NZ576799A - A tray for growing abalone with water circulation, wave generation and automatic water discharge - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for farming abalone is disclosed. The apparatus has a water retaining tray (1) having a planar bottom (1a) with a peripheral wall (1b). A screened water outlet (6) drains the tray (1) using a self priming siphon (7). A water supply (5) directs water toward the outlet (6) and also charges a water wave generation device (10) to intermittently create a wave of water within the tray (1). These features create an environment that mimics the natural environment of the abalone. The tray may be longitudinally divided in to two sections by a central fence (4) which assists in creating a circular water flow around the tray (1).

Description

13263842_ido_10382818_5.doc P.F. 5 Code 1050 Fee: $250 NEW ZEALAND 5 PATENTS ACT 1953 No. 576799 Priority Date: 7 May 2009 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION 15 Apparatus and method of abalone aquaculture We New Zealand Abalone Limited, a New Zealand company of 46 Taupiri Street, Te Kuiti, New Zealand do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the 20 following statement: RECEIVED at IPONZ on 19 August 2010 -08-12 - 1st amended spec 2 This invention relates to seawater aquaculture and in particular to an apparatus and a method of farming paua "on shore" in a controlled environment. Paua are in most countries called abalone and hereinafter that term will be used.

Various apparatus and methods are known for rearing abalone and other shell fish. These 5 differ from one another in an attempt to meet the diverse requirements of the particular species involved. It follows that an apparatus or method suitable for rearing one species will not easily lend itself for use or even ready adaptation for use with another species. The rearing of abalone is a prime example of such difficulties and consequently there is minimal expertise publically known relating to abalone aquaculture. The difficulties reside not only in inventing 10 suitable apparatus and methods but also achieving these in cost effective manners to render their farming commercially viable. An object of this invention is to provide both an apparatus and a method of marine farming abalone. A further object of this invention is to provide the public with a useful choice(s).

According to a first embodiment of this invention there is provided an apparatus for farming 15 abalone comprising a water retaining tray having a planar bottom with a peripheral wall configuration, a screened water outlet therefrom and a water supply disposed to direct water toward the outlet and wherein the water also charges a water wave generation device to intermittently create a wave of water within the tray.

According to a second embodiment of this invention there is provided an apparatus as 20 described in the preceding paragraph wherein the outlet is provided at one end of the tray and the wave generation device comprises an adjustable capacity reservoir is provided adjacent the outlet to intermittently operate to provide a wave of water discharging through the outlet. -08-12 - 1st amended spec RECEIVED at IPONZ on 19 August 2010 3 According to a third embodiment of this invention there is provided an apparatus as described in the first embodiment wherein the outlet is provided at one end of the tray and the wave generation device(s) comprises a self-tipper bucket mounted at the end of the tray opposite the outlet, the bucket being charged by the water supply and intermittently discharging into the 5 tray.

According to a fourth embodiment of this invention there is provided an apparatus as described in the preceding paragraph wherein a bund divides the bottom of the tray into first and second separate side sections with common and barrier free sections at each end of the bund, the water supply being directed into the first side section only and the outlet being 10 aligned with the second side section, the water supply also charging a second self-tipper bucket with a self-tipper bucket being associated with each side section and-being mounted at opposite ends of the tray to one another.

According to a fifth embodiment of this invention there is provided an apparatus as described in the second embodiment wherein a self-priming siphoning device incorporating a siphon 15 break is coupled to the reservoir to provide for the intermittent, at least partial, discharge of the reservoir.

According to a sixth embodiment of this invention there is provided an apparatus as described in the second or fifth embodiments wherein at least one wave generation device as claimed in claim 3 is also included.

According to a further embodiment of the invention there is a method of farming abalone by seeding the apparatus as described in any one of the first six embodiments with seed abalone and providing feedstock therefore while operating the apparatus as herein described.

RECEIVED at IPONZ on 19 August 2010 -08-12 - 1st amended spec 4 In further describing the invention reference is made to the accompanying drawing, Fig 1, being a partly schematic perspective view of a preferred embodiment. The apparatus is preferably fabricated from a suitable plastics material such as a food grade polyethelene having a main body configuration fundamentally in the nature of a shallow tray 1 having a 5 planar bottom la and a peripheral water retaining wall lb. Preferably the tray 1 is rectilinearly shaped (save for diagonally opposite arcuately shaped corners as described below) and dimensioned some 3 metres by 1.2 meters with a nominal depth of about 150 millimetres. In creating a commercially worthwhile "farm" a stack of such trays 1 are preferably mounted horizontally one above the other within a rack (not depicted) thus providing a small "foot-10 print" for a large farming area. It may be that more than one such rack maybe used to create a "farm". To that end, preferably the trays 1 are removable mounted within a rack to facilitate seeding, culling and harvesting of abalone therefrom as discussed in more detail below. Also as described in more detail below, water and food-stock is fed into each tray 1 to pass thereabout to provide an environment in which the abalone can nourish and grow.

Preferably the tray 1 is provided with a centrally positioned bund 4 extending longitudinally thereof to divide the tray 1 into two side sections lc and Id. The bund 4 terminates clear or short of both ends of the tray 1, the two sides sections lc, Id thus being connected by common end sections. A water supply 5 is provided to the tray 1 to provide a substantially continuous or at least regulated supply of fresh (and/or recycled) salt water to the tray 1. The water 20 supply 5 preferably directs the water toward an outlet 6 and preferably comprises a main inlet in the form of a transversely disposed overhead manifold type pipe 5a positioned part-way along the tray 1. The manifold pipe 5a preferably includes jet outlets 6 with the jets 6 on one side lc of the tray 1 being oppositely directed to those on the other side Id to thus create a circulating flow of water about the tray 1.

RECEIVED at IPONZ on 19 August 2010 -08-12 - 1st amended spec The water outlet 6 is provided at one end, being an upstream end, of the tray 1 in alignment with a first or upstream stream side lc of the side sections. Preferably the outlet 6 is of a width commensurate to that of the associated side lc of the tray 1. As described below, water is circulated about the tray 1 and part only of the circulating water is drained off, by way of a 5 siphon 7, through the outlet 6. Preferably the end section of the peripheral wall lb opposite the outlet 6 is arcuately formed to direct the flow of water within the tray 1 from the first or upstream side lc of the side sections thereof about the associated common end section to the second side section Id of the tray 1. Also to that end of assisting flow about the tray 1, the end section of the peripheral wall lb adjacent to the outlet 6 and aligned with the second or 10 downstream side Id of the trayl is also arcuately formed. The outlet 6 is preferably formed in the peripheral wall la and includes a screen 8 that at least will block abalone being drawn thereinto, the screen 8 also preferably acting as a filter of contaminants and/or excess feedstock.

Preferably at least one, and preferably two or three, longitudinally disposed barrier(s) 9 is 15 provided on each side section of the tray 1. The barriers 9 divide the side sections lc, Id into channels but preferably are of less height than either the peripheral wall lb or the bund 4, they being of a height nominally equating with the maximum intended depth of water within the tray 1. The purpose of the barriers 9 is to assist dispersing or limiting the gathering, by natural movement or dislodgment by water flow, of abalone within the tray 1. On that point, 20 it appears an abalone will seek security by butting up against a fixed object and the barriers 9 (and the bund 4) are also intended for this purpose. As distinct to the bund 4 and the peripheral wall lb the barriers 9 are not intended to prevent migration of abalone from one channel to another. Preferably the commencement of the upstream end of the barriers 9 match the associate end of the bund 4 and preferably the barriers 9 are also arcuately formed at -08-12 - 1st amended spec RECEIVED at IPONZ on 19 August 2010 6 their downstream ends 9a to conform to the associated arcuately shaped peripheral wall end sections.

Preferably at least one water wave generation device 10 is provided to create a wave of water as part of the flow of water about the tray 1. The wave device 10 preferably comprises a self-5 tipping bucket 10a, the bucket 10a being mounted via an "over-centre" articulation point 10b such that on becoming charged with water the bucket 10a is gravitationally caused to pivot and discharge into the tray 1. Preferably a secondary water supply (which also may comprise recycled water) is directed to charge the bucket 10a. The geometry of the bucket mechanismlO and the capacity of water feed 5b thereto preferably provide that the charge rate 10 of a bucket 10a is substantially slower than the discharge rate. It is envisaged this wave generation will assist replicating natural habitat conditions and encourage growth of abalone. An intention of circulating the water and providing the wave action is to bring food into contact with abalone with the wave actions assisting stimulating feeding by the passing food irregularly contacting the sensory feelers of the abalone.

A first water wave generation device 10 is preferably associated with the outlet 6 and preferably a second water wave generation device 10 is also provided at the end of the tray 1 distal of the outlet 6 and in alignment with the second or downstream side section Id of the tray 1. .As will be understood from the above description an essentially continuous flow, including "waves" of water is thus provided about the tray 1. It follows should abalone 20 migrate either upstream or downstream they will be less likely to cluster (this being undesirable) as either direction presents a continuous path. We see this to be significant as it appears abalone will migrate either upstream or downstream dependant upon rearing conditions such as extent of food supply and water quality. Preferably the "timing' of the two -08-12 - 1st amended spec RECEIVED at IPONZ on 19 August 2010 7 wave generation devices 10 is sequential at least to the extent they fundamentally operate out of phase with one another. Again we see this to be significant as it is envisaged this will further emulate the somewhat random nature of tidal wave movement as typically occurs in the natural habitat of abalone.

A second form of wave generation device may comprise a reservoir 11 associated with the outlet 6 to enable control and create a water surge or wave (as discussed below) of the volume of discharging water. To that end preferably the self-priming siphon 7 incorporating a siphon break 7a is coupled to the reservoir 11. Thus, as the tray 1 charges and the volume of water therein increases so does the volume and level within the outlet 6 and the associated reservoir 10 11. The reservoir 11 acts as a dam and consequently the velocity of water circulating within the tray 1 is slowed. Once the siphon 7 self activates the reservoir 11 water rapidly discharges owing to the consequential siphoning action. Correspondingly a marked increase of water being drawn into the outlet 6 is created providing an increase in the velocity of the circulating water (a surge or wave of water) in the tray 1. It is envisaged this of wave generation device 15 10 will further assist replicating the natural habitat conditions of abalone. The siphon 7 operates on becoming "primed", that is, upon the depth of water within the reservoir 11 rising to charge the siphon 7 to the extent a siphoning action results. As the depth of water within the reservoir 11 lowers the siphon break tube 7a vents the siphon 7 to halt the siphoning action. This siphoning action continually repeats itself with each "re-charge" of the reservoir 20 11 to create the water surge. Preferably both forms of wave generation device 10 are provided for a tray however it will be appreciated either may be used.

In farming abalone utilising the apparatus "seed" abalone (not depicted) are placed, preferably evenly distributed, in the tray 1. With placement of the tray 1 into a rack and the required -08-12 - 1st amended spec RECEIVED at IPONZ on 19 August 2010 8 utilities coupled thereto the water supply is activated and substantially continuously operated as described above. As appropriate, feedstock is placed into the tray 1 possibly via the water supply for the rearing of the abalone. It will be appreciated that the various operations of the apparatus in particular the wave or surge characteristics may be randomly operated. Further, 5 it is envisaged that common and/or mechanised and computerised water supply, water oxygenising, feeding, drainage and related support facilities may be provided to the trays 1 in a rack.

RECEIVED at IPONZ on 19 August 2010 -08-12 - 1st amended spec 9

Claims (2)

1. CLAIMS 1 An apparatus for farming abalone comprising a water retaining tray having a planar bottom with a peripheral wall configuration, a screened water outlet therefrom and a water supply disposed to direct water toward the outlet and wherein the water also charges a water 5 wave generation device to intermittently create a wave of water within the tray.
2. 2 An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outlet is provided at one end of the tray and the wave generation device comprises an adjustable capacity reservoir is provided adjacent the outlet to intermittently operate to provide a wave of water discharging through the outlet. 10 3 An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outlet is provided at one end of the tray and the wave generation device(s) comprises a self-tipper bucket mounted at the end of the tray opposite the outlet, the bucket being charged by the water supply and intermittently discharging into the tray. 4 An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein a bund divides the bottom of the tray into 15 first and second separate side sections with common and barrier free sections at each end of the bund, the water supply being directed into the first side section only and the outlet being aligned with the second side section, the water supply also charging a second self-tipper bucket with a self-tipper bucket being associated with each side section and being mounted at opposite ends of the tray to one another. 10-08-12 - 1st amended spec RECEIVED at IPONZon 10 November 2010 10 5 An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein a self-priming siphoning device incorporating a siphon break is coupled to the reservoir to provide for the intermittent, at least partial, discharge of the reservoir. 6 An apparatus as claimed in either claim 2 or claim 5 wherein at least one wave 5 generation device as claimed in claim 3 is also included. 7 An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one barrier is provided to divide the bottom of the tray into channels, the barriers being disposed substantially parallel to the direction of flow of inlet water charging the tray. 8 An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein two self-tipper 10 buckets are provided and their charging rate provides that they operate substantially sequentially of one another. 9 A method of farming abalone by seeding the apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims with seed abalone and providing feedstock therefore while operating the apparatus as herein described. 15 10 An apparatus for farming abalone substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing. 11 A method of farming abalone substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing. NEW ZEALAND ABALONE LIMITED 20 by its Attorneys, NEWNHAM & CO