest. The subsea device can be moved by further lowering the device into a deeper fishing area of interest, or by towing the device into another area of interest.

The specific emission of light used to stimulate movement can be adjusted to stimulate different types of movement or to improve movement stimulation.

Identification of commercial species may occur by sound or visual inspection of the area surrounding the subsea device.

Sound monitoring can be achieved using sonar or echo sounding devices.

The identification and control of zooplankton or mesopelagic fish can also be achieved by pumping small samples onto a surface vessel or ashore.

Potential regulation of stray catches can also be achieved through the use of visual inspection, injection of small samples, or by using a filter media to select the size of zooplankton or mesopelagic fish entering one or more inlets, such as a sieve, net or woven wire mesh at regular intervals.

After entering a surface vessel or ashore, the liquid containing zooplankton or mesopelagic fish is treated.

Although the invention has been described in connection with these embodiments, it should in no way be construed as a limitation to the examples presented. The scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims. In the context of the claims, the terms comprising or contains do not exclude other possible elements or steps. Also, mention of references to a single form should not be construed as excluding a plurality. The use of reference signs in the claims in relation to the elements indicated in the figures should also not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. In addition, individual features mentioned in different claims may be usefully combined, and the mention of these features in different claims does not exclude that a combination of features is not possible and useful.

CLAIM

Claims (19)

CLAIM 1. Fishing system for fishing zooplankton or mesopelagic fish, containing an underwater device for launching and towing into the sea, and the specified underwater device contains a housing equipped with one or more inlets configured to receive liquid containing zooplankton or mesopelagic fish, and the specified housing contains one or more collectors, wherein the specified underwater device further comprises one or more light sources to facilitate the stimulation of the movement of zooplankton in the direction of the illuminated area; a hose hydraulically connecting said underwater device to a surface vessel, wherein said one or more inlets are inlets into said one or more manifolds and said one or more manifolds converge into said hose, and said one or more light sources are inside said one or several inlets; pumping means for moving said fluid containing zooplankton or meso- 7 039903 pelagic fish through said one or more inlets into said surface vessel; a frame surrounding said underwater device, wherein said pumping means is on said frame surrounding said underwater device. 2. The fishing system of claim 1, wherein said one or more light sources is an LED, said one or more light sources being attached to said one or more inlets. 3. The fishing system of claim 1, wherein said one or more light sources are within a predetermined distance from an orifice of said one or more inlets. 4. The fishing system of claim 1, wherein said one or more inlets comprises a filter means for selecting the size of zooplankton or mesopelagic fish entering said one or more inlets. 5. A fishing system according to claim 1, wherein said one or more light sources emit at a predetermined wavelength, for example between 400-550 nm. 6. The fishing system of claim 1 further comprising a means of audibly identifying zooplankton or mesopelagic fish. 7. The fishing system of claim 1 further comprising means for visually identifying zooplankton or mesopelagic fish. 8. The fishing system of claim 1, further comprising one or more buoyancy control elements for controlling the buoyancy of said underwater device. 9. The fishing system of claim 8, wherein said one or more buoyancy adjustment elements are removable elements. 10. The fishing system of claim 8, wherein said buoyancy adjustment elements are floats. 11. The fishing system of claim 8, wherein said one or more buoyancy adjustment elements are located on the outer surface of said underwater device. 12. The fishing system of claim 8, wherein said one or more buoyancy adjustment elements are connected to said subsea device and are at a predetermined distance from said subsea device. 13. The fishing system of claim 8, wherein said one or more buoyancy adjustment elements are attached to said frame. 14. The fishing system of claim 1, wherein said pumping means is one or more pumps that move said fluid containing zooplankton or mesopelagic fish by mechanical action. 15. The production system of claim 14, wherein said one or more pumps are subsea pumps. 16. The production system of claim 14, wherein said one or more pumps are centrifugal pumps. 17. The fishing system of claim 1, wherein said pumping means is attached to said hose. 18. The production system of claim 1, wherein said pumping means comprises sound-damping elements. 19. The fishing system according to claim 1, additionally containing light sources located under the specified openings of the specified one or more inlets, illuminating the area under the underwater device during operation.