EP3700330A1

EP3700330A1 - Device for rearing aquaculture animals at sea

Info

Publication number: EP3700330A1
Application number: EP18779412.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Eric Marissal; Lila PINCOT
Original assignee: Genocean SAS
Current assignee: Genocean SAS
Priority date: 2017-10-27
Filing date: 2018-10-05
Publication date: 2020-09-02
Also published as: KR20200098499A; AU2018354748A1; CN111278280A; US20200281170A1; CN111315211B; JP2021500059A; US20200337277A1; EP3700332A1; KR20200098498A; FR3054953A1; JP2021500060A; CN111315211A; WO2019081185A1; AU2018356652A1; FR3054953B1

Abstract

This rearing device (1) comprises: - a framework (3) intended to be placed at the sea bed (15); - at least one rearing enclosure (5) internally delimiting a volume (7) for receiving the aquaculture animals (9) ; - a connection (13) connecting said at least one rearing enclosure (5) to the framework (3), permitting a rotation of said at least one rearing enclosure (5) with respect to the framework (3) about at least one substantially horizontal axis of rotation; - a float device (10) connected to said at least one rearing enclosure (5) via a flexible connection (95) of a length chosen such that, when the flexible connection (95) is vertically tensioned, the float device (10) is located in the intertidal zone.

Description

Aquaculture animal breeding device at sea

The invention generally relates to devices for breeding aquaculture animals at sea, in particular shellfish and more particularly oysters.

In most oyster farming countries, oysters are eaten shucked.

They are cooked before being consumed. In France, and in other countries, oysters are eaten alive in their shells. These two different modes of consumption have contributed to two different types of farming methods. Indeed raw consumption in the shell requires an irreproachable quality of the form of it, a less important being given to the quality of the flesh. For the consumption of the shucked flesh no importance is given to the shape of the oyster.

Thus, in the shelled consumer, the consumer requires a very fleshy fish, likely to retain a certain volume and texture after cooking, as for mussels. In the vast majority of cases, oysters are then raised in open water, stuck on their original support until they reach a sufficient size and age. They are harvested at appropriate times so that the amount of meat and the quality of fattening are in line with consumer expectations.

In the case of oysters eaten raw in their shells, zootechnics has turned towards the oyster culture one-on-one, in enclosures likely to be shaken regularly to prevent them from sticking together.

In order to allow these manipulations, the rearing areas are delimited exclusively in the intertidal zone allowing access at low tide for the personnel in charge of the mixing of the enclosures. These speakers are usually plastic mesh pockets, placed on steel bar tables anchored on the beach. Thus concentrated and handled, oysters grow properly, but rarely reach a quality of flesh equivalent to that sought by the informed consumer, accustomed to consume shucked oysters.

The discovering zone, ie the intertidal zone, is characterized by the force of the waves, itself a function of the exposure of the concerned coastline to wind and offshore swell. On rare sites, it is thus possible, because of a particularly powerful and regular mixing by the waves, to obtain not only oysters sufficiently rolled in the pockets of breeding so that their shells are eroded, rounded and well hollowed out but also an exceptional rate of flesh. These oysters are called "super special". The phenomenon involved is simple: the oyster, when its food capacity is satisfied, always favors the allocation of energy to shellfish growth at the expense of fattening until a certain age (3 years). On the sites strongly exposed to the waves, the fact that the shells are rolled in the breeding enclosures very regularly during the ebb tide, when the speakers emerge in the waves, allows to break part of the daily growth of shellfish and to oblige the animal to favor a growth of the shell in thickness, slower, but guaranteeing a hollow and rounded form. This operation would be impossible to achieve by hand for reasons of duration of intervention at low tide, given the time needed by the staff to carry out on large areas breeding.

At the same time, the proportion of energy not affected by shell growth is redirected towards fattening, thus favoring a very high rate of flesh, characterized by the quality of "super special".

This quality can be quantified as a filling rate of the pallial cavity of 60% after opening and 10 minutes of dewatering. This combination of high quality and high meat content is the very high-end which, when consumed raw, is highly appreciated by consumers in all countries of the world.

Unfortunately, the sites in which this shell-rolling work is naturally performed in conventional oyster-pouch type enclosures are rare. These sites must indeed have a sufficient food richness and a strong and constant agitation, but never excessive to avoid a total destruction of the breeding site in case of storm.

In recent years, a certain number of oyster farmers have had the idea of creating so-called suspended breeding enclosures, of the swinging type, in which oysters would be more easily set in motion than in oyster bags traditionally fixed on the tables.

The speakers are suspended from cables stretched horizontally, or under steel bars carried oyster tables. They are very mobile, and are therefore likely to transfer to the oysters they contain the movement printed by the sea currents and waves of less amplitude than those required for stirring oysters in fixed enclosures.

There are several models of suspended speakers: most are tubular enclosures, with or without a door at one end, and suspended from cables attached to their top.

These models present a certain number of serious handicaps, which limit their use enormously.

These speakers are very fragile. They are effective for brewing oysters under moderately severe conditions (marine current, swell ...) but do not support the severe conditions accepted by fixed enclosures. They can not be used in semi-lagoon protected, and can therefore be used in a very small proportion of oyster farming sites for the production of oyster French.

Second, given the oscillating movement, all these speakers spontaneously been designed in a cylindrical shape that leaves little surface available for a substantial mass of oysters. Indeed, the oysters accumulating at the low point of the enclosure, they have a small surface to spread out. Once the growth is sufficient to fill half of the enclosure, the oysters pile up and the movements are no longer sufficient to roll the oysters. Breeding is naturally reoriented towards a degradation of the quality of the shell and the flesh.

Thirdly, an incidental consequence of the cylindrical shape is the oyster stack, which can roll in the chamber only if the stirring conditions are very strong. This is quite incompatible with the fragility of the material.

Fourth, these cylindrical enclosures have a large footprint, and therefore occupy a huge storage volume. This limits the carrying capacity of the oysters, and complicates the ability to stably stack the vessels on the handling vessels or trailers compared to the flat oyster bags that stack easily and have only a slightly larger volume. to that of the oysters transported.

Fifth, these speakers are very difficult to clean because they have a multitude of faces and an interior volume inaccessible to the washing jet.

Sixthly, they can not be turned over, and are therefore fouled by algae on the light side and by ascidians on the underside, away from the sun. This quickly causes a blackout of the mesh thus depriving the oysters inside the flow of water necessary for their good nutrition.

To alleviate some of the difficulties above, FR 2 576 484 proposes to add a float outside the enclosure. Thus, the enclosure turns back between the high tide, during which it floats, and the low tide, during which it hangs. It is clear that this turnaround allows a better mixing of oysters, especially at the time of emergence at tide. However, such a set is usable only on the foreshore, that is to say in the areas discovered at low tide.

A number of tests have also been carried out in deep water in cages gathering a large number of breeding enclosures, either fixed like oyster bags, or mobile with swings. Trials to date have all led to poor results. Indeed, the exceptional growth expected by the constant immersion are well at the rendezvous, but the submarine immobility of these These structures lead to oysters that reach commercial size at a very young age and are therefore very fragile, very deformed and have very low meat levels. Yet a functional cage culture would have great advantages: a significant shortening of the breeding time, labor savings and better ergonomics by the industrialization of the work of many pregnant at the same time in the same cage.

In this context, the invention aims to provide a device for breeding at sea that provides a good mix and can be used on a larger area.

To this end, the invention according to a first aspect relates to a device for rearing aquaculture animals at sea, the device comprising:

a frame intended to be placed in the seabed;

at least one rearing enclosure delimiting internally a receiving volume for aquaculture animals;

- A connection of said at least one breeding chamber to the frame, allowing a rotation of said at least one breeding chamber relative to the frame about at least one substantially horizontal axis of rotation;

a float device connected to said at least one breeding enclosure by a flexible link of chosen length so that the float device, when the flexible link is stretched vertically, is in the tidal zone,

wherein the rearing device comprises several rearing enclosures located one above the other, each linked to the frame by a connection allowing a rotation of said rearing chamber relative to the frame around at least one axis of substantially horizontal rotation, all the breeding enclosures being linked to the same float device;

and wherein the breeding enclosures are directly connected to each other by intermediate links.

The invention is therefore based on the combination of a structure having several pivoting enclosures placed in the seabed, typically in deep water, and a float at a height selected in the range of the tidal range. The structure and the speakers are of any suitable type, the speakers being for example a simple oyster bag attached to a metal swivel tray.

The length of the flexible link is chosen so that at least one moment during the tidal cycle, the float floats on the surface of the water with the flexible link stretched, so that the movements of the water due to the waves are transmitted by the float and the flexible link to the breeding enclosure. The rearing device can thus be used in deep water, that is to say in an area where rearing enclosures are not discovered at low tide. It becomes possible to exploit large areas of the sea outside of the foreshore, thus solving the problems of conflict of use.

The device may further have one or more of the following features, considered individually or in any technically feasible combination:

the intermediate links are configured to convert vertical movements of the float device due to the swell into oscillatory movement of the breeding enclosures with respect to the chassis around their axes of rotation;

the intermediate links comprise a rigid member and articulations of the rearing enclosures with a rigid member;

the articulations are configured to allow the speakers to pivot relative to the rigid member;

- The flexible connection directly connects the upper breeding chamber to the float device;

- Each breeding chamber is directly connected by an intermediate link to the breeding enclosure immediately above and / or the breeding enclosure immediately below;

- A limiter device binds the upper breeding enclosure to the frame, limiting the movement of the breeding enclosure downwards, the limiter device is preferably a flexible link;

a limiter device links one of the rearing enclosures to the chassis, limiting the movement of the rearing enclosures upwards, the limiter device preferably being a flexible link;

said at least one rearing chamber has a proximal edge and a distal edge opposite to each other, the link linking the proximal edge to the frame, the float device being connected to an area of said at least one enclosure breeding located near the distal edge;

- The connection allows a rotation of said at least one breeding enclosure around a first substantially horizontal axis of rotation, and a rotation of the first axis of rotation relative to the frame about a second axis of rotation substantially parallel to the first axis. rotation;

- The connection comprises at least one rod-type connecting member pivotally mounted on said at least one breeding chamber around the first axis of rotation and pivotally mounted on the frame about the second axis of rotation; said at least one rearing chamber has a substantially flat bottom, parallel to the first and second axes of rotation;

- The float device comprises a string of floats, the string having a plurality of floats, mounted one behind the other along a flexible link whose lower end is secured to the flexible connection.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to an assembly comprising a plurality of breeding devices as defined above, the lengths of the flexible links of the breeding devices being chosen so that, when said flexible links are stretched vertically, the float devices of the rearing devices are substantially at the same level.

According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a method for culturing aquaculture animals at sea, the method comprising a step of implantation at sea of at least one rearing device as defined above, the frame being disposed in the seabed, the length of the flexible connection being chosen so that the float device, when the flexible connection is tensioned vertically, is in the tidal zone.

Advantageously, several devices as defined above are implanted at sea in the implantation step, the frames of said rearing devices are placed on the foreshore at different respective levels, the lengths of the flexible links of said devices. breeding being chosen so that, when said flexible links are stretched vertically, the float devices of the rearing devices are substantially at the same level.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description given below, for information only and in no way limitative, with reference to the appended figures, among which:

- Figure 1 is a simplified schematic representation of a breeding device not in accordance with claim 1;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the upward movement of one of the rearing enclosures of the device of FIG. 1,

- Figure 3 illustrates the downward movement of the same breeding chamber; FIG. 4 is a more precise illustration of several enclosures of the breeding device of FIG. 1, seen from above;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are respectively front and side views of a half-chamber used to constitute the speakers of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are enlarged views of details of the half-chamber of FIGS. 5 and 6; - Figure 9 is a side view of a connecting member of the device of Figure 4, before attachment to the breeding chamber;

- Figures 10 to 12 are perspective views of the connecting member of Figure 9, respectively mounted on the breeding chamber in stable open position, and closed around the frame;

- Figure 13 is a top view of the connecting member of Figure 12, after attachment to the breeding chamber and the frame;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of one of the breeding enclosures of FIG. 4, showing the reinforced abutment zones and the locking members;

FIG. 15 is a simplified schematic representation in perspective of the breeding device of FIG. 1, illustrating the manner in which it is possible to return the rearing enclosures;

FIG. 16 illustrates a second rearing device, according to the invention, in a situation where the float is at mid-tide at the level of the surface of the sea;

FIGS. 17 and 18 are diagrammatic side views of the rearing device of FIG. 16, at high tide and at low tide;

- Figure 19 illustrates how different rearing devices according to Figure 16 may be arranged along the foreshore;

- Figure 20 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the breeding device of Figure 16, wherein the system for the suspension of the speakers comprises a string of floats disposed in the tidal zone and an internal float housed in each chamber;

- Figure 21 illustrates another mode of arrangement of the frames on which the speakers are mounted;

FIG. 22 illustrates another variant of the breeding device of FIG. 16.

The invention relates to a device for rearing aquaculture animals at sea. These animals are typically shellfish, and are more particularly oysters. Alternatively, the shells are all kinds of bivalves like clams, mussels out any other type of shell.

This device is intended for breeding at sea. This farming can be carried out off the coast or in sloughs, estuaries or rias, or in ponds communicating with the sea or in any other suitable place.

A rearing device 1 not in accordance with the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3. The rearing device 1 comprises:

a chassis 3; at least one breeding enclosure 5 internally defining a reception volume 7 for the aquaculture animals 9;

a float device 10 connected to said at least one breeding enclosure 5;

a link 13 of said at least one breeding enclosure 5 to the frame 3.

The frame 3 is intended to be placed in the seabed. Typically, it rests on the bottom 15 of the sea. It is fixed relative to the seabed 15.

In the first embodiment, the frame 3 comprises a plurality of metal bars 17 parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other at least horizontally.

For example, the metal bars 17 are placed at the same distance from the bottom

15.

The frame 3 comprises for example pigs 19 resting on the seabed 15, supporting rigid posts 21 which are rigidly fixed metal bars 17. The metal bars 17 are regularly spaced from each other in a direction which is horizontal in the figure 1.

In the first embodiment, the breeding device comprises a plurality of breeding enclosures 5, each disposed between two metal bars 17.

Each breeding chamber 5 has a lower bottom 23, substantially flat.

It preferably has a substantially flat upper bottom 25, parallel and opposite the lower bottom 23.

The lower and upper bottoms 23, 25 have between them a determined spacing. This spacing is taken in a direction substantially perpendicular to the two funds.

The lower and upper bottoms 23, 25 each also have a length and a width greater than three times said spacing. The length is taken along a direction contained in the plane in which the upper or lower bottom is inscribed. The width is taken in a direction contained in said plane and perpendicular to the length.

Preferably, the length and the width are greater than five times the spacing, more preferably greater than ten times the spacing.

Thus, the breeding enclosure has a generally flat shape, and has a large surface compared to its thickness. It thus has the general shape of a pouch typically used for oyster farming.

For example, the breeding chamber has a length of the order of 1 meter, a width of about 500 mm, and a height of about 50 mm. As can be seen in FIGS. 4 to 6, the rearing enclosure preferably comprises two half-chambers 27, one defining the lower bottom 23 and the other the upper bottom 25.

The two half-enclosures together define the volume 7 for receiving aquaculture animals.

They are fixed removably to one another by means which will be described later.

Advantageously, the two half-speakers 27 are identical to each other.

They are preferably made of a plastic material, for example polypropylene.

They are typically obtained by injection of the plastic material. The fact that the two half-speakers are identical to one another makes it possible to manufacture the two half-enclosures with the same mold, and therefore allows a particularly economical manufacturing.

The half-chambers 27 have a generally concave shape. The concavities of the two half-chambers are turned towards each other when they are fixed to one another to constitute the breeding enclosure.

Each half-enclosure 27 comprises a substantially flat portion 29 defining the upper bottom or the bottom as appropriate, an annular flat edge 31 surrounding the flat portion 29, and a closed contour wall 33 connecting the flat portion 29 to the flat edge 31 (Figures 5 and 6). The closed contour wall 33 connects an outer edge of the flat portion 29 to an inner edge of the flat edge 31. In other words, the flat edge 31 forms a flange, extending outwardly from the wall 33.

The flat edge 31 is in a plane parallel to the flat portion 29, defining the plane of contact between the two half-speakers when they are assembled to form the breeding chamber.

The flat portion 29 and the side wall 33 are pierced by multiple unreferenced openings, small enough so that the aquaculture animals can not escape from the breeding enclosure, but large enough to allow a circulation of the water between the inside and the outside of the breeding enclosure.

The flat portion 31 and the side wall 33 are reinforced by ribs 34.

Advantageously, the two half-enclosures 27 are nestable one inside the other. This makes it possible to stack a large number of half-speakers and to store them in a reduced volume.

To do this, the side wall 33 is flared, and diverges from the flat portion 29 to the flat edge 31. In the example shown, the flat portion 29 is rectangular, and the flat edge 31 is delimited by a rectangular outer edge and an inner edge also rectangular.

Alternatively, the flat portion 29 and the flat edge 31 have any suitable shape: square, circular, oval etc.

Preferably, the two half-chambers 27 are fixed to one another by locking members, typically pins 36 shown in FIG. 14. To do this, the flat edge 31 has slots 35 distributed at least two opposite sides of the flat portion 29. The slots 35 are provided to receive the pins. To constitute the breeding enclosure 5, the two half-enclosures 27 are placed with their respective edges 31 against each other. The slots 35 of the two half-chambers are then in coincidence and it is possible to engage the locking members.

In order to reinforce the attachment of the two half-enclosures 27 to each other, each half-enclosure comprises hooks 37 (FIG. 7) and hook-receiving orifices 39 of the other half-enclosure (FIG. ).

The orifices 39 are cut in the flat edge 31. They are distributed along at least two opposite sides of the flat part 29, for example the sides that do not bear the slots 35. The hooks 37 are carried by the flat edge 31 and protrude away from the part plane 29 with respect to the flat edge 31.

As can be seen in FIG. 7, they have a generally L-shaped shape, with a section 39 oriented substantially perpendicular to the flat edge 31, extended by a terminal section 41 extending in a direction substantially parallel to the flat edge 31.

The terminal sections 41 of all the tabs 37 point in the same direction.

The hooks 37 of each half-chamber are provided to be engaged in the orifices 39 of the other half-chamber in a movement substantially perpendicular to the flat portions 29 of the two half-chambers. They are then engaged around the edges of said orifices 39 by a translation movement of one of the half-chambers with respect to the other half-enclosure in a longitudinal direction.

At the end of this movement, the flat edge 31 of each half-enclosure 27 is clamped between the terminal sections 41 and the flat edge 31 of the other half-enclosure 27. The hooks 37 can no longer be disengaged from the orifices 39 by a movement perpendicular to the flat portions 29 of the half-enclosures.

At the end of this translation movement, the slots 35 of the two half-chambers are in coincidence with each other. The locking members can then be inserted into these slots and thus block any possibility of translation of the two half pregnant, at least in the longitudinal direction, and typically in all directions, these being then firmly secured by the hooks.

In order to further strengthen the connection between the two half-enclosures, additional hooks 43 are provided on a segment 45 of the transversely extending flat edge (Figures 5 and 8). These additional hooks 43 have a general shape substantially identical to that of the hooks 37. The additional hooks 43 are borne by the outer edge of the flat flange 31. Their end sections point longitudinally, in the same direction as the end sections 41 of the hooks 37. The transverse segment 47 of the flat edge 31, located opposite the transverse segment 45, has on its outer edge notches 49. When both half-speakers 27 are assembled to one another as described above, namely a first movement perpendicular to the plane portions 29 and a second longitudinal movement, the additional tabs 43 of each half-chamber are engaged in the notches 49 of the other half-enclosure and fit around the transverse segment 47 of the other half-enclosure. The flat edge 31 of each half-enclosure 27 is thus clamped between the additional tabs 43 and the flat edge 31 of the other half-enclosure 27.

Thus, the two half-speakers 27 are connected to each other by a particularly strong connection. The rigidity of the breeding enclosure is increased. This is due in particular to the existence of a large number of attachment points of the two half-enclosures 27 to one another, distributed around the upper and lower bottoms.

The link 13 allows rotation of the corresponding breeding chamber 5 relative to the frame 3 around at least one axis of substantially horizontal rotation.

Preferably, the connection 13 allows a rotation of each breeding chamber 5 around a first substantially horizontal axis of rotation R1, and a rotation of the first axis of rotation R1 relative to the frame 3 about a second axis of rotation. R2 substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation R1 (Figures 1 to 3).

More specifically, the link 13 advantageously comprises at least one connecting member 51 of the connecting rod type pivotally mounted on the breeding enclosure 5 around the first axis of rotation R1 and pivotally mounted on the frame 3 around the second axis of rotation R2. .

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the link 13 typically comprises two linking members of the connecting rod type 51 for each breeding enclosure, each connecting member 51 linking the breeding enclosure 5 to the chassis. The first axes of rotation R1 of the two connecting members of the same breeding chamber are aligned with each other. Similarly, the second axes of rotation R2 of the two connecting members 51 of the same enclosure 5 are aligned with each other. The breeding chamber 5 has a proximal edge 55 and a distal edge 57 opposite one another, facing the two metal bars flanking the breeding chamber 5.

In the example shown, the proximal edge and the distal edge are longitudinal. These edges 55, 57 are constituted by segments of the flat flanges 31 of the two half-speakers pressed against each other.

The link 13 links the proximal edge 55 to the frame 3.

More specifically, each connecting member 51 links the proximal edge 55 to the metal bar 17 adjacent to said proximal edge.

As can be seen in FIGS. 4, 12 and 13, the link 13 comprises, for each connecting member 51, a sleeve 53 fixed to the metal bar 17 adjacent to the proximal edge 55 of the breeding enclosure 5. The organ link 51 is pivotally mounted around the sleeve 53. The metal bar 17 thus constitutes the second axis of rotation R2.

This sleeve 53 completely surrounds the metal bar 17. For example, it consists of two half-shells of generally semi-cylindrical shape, placed on both sides of the metal bar 17. The two half-shells are rigidly fixed to one another by any suitable means, for example by pins. The sleeve 53 is typically made of polyolefin. This reduces the wear of the connecting member 51, which is not in direct contact with the metal bar.

As can be seen in FIGS. 9 to 13, each connecting member 51 advantageously comprises two half-clips 59 that are independent of one another. The two half-grippers 59 together define two bearings 61, 63, substantially parallel to each other. The bearing 61 is intended to internally receive the sleeve 53. The bearing 63 is intended to receive internally a cylinder 65 formed on the proximal edge 55 of the breeding chamber.

Each half-gripper 59 therefore has the general shape of a W, with three solid masses

67, 69 and 71 delimiting between them two recesses 73 and 75. The recesses 73 and 75 have semicylindrical shapes. When the two half-pliers are assembled to one another, the recesses 73 of the two half-pliers constitute the bearing 61, and the recesses 75 of the half-pliers constitute the bearing 63.

The two half-clips 59 are likely to be mounted on the breeding enclosure

5 in a stable open position, shown in Figure 1 1, wherein the half-grippers 59 are connected to each other by a pivot connection 77.

The axis of rotation of the pivot is substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation. To allow the establishment of the two half-clips, the proximal edge 55 of the rack has two orifices 78 along the cylinder 65. These orifices are offset towards the inside of the chamber with respect to the cylinder 65. The pivot connection 77 comprises two plates 79, parallel to each other, formed on the frame 71 of one of the half-clips (Figures 5 and 9). Each plate 79 carries pins 81 on its two opposite faces. The four pins 81 are aligned.

The collar 71 of the other half-gripper forms two pairs of flanges 83, each pair of flanges being provided to receive between its two flanges one of the plates 79. Cradles for receiving the journals 81 (not shown) are hollowed out in the faces vis-à-vis the two flanges of the same pair.

The half-clips 59 are first mounted on the enclosure 5 as illustrated in FIG.

It can be seen that the plates 79 are each engaged in one of the orifices 78. They are engaged between the flanges 83 of the other half-gripper 59. The half-grippers form an angle of about 90.degree. 'other. The rotation of the two half-clips relative to each other in the direction of an opening of the clamp is blocked by reliefs formed on the half-clips 59. On the other hand, the two half-clips 59 are free to pivot relative to each other around the pivot connection 77 in the direction of a closure. It should be noted that the cradles formed in the flanges 83 are provided so that the engagement of the journals 81 is easy, but that the extraction of the journals 81 outside the cradles requires a significant effort, so as to avoid that the two half tongs separate from each other unintentionally.

From the position of FIG. 10, the half-grippers 59 can pivot about pivot connection 77 to the stable open position, shown in FIG. Each half-gripper 59 comprises an arm 84, bearing at its end a relief 84R. In the open position, the relief 84R of each half-gripper is reversibly wedged in a housing 84M of the other half-gripper. This makes it possible to keep the half-clips 59 in the open position, without preventing the rotational movement of the half-clips towards each other to be prolonged.

Thus, from the stable open position (Figure 1 1), the two half-clips can be closed around the frame 3 by pivoting around the pivot connection 77 (Figure 12). The arms 84 slide in the housing 84M.

The recesses 75 are then put in place around the cylinder 65, and the recesses 73 around the sleeve 53. In this position, the intermediate massifs 69 of the two half-clips 59 are in abutment against each other, and the masses 67 of the two half-clips 59 are also in abutment against each other. The two half-clips 59 are locked in this position by pins G shown in FIG. 13, engaged in aligned orifices O of the two half-clips 59. It is thus clear that the assembly of the connecting member 51 is particularly simple. It allows easy installation of the breeding enclosure 5 on the frame 3.

The breeding enclosure 5 preferably comprises at least one abutment zone 85 (FIG. 14), cooperating with the linking member 51 so as to limit the rotational clearance of the breeding enclosure 5 with respect to the connecting member 51 about the first axis of rotation R1.

Typically, the breeding chamber 5 comprises two abutment zones 85, limiting the rotational movement of the breeding chamber 5 with respect to the connecting member 51 in the two opposite directions of rotation.

These zones 85 are reinforced because they comprise a greater number of ribs 34 than the other zones of the enclosure 5, so as to stiffen the structure of the breeding enclosure 5 at said zones 85.

For example, these zones 85 are the zones of the peripheral wall 33 located opposite each connecting member. The zone 85 formed on the peripheral wall 33 of one of the half-bins limits the rotation in one direction, and that formed on the wall 33 of the other half-bin limits the rotation in the other direction. These stops thus provide a shock effect at the end of the race favoring the detachment and movement of aquaculture animals on the plateau.

Furthermore, the breeding device 1 advantageously comprises a limiter device 86 limiting the movement of the breeding enclosure 5 in rotation with respect to the frame 3 in the vertical direction (FIG. 4), downwards and / or towards the top.

The limiter device 86 comprises at least one flexible link 87 which links the frame 3 to the breeding enclosure 5.

Preferably, the or each flexible link 87 is elastic. This makes it possible to dampen the movement of the breeding enclosure in the vertical direction.

Typically, each breeding chamber 5 is linked by two flexible links 87 to the frame 3.

Preferably, each flexible link 87 links the distal edge 57 of the breeding chamber 5 to the frame 3. More specifically, the link 87 links the distal edge 57 to the metal bar 17 located opposite the connecting members 51. . Thus, the breeding chamber is linked on one side by the connecting members 51 to one of the metal bars 17, and on the other side by the flexible links 87 to the other metal bar 17.

As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 4 and 5, the distal edge 57 has orifices 89 allowing passage and fixation of one end of the flexible link 87.

Typically, the ends of the flexible link 87 are attached to the sleeve 53 on which is articulated the surrounding breeding chamber 5. As illustrated in Figure 4, the ends of the flexible link 87 are wound around the sleeve, in grooves 90 formed by the sleeve 53.

The sleeves 53 may further include notches 88, visible in Figure 12, for hanging the flexible link to the sleeve.

It should be noted that the orifices 89 are identical and positioned in the same way as the orifices 78.

More generally, it will be noted that each half-rack is symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal median plane, perpendicular to the flat part 29.

It is thus possible to mount the breeding enclosures in any direction. In the first embodiment, each breeding chamber 5 is equipped with its own float 1 1, which constitutes the float device 10.

The float device 10 is connected by a flexible link 95 to the breeding enclosure 5. The flexible link 95 is of any suitable type. The flexible connection 95 comprises for example one or more cables, each connecting the float to the enclosure. Alternatively, it includes ropes, ropes, chains, or any other type of flexible link.

Typically, the flexible connection 95 connects the float device 10 to the distal edge 57 of the upper rearing chamber, or to a zone of the rearing chamber 5 located near the distal edge 57.

The length of the flexible connection 95 is chosen such that the float device 10, when the flexible connection is stretched, is in the tidal zone, that is to say at a level between the water level. at low tide (MB in Figure 1) and the water level at high tide (MH in Figure 1). In other words, the length of the flexible link is chosen so that, at least for a moment during the tidal cycle, the float device 10 floats on the surface of the water with the flexible link 95 stretched, such so that the movements of the water due to the tide and / or the waves are transmitted by the float device 10 and the flexible link 95 to the upper breeding chamber.

The float device 10 is sized to float the enclosure containing the aquaculture animals until the end of breeding, that is to say when these animals have their maximum weight. The float device 10 can also be adapted as and when rearing, for example by adding buoyancy as the mass of aquaculture animals in the enclosure increases.

The operation of the rearing device will now be detailed, more particularly with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

The rearing device is designed to transmit wave movements to rearing enclosures, and to drive aquaculture animals down a distance important by rolling them on the inner surface of the enclosure and against each other, especially at the time of descending and rising tides.

In Figure 1, the breeding device 1 is shown when the water level is such that the float devices 10 float on the surface of the water with the flexible links 95 stretched.

The inner bottom 23 of each enclosure 5 is substantially horizontal.

The two axes of rotation R1, R2 are substantially in a horizontal plane.

The flexible links 87 are not tense.

When the float device 10 is in a hollow between two waves, as shown in Figure 3, the vertical level of the float device 10 is lowered.

The breeding chamber 5 adopts an inclined position, the proximal edge 55 linked by the link 13 to the frame 3 remaining higher and the distal edge 57 being lower. The link 13 allows the pivoting of the breeding chamber 5 around the two axes of rotation R1 and R2.

Because of the inclination, in particular because the lower bottom 23 is inclined relative to the horizontal, the farm animals 9 will roll on the inner bottom 23 and will roll against each other by accumulating towards the the distal edge 57 of the breeding enclosure.

Because the link 13 has two rotational degrees of freedom, the downward pivoting movement of the breeding enclosure 5 (arrow F1 of FIG. 3) is accompanied by a horizontal general orientation movement of the enclosure 5, represented by the arrow F2 of FIG. 3. This horizontal general movement creates a shearing force at the contact between the aquaculture animals and the breeding enclosure, which amplifies the circulation of the animals of breeding and allows them to go down and roll even with low inclinations. This shearing effort, when repeated, eventually allows the release of farm animals that would be hooked to the breeding enclosure.

Thus, the link 13 makes it possible to transform the vertical movement of the water, due to the waves, into a movement of stirring both vertical and horizontal which, associated with the inclination of the breeding enclosure 5, allows the Aquaculture animals to hurtle down the mesh plan of the enclosure while rolling on this mesh against each other.

Moreover, the connecting members 51 at the end of stroke abut against the abutment zones 85 of the breeding chamber, which further enhances the shearing effect.

This favors the detachment of farm animals, especially oysters that could have reacted by nacration between two periods of agitation. The limiter device 86 makes it possible to limit the vertical amplitude of the movement, which enables the farmer to adapt the system to the hydraulic conditions prevailing in the rearing area and to the seasonality of his breeding.

It should be noted that the breeding chamber 5 is driven by movements opposite to those shown by the arrows F1 and F2 when the enclosure returns from its lower position illustrated in FIG. 3 to the intermediate position illustrated in FIG.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, when the float device 10 is located at the top of a wave, the breeding chamber 5 adopts an inclination opposite to that illustrated in FIG. 3. The distal edge 57 is higher than the metal bar 17, so that the aquaculture animals 9 run down the lower bottom 23 towards the proximal edge 55. The breeding enclosure is pivoted relative to the metal bar 17, indicated by the arrow F3 of FIG. Figure 2. This pivoting is performed upwards. With respect to the position of FIG. 1, the rearing enclosure 5 is also displaced in a horizontal general direction, indicated by the arrow F4 of FIG. 2. Again, a shearing force is created between the animals. aquaculture and breeding enclosure, which promotes the movement and turnover of livestock 9 within the breeding enclosure 5.

The connecting members 51 at the end of the stroke abut against the abutment zones 85 provided for this purpose on the breeding enclosure 5. The limiting device 86 limits the vertical travel upwardly of the breeding enclosure 5 by compared to the chassis 3.

The breeding enclosure 5 is animated with movements opposite those represented by the arrows F3 and F4 when it returns from its extreme high position shown in FIG. 2 to the intermediate position shown in FIG.

When the tide is high, as illustrated in Figure 17 for another embodiment, the float device 10 is fully submerged, and is at a distance below the water level. The flexible link 95 is stretched. The breeding enclosure 5 occupies its extreme high position. This position is defined by the limiter device 86.

In the embodiment described above, this position is defined by the length of the or flexible links 87, which are stretched too.

When the tide is low, as illustrated in Figure 18 for another embodiment, the breeding chamber 5 is in its extreme low position, defined by the limiting device 86.

In the embodiment described above, this position is defined by the length of the flexible link or links 87. The float device 10 floats on the surface of the water. The flexible link 95 is not tight. The level of implantation of the float device 10 with respect to the height of the tide, that is to say at the height of the water at high tide and at the height of the water at low tide, makes it possible to choose the operating conditions of the system.

Indeed, the tidal range is characterized by two parameters: its amplitude, variable from one day to another (for example in France the strong tides alternate with the low tides on a periodicity of 15 days) and the speed of rise and descending the water which for example follows the rule of twelfths, which means that at the beginning or end of the ebb tide or rising the speed of ascent and descent is three times slower than mid-tide. Consequently, according to the altimetric implantation of the float device with respect to the tidal range, it will be possible to obtain in the upper edge of low amplitude tidal waves a daily stirring over a long period of time, or to obtain in the lower edge of the high tidal range a stirring. little to very infrequent for a long time, or to obtain in the mediating space of the marnage more or less frequent agitation of shorter duration.

It should be noted that the limiter device 86 also makes it possible to regulate the amplitude and the stirring duration of the aquaculture animals, in order to regulate the desired effect on the animals in breeding. In fact, the breeding enclosures 5 are agitated only during a limited period of the tide. They are agitated between the moment when the height of the crest of the waves is sufficient so that the breeding enclosures are raised from their low extreme positions (represented on figure 3), and the moment when the height of the hollow of the waves is such that the rearing enclosures are locked in extreme high position (shown in Figure 2). These extreme high and low positions are determined by the limiter device 86. The greater the vertical amplitude of the movement of the rearing chambers, the greater the stirring time and the greater the agitation.

An advantageous aspect of the first embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 15. As described above, the frame 3 comprises a plurality of metal bars 17, parallel to one another and regularly spaced apart from each other. The metal bars 17 are for example fixed to metal sleepers 90. Each breeding chamber is disposed between two metal bars 17. Its proximal edge 55 is connected by the link 13 to one of the metal bars 17, and its distal edge 57 is bound by one or more flexible links 87 to the other metal bar 17. The neighboring breeding chamber 5 is mounted in the same way. More precisely, the distal edge 55 of the neighboring breeding enclosure 5 is linked by the link 13 to the metal bar 17 to which the first breeding enclosure is connected by the flexible link or links 87. each metal bar 17 is linked on one side by a link 13 to a breeding chamber 5, and on the other side by flexible links 87 to another breeding chamber.

Thus, a continuous line of breeding enclosures 5 is formed. The breeding enclosures 5 can be turned over very easily to fight against fouling. Indeed, it is known that algae grow more easily on the faces of rearing enclosures that are turned upward, that is to say exposed to the sun. In addition, ascidians develop on the face of the breeding enclosure which is in the shade, that is to say turned down.

To return the breeding enclosures of the device of the invention, simply untie the links 87 linking each breeding chamber to the corresponding metal bar 17. The breeding chamber 5 can then be pivoted around the other metal bar, to which it is bound by the link 13. Then, the distal edge of the enclosure is linked to a new metal bar 17, by the elastic ties that remained in place.

A second rearing device will now be described, with reference to Figures 16 to 19. Only the points by which the second rearing device is different from the rearing device of Figures 1 to 15 will be detailed below.

In the second rearing device, all the rearing enclosures 5 of the rearing device 1 are connected to the same float device 10.

The breeding enclosures 5 are superimposed one above the other.

They are each linked to the chassis 3 by their connection 13.

As described above, the connection 13 of each breeding chamber 5 to the frame 3 allows a rotation of the breeding chamber 5 relative to the frame 3 about at least one substantially horizontal axis of rotation.

Advantageously, the frame 3 comprises several metal bars 17 parallel to each other, spaced apart from each other at least vertically.

For example, the frame 3 comprises a parallelepipedic structure. This structure comprises four vertical posts 91, these posts being preferably secured to each other by an upper frame 93 and a lower frame 94. The metal bars 17 are rigidly fixed by their end opposite two of the posts 91, and are superimposed following the vertical direction. The metal bars 17 are thus disposed on a large face of the parallelepiped.

A breeding enclosure 5 is connected to each metal bar 17.

The metal bars 17 are regularly spaced from each other in the vertical direction.

The breeding enclosures 5 are placed inside the frame, and debate between the posts 91. According to an exemplary embodiment, the float device 10 comprises a single float 1 1.

As described above, the flexible connection 95 linking the float device 10 to said at least one breeding chamber 5 has a length chosen so that the float device 10, when the flexible link 95 is stretched vertically, is in the zone of tidal range, that is to say at a level between the water level at low tide and the water level at high tide.

Moreover, the breeding enclosures 5 are directly connected to each other by intermediate links 97.

Intermediate links 97 are configured to convert vertical motions of float device 10 due to swell into oscillating motion of breeding enclosures 5 relative to frame 3 about their axes of rotation.

According to the alternative embodiment shown in Figures 16 to 18, the float device 10 is connected by a flexible connection 95 to the upper breeding chamber 5, located highest in the stack of breeding enclosures.

Intermediate links 97, typically cables or cables, connect each breeding chamber 5 to the breeding enclosure located immediately above and / or to the breeding chamber located immediately below in the stack .

Typically, the flexible link 95 connects the float device 10 to the distal edge 57 of the upper rearing chamber. The intermediate link (s) 97 connect the distal edges of the different breeding enclosures to one another.

The chassis 3 rests on the bottom 15. It is for example mounted on a pile stuck in the bottom 15.

Intermediate links 97 are chosen in such lengths that, when the upper enclosure pivots upward, it drives the enclosure immediately below it, which itself drives the next lower enclosure etc.

Typically, the length of the intermediate links 97 is chosen equal to the vertical spacing between the metal bars 17.

In the example shown, the float device 10 is connected to the upper housing by two cables. Each breeding chamber is connected to the enclosure immediately above and / or the enclosure immediately below by two intermediate links 97.

Furthermore, the limiter device 86 links one of the breeding enclosures 5 to the frame 3, limiting the movement of the breeding enclosure 5 in rotation downwards.

It comprises at least one flexible link 99 linking the upper breeding chamber 5 to the frame and limiting the stroke of said enclosure downwards. In the example shown, the limiter device 86 comprises two flexible links 99 linking the upper enclosure to the chassis.

The limiter device 86 links one of the breeding enclosures 5 to the frame 3, limiting the movement of the breeding enclosures 5 in rotation upwards.

For this purpose, the limiter device 86 comprises at least one flexible link 101 linking the lower enclosure 5 located at the bottom of the stack of enclosures to the chassis and limiting the travel of the lower enclosure upwards. In the example shown, the limiter device 86 comprises two flexible links 101 linking the lower enclosure to the chassis.

It should be noted that the flexible links 101 may not be mounted on the lower enclosure 101 but be mounted on any other speaker of the stack.

The operation of the breeding device according to the second embodiment will now be described.

When the tide is high, as shown in Figure 17, the float device 10 is fully submerged, and is at a distance below the water level. The flexible link 95 is stretched. The rearing enclosures 5 occupy their extreme high positions. This position is defined by the limiter device 86.

In the embodiment described above, this position is defined by the length of the flexible links 101, which are stretched too. The float device 10 urges the upper breeding enclosure 5 upwards, this load being transmitted by each rearing enclosure 5 to the immediately lower rearing enclosure through the intermediate links 97.

When the sea is at an intermediate level between high tide and low tide, depending on the length of the flexible link 95, one meets the situation illustrated in Figure 16. The float device 10 floats on the surface of the water , the flexible connection 95 being stretched. The vertical displacement of the water created by the waves causes a vertical displacement of the float device 10. When the float device 10 moves upwards, it drives through the flexible link 95 the upper breeding chamber 5, which itself drives up through the intermediate links 97 the speakers below.

This upward vertical movement is limited, if necessary, by the limiter device 86. In the embodiment described above, the upward movement is limited by the flexible links 101.

When the water level drops, the float device 10 is driven down. This gives slack to the flexible connection 95, and the speakers 5 are driven down by their own weight. The downward movement of the upper enclosure 5 is limited if necessary by the limiter device 86. In the embodiment described more up, the downward movement is limited by the flexible link (s) 99. The downward movement of each breeding enclosure 5 with respect to the upper enclosure is limited by the length of the intermediate links 97.

When the tide is low, the rearing device is in the situation illustrated in FIG. 18. The breeding enclosures 5 are in their extreme low position, defined by the limiter device 86.

In the embodiment described above, this position is defined by the length of the flexible links 99 and the length of the various intermediate links 97. The float device 10 floats on the surface of the water. The flexible link 95 is not tight.

According to an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 22, the intermediate links 97 comprise a rigid member 1 17 and articulations January 19 of the breeding enclosures 5 to the rigid member 1 17.

The joints 1 19 are configured to allow the speakers 5 to pivot relative to the rigid member 1 17.

The rigid member 1 17 is unique and common to all intermediate links 97. In other words, it allows to link all the breeding enclosures 5 to each other.

This rigid member 1 17 is for example a bar or a tube substantially perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the breeding enclosure.

At rest, the rigid member 1 17 is substantially vertical.

The joints 1 19 are single-piece parts, typically made of plastic. They each comprise a pivoting connection 121 to the corresponding breeding chamber 5, and a rigid connection 123 to the rigid member 1 17.

The pivot connection 121 consists of two half-rings 125 intended to fit around the cylinder 65 formed on the distal edge 57 of the breeding enclosure 5. The half-rings 125 are offset along the cylinder 65. They constitute together a bearing allowing a pivoting of the articulation 1 19 with respect to the breeding enclosure 5.

The rigid link 123 comprises two flanges 129 placed on either side of the rigid member 1 17. A horizontal pin 131 is received in a through hole of the rigid member 1 17. It tightens the flanges 129 against the rigid member 1 17, of such that the rigid member 1 17 is rigidly fixed to the hinge 1 19. For example, an additional interlocking mortise and tenon is provided between the flanges 129 and the rigid member 1 17, so as to avoid any relative movement between the two pieces.

Alternatively, the rigid member 1 17 is pivotally mounted about the pin 131 relative to the hinge 1 19. In the present variant embodiment, the float device 10 is not necessarily linked to the upper housing.

Furthermore, the limiter device 86 can cooperate with any breeding enclosure 5 to limit the movement of the breeding enclosures in rotation upwards and / or downwards. It comprises for example at least one flexible link that can be linked to any breeding enclosure 5. This or these flexible links can limit the movement of rotating breeding enclosures both upwards and downwards. low.

Alternatively, the intermediate links 97 comprise a plurality of rigid members, each rigid member binding several breeding enclosures 5 to each other. Each rigid member is for example of the type described above, and is connected to the corresponding speakers by joints of the type described above.

According to another variant, the intermediate links 97 are rigid spacers, which pivot for example around the axes located on the distal edge of the breeding enclosures.

In some cases, a rigid connection may be a cohesion factor of the movement promoting an even stirring of all the breeding enclosures. Indeed, a flexible connection could, in case of high-frequency agitation (choppy), promote, following the inertia of all the breeding enclosures, the agitation of the higher rearing enclosures with the consequence of too much agitation of farm animals in the upper chambers versus insufficient agitation of farm animals in the lower chambers.

According to a non-preferred variant, some intermediate links 97 are rigid and others flexible.

The invention can also be applied with rearing devices arranged on the foreshore, when it is desired to set up a superposition of enclosures and / or work with the same level of tide on the entire surface of the foreshore. This allows the farmer to make zootechnical choices: stirring frequency, range of motion, stirring time.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, several devices according to the second embodiment may be arranged on the foreshore at different depth levels, the float devices 10 of the different devices being set to be placed at the same level. Thus, the flexible links 95 of the different devices are of variable lengths, as illustrated in FIG. 19. These lengths are chosen so that the respective flexible links of the different devices are stretched for substantially the same water level. Alternatively, the devices arranged on the foreshore at different depth levels are according to the first embodiment, the float devices 10 of the different devices being set to be placed substantially at the same level.

It should be noted that, in the first and second embodiments of the invention, each breeding enclosure is alternatively equipped with its own float 103, in addition to the float device 10. Such a situation is illustrated in FIG. The floats 103 are for example arranged in the enclosures 5. They are sized to compensate at least partially the mass of aquaculture animals at the end of breeding. This makes it possible to limit the buoyancy of the float device 10 necessary for the movement, and therefore the forces transmitted by the float device 10 implanted in the tidal range in the event of a storm, for example. This aspect is very important because the cumulative effect of the floats according to their number, their arrangement and their volume, leaves the breeder the possibility to definitively determine the ideal fitting perfectly adapted to its deep water site, knowing that the hydrodynamic conditions are invariable, while taking into account the stormy risks, and thus allowing him to obtain in a constant and regular way the quality of product he has chosen.

According to another alternative embodiment applicable to the first and second embodiments, the float device 10 comprises not a single float but a string of floats 105. Such an arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 20. This garland 105 comprises a plurality of floats 107 mounted one behind the other along a flexible link 109, a lower end of which is secured to the flexible link 95.

Advantageously, the volume, and therefore the buoyancy, of the floats 107 increases from the upper end to the lower end of the flexible link 109.

Such an arrangement allows a gradual action, softer and longer in the range of tidal choice.

This variant can be combined with the previous one (float 103 specific to each enclosure in addition to the float device 10).

According to a variant applicable to all embodiments, the connection 13 is not mounted on the proximal edge of each breeding chamber 5. If we consider the median plane of the breeding chamber 5, perpendicular to the bottom bottom and parallel to the axes of rotation R1 and R2, the link 13 can link any point located on one side of this median plane to the frame 3. The float device 10 is preferably connected to any point situated on the other side of the median plane .

Similarly, the flexible links can be linked to any point of the enclosure located on the side of the median plane opposite the link 13. The invention has been described for a device in which the breeding enclosures 5 are connected to the frame by connecting rod-type connecting members, creating a shearing force between the aquaculture animals and the enclosure under the effect of the vertical movement of the speakers. However, the invention is also applicable to breeding enclosures linked to the frame by simple pivoting connections around a single axis of rotation, as described in FR2576484, or to pivoting tray systems on which the speakers are placed. breeding, or cage systems containing many enclosures, said cages being pivotable about an axis so as to ensure a movement of the speakers similar to that described above.

Another variant embodiment will now be described, with reference to FIG. It is applicable to all the embodiments described above.

In this embodiment, the frame 3 does not rest directly on the seabed 15. The frame 3 is located a little above the seabed 15. It is mounted for example on a supporting structure 1 1 1, which is firmly fixed on the seabed 15.

The supporting structure 1 1 1 is of any suitable type: table, gantry, ...

It is rigidly fixed on the seabed, or on the contrary is only weighted so as to remain in place because of its own weight.

The carrier structure 1 1 1 carries one or more breeding devices 1. Each frame 3 is mounted on the supporting structure 1 1 1 by any suitable means: rigid metal bars 1 13, direct welds, flexible metal cables, etc.

The invention also relates to aquaculture at sea aquaculture animals, the method comprising a step of implantation at sea of at least one breeding device of the type described above.

The frame 3 is placed in the seabed. The length of the flexible link 95 is chosen so that the float 1 1, when the flexible link 95 is stretched vertically, is in the tidal zone.

Advantageously, several devices as described above are implanted at sea in the implantation step. The frames 3 of said devices are placed on the foreshore at different respective levels. The lengths of the flexible links 95 of said rearing devices are chosen so that, when said flexible links 95 are stretched vertically, the float devices 10 of the rearing devices are substantially at the same level.

According to an alternative embodiment, the limiter device 86 comprises fixed stops replacing or in addition to the flexible links 87, 99, 101.

These fixed stops are rigidly fixed to the frame 3. Some stops limit the stroke of the or each breeding chamber 5 relative to the frame 3 upwards, and other stops limit the stroke of the or each breeding chamber 5 relative to the frame 3 down.

In the second embodiment, the stops are advantageously metal bars rigidly fixed to the frame, above and below the stack of breeding enclosures.

Such an arrangement is particularly well suited to the embodiment where the breeding enclosures are fixed on pivoting trays linked to the frame.

It should be noted that the combination of four complementary technical aspects makes it possible to obtain particularly interesting results. These four aspects help to transfer shearing motion very effectively to aquaculture animals, which allows them to be rolled over a surface and against each other so as to achieve growth limitation by sequential breakage of the lace. concretizing by a fat fattening, a cleanliness and an irreproachable shell shape.

These four technical aspects are as follows.

1. The use of an enclosure with a large and flat surface for breeding aquaculture animals.

2. The use of a float device directly or indirectly connected to the enclosure which follows the sea level when the tide is at the float device, transferring to the enclosure a variation of inclination from top to bottom and from the bottom up when the sea rises and falls, so that aquaculture animals run down the breeding area; the enclosure, where appropriate, also follows the wave movement of the waves, thus multiplying the previous movement and, where appropriate, when the enclosure itself emerges, creating, thanks to its lower surface thus disposed at the air / water interface undergoing the effect of the wave striking the underside of the enclosure, a washing effect by water squirting overpressure through the mesh of the enclosure (wave blowing effect well known in the rocky caverns by the sea ). This effect is particularly strong when the enclosure has a wide and flat bottom surface, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

3. The use of a fixation being fixed on two axes, one on the speaker and the other on the support of the enclosure, thus forming a connecting rod which converts the upward / downward movement created by the device float in a shearing movement favoring, thanks to their inertia, the movement of aquaculture animals on the flat surface of the enclosure; this favors the separation of aquaculture animals reassembled on the enclosure by nacration during the tide periods without agitation of the enclosures. 4. The use of a limiter device to limit the vertical amplitude of the upward / downward movement due to the float device to limit the preceding effects according to zootechnical needs.

There is a synergy between these technical aspects, allowing to achieve particularly good results.

However, it is not necessary to jointly implement these four technical aspects. The present patent application protects the implementation of aspect 2. for enclosures that can be immersed in deep water, insofar as the float device is disposed in the tidal zone.

This makes it possible to exploit areas for breeding which can not be used with rearing enclosures of the state of the art, while obtaining very good results for the agitation of aquaculture animals. Implementation of the aspects 1. and / or 3. and / or 4. in addition to aspect 2., further improves the results.

A parallel request protects aspects 2 and 3. used together

Another parallel patent application protects the joint implementation of aspects 2 and 4.

Claims

1. - Device for rearing aquaculture animals at sea, the device (1) comprising:

a frame (3) intended to be placed at the bottom (15) of the sea;

- At least one breeding chamber (5) internally defining a receiving volume (7) for aquaculture animals (9);

a connection (13) of said at least one breeding enclosure (5) to the frame (3), allowing a rotation of said at least one breeding chamber (5) with respect to the frame (3) around to less than a substantially horizontal axis of rotation;

a float device (10) connected to said at least one breeding chamber (5) by a flexible link (95) of length chosen so that the float device (10), when the flexible link (95) is stretched vertically, is in the tidal zone.

in which the rearing device (1) comprises several rearing enclosures (5) situated one above the other, each linked to the frame (3) by a connection (13) allowing a rotation of said rearing chamber (5) relative to the frame (3) around at least one substantially horizontal axis of rotation, all the breeding enclosures (5) being connected to the same float device (10),

and wherein the rearing chambers (5) are directly connected to one another via intermediate links (97)

2. - Device according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate links (97) are configured to convert vertical movements of the float device (10) due to swell oscillation movement breeding enclosures (5) relative to the chassis (3) around their axes of rotation.

3.- Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the intermediate links

(97) comprise a rigid member (1 17) and joints (1 19) of the breeding enclosures (5) to the rigid member (1 17).

4. - Device according to claim 3, wherein the joints (1 19) are configured to allow pivoting of the breeding chamber (5) relative to the rigid member (1 17).

5. - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a limiter device (86) links one of the breeding enclosures (5) to the frame (3), limiting the movement of the breeding enclosures ( 5) in downward rotation, the limiter device (86) being preferably a flexible link (99).

6.- Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a limiter device (86) links one of the breeding enclosures (5) to the frame (3), limiting the moving the breeding enclosures (5) upwardly in rotation, the limiter device (86) being preferably a flexible link (101).

7. - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one breeding chamber (5) has a proximal edge (55) and a distal edge (57) opposite one another, the link (13) linking the proximal edge (55) to the frame (3), the float device (10) being bonded to an area of said at least one growing chamber (5) located near the distal edge (57).

8. - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the link (13) allows a rotation of said at least rearing chamber (5) about a first substantially horizontal axis of rotation (R1), and a rotating the first axis of rotation (R1) relative to the frame (3) about a second axis of rotation (R2) substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation.

9. - Device according to claim 8, wherein the connection (13) comprises at least one connecting member (51) connecting rod type pivotally mounted on said at least one breeding chamber (5) about the first axis of rotation (R1) and pivotally mounted on the frame (3) about the second axis of rotation (R2).

10. - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one breeding chamber (5) has a bottom bottom (23) substantially flat, parallel to the first and second axes of rotation (R1, R2).

1 1 .- Device according to any preceding claim, wherein the float device (10) comprises a string (105) of floats, the string (105) having a plurality of floats (107), mounted one behind the others along a flexible link (109) having a lower end is secured to the flexible connection (95).

12. An assembly comprising a plurality of rearing devices (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, the lengths of the flexible connections (95) of the rearing devices (5) being chosen so that, when said flexible links ( 95) are tensioned vertically, the float devices (10) of the rearing devices (5) are substantially at the same level.

13. - Method of breeding (5) offshore aquaculture animals, the method comprising a step of implantation at sea of at least one breeding device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 1 1, the frame (3) being arranged at the bottom (15) of sea, the length of the flexible connection (95) being chosen so that the float device (10), when the flexible connection (95) is stretched vertically, is found in the tidal zone.

14. - Method according to claim 13, wherein several devices (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 1 1 are implanted at sea in the implantation step, the chassis (3) of said rearing devices ( 1) are placed on the foreshore at respective different levels, the lengths of the flexible links (95) of said rearing devices (1) being chosen so that, when said flexible links (95) are tensioned vertically, the float devices (10) of the rearing devices (1) ) are at approximately the same level.