Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K69/00—Stationary catching devices
  • A01K69/06—Traps
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K61/00—Culture of aquatic animals
  • A01K61/60—Floating cultivation devices, e.g. rafts or floating fish-farms
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K71/00—Floating nets
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K73/00—Drawn nets
  • A01K73/12—Nets held vertically in the water, e.g. seines
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K74/00—Other catching nets or the like
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K79/00—Methods or means of catching fish in bulk not provided for in groups A01K69/00 - A01K77/00, e.g. fish pumps; Detection of fish; Whale fishery
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
  • Y02A40/80—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in fisheries management
  • Y02A40/81—Aquaculture, e.g. of fish

Definitions

• the invention relates to the technical sector of fishing and sea farming.
• the transfer cage is towed to position, with the net yoked at surface to avoid any hydrodynamic resistance to the progress.
• the cage's net is released and the float-line of the purse seine net is tied to the floating structure of the cage.
• the transfer doors of the perimeter net and those of the transport and rearing cage are yoked together.
• the tuna fishing boat begins the turning manoeuver of the float-line, therefore reducing the volume in which the capture is located. The capture will move to the inside of the cage through the transfer doors when it can no longer stand the density inside the fishing net.
• the doors are closed, the cage is released from the purse-seine net and the cage is ready to be towed to its site where it will be duly moored.
• the fishing and/or live-fish rearing industry use a large range of different cages.
• the two types which are more widely used are submerged and gravity cages, whose structure is usually made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or metal.
• HDPE high-density polyethylene
• the pelagic marine fishing cage is the only one in its genre that allows, at once, the capture, transportation, storage and rearing of any type of pelagic fish. Its low cost, around 20% of the value of a standard purse seine fishing boat or a long-line
• the pelagic marine cage is an innovative fishing, rearing, and transportation device for live fish applicable to any type of pelagic fish, from tuna to sardines and/or mackerel to other cephalopods such
• the pelagic marine fishing cage is towed to the fishing area at sea. In order to allow for a quick and easy access to site, the cage is towed with its floating structure, netting, and submerged ballasting structure
• the mono-tubular ballasting structure is submerged and connected to the tri -tubular floating device by means of cables.
• the operators of the cage may choose the length of the connection cables and therefore, the laboring limits of the cage. This is achieved by the use of rising or lowering devices, be they mechanic, electric, pneumatic, or oil-pneumatic such as wire-drums and/or winches, located at surface.
• the cage in its fishing position, maintains its vertical curtaining
• the curtaining for the upper net is folded to the submerged keel of the floating tri-tubular structure, whilst the lower curtain is folded to the submerged mono-tubular structure.
• the mono-tubular ballasting structure submerged to a predetermined depth is also used, as a frame to a circular net, which will act as the bottom of the cage once this, remains closed.
• a water pump located in the turret and equipped with a perforated pipe, distributes a sufficient volume of seawater so that this is sprinkled over the sea surface, inside and outside the perimeter of the cage, impeding any vision beyond the water surface.
• the systems of fish attraction are positioned and activated from the cage's central floating sea turret as follows:
• a light source is located at a predetermined depth, of specific characteristics in accordance with the fish type to be attracted by such luminous luring device.
• a submergible loudspeaker is located, whose technical characteristics have been established in accordance with the required power and volume for each fish species to be attracted by such sonorous
• a closed basket containing live bait is located, previously determined in accordance with the type of fish to be attracted.
• a high-pressure air-compressor connected to a system of compressed air tanks, which in turn feed through a high-pressure hose, a bubble curtain system formed by sections of perforated pipe-work, installed in the upper area of the lower net curtain.
• a laser light source which feeds a number of laser light points installed in the submerged ballasting tube by means of a fibre optic cable. These light points activate a virtual curtain of laser beams, external to the air bubble curtain. The combined effect of ascending air bubbles and the laser beams is that of a virtual wall that the fish will not penetrate.
• the quick release system for the upper and lower systems of vertical net curtains is activated from the central floating maneuvering turret, using
• ballasting tubes of the upper system of vertical net curtains and the tubes for the air bubble curtain system for the lower vertical net curtains are connected, as a running block by means of halyards that run on dented pulley wheels locates in each section of the tri-tubular floating structure as mast tackle so that when the upper system of vertical net curtains is submerged, the weight of the latter drags the lower net curtains in the opposite direction.
• the air circulating inside the tubes forming the air bubble curtaining system installed in the upper area of the lower system of vertical net curtains purges all excess water inside these tubes providing positive floatability to the lower system of vertical netting.
• the netting lengths employed will be selected accordingly.
• nets with a minimum 7cm long mesh with 05mm netting thread will be employed. For smaller species, these measurements will be reduced.
• the diameter of the floating tri-tubular structure and that of the mono-tubular ballasting structure may be equally increased or diminished, altering in the same proportion the number of sections which form both of these.
• the fishing principle with marine cages is therefore invariable. It is only a question of resizing some aspects of the cage and to adapt luminous and sound luring devices in order to better fulfil its fishing capabilities to the desired species.
• Figure 1 shows a sea fishing cage being towed to the fishing site at sea.
• Figure 2 shows sea fishing cage at different moments of the raising and lowering of its mono-tubular ballasting structure.
• Figure 3 shows a general perspective of the sea fishing cage.
• Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the tri-tubular floating structure and the submerged mono-tubular ballasting structure.
• Figure 5 shows an elevation of the tri-tubular floating structure, of the submerged mono-tubular ballasting structure and of the central floating maneuvering turret.
• Figure 6 shows a plan of the tri-tubular floating structure.
• Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the dismantling of a section of the tri-tubular floating structure.
• Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the structure and composition of a section of the tri-tubular floating structure.
• Figures 9, 10, 11 & 12 show the assembly and welding sequence for a section of the tri-tubular floating structure.
• Figure 13 shows the assembly and welding sequence for the tri-tubular floating structure.
• Figure 14 shows a plan and section II according to plan JT-II" of the mono-tubular ballasting structure.
• Figure 15 shows a plan of the bottom net.
• Figure 16 shows a representation of the composition of a curtain from the upper system of
• Figure 17 shows a representation of the composition of a curtain from the lower system of
• Figure 18 shows a perspective of an upper log.
• Figure 19 shows a perspective of a lower log.
• Figure 20 shows a view of a curtain from the upper system of vertical net curtains and a curtain from the lower system of vertical net curtains.
• Figure 21 shows the location of the release system for the upper and lower vertical net curtain
• Figure 22 shows the dismantling of the release system for the upper and lower vertical net curtain systems.
• Figure 23 shows the location of the central floating maneuvering turret.
• Figure 24 shows the composition of the central floating maneuvering turret.
• Figure 25 shows the tackle and equipment of the central floating maneuvering turret.
• Figures 26, 27, 28 and 29 show perspective views of the different phases in the use of the marine fishing cage.
• Figure 30 shows a perspective of the marine fishing cage being towed with captured live fish.
• the description of the pelagic marine cage that follows corresponds to a cage used for the fishing, transportation and rearing of live tuna and species of similar size; this is not limitative on its applications, in the sense that this cage can be easily adapted for the fishing of pelagic species of smaller size. For this purpose it will be enough to resize the diameter of the cage, its maximum depth, the net mesh size and diameter as well as the adaptation of the luminous and sonorous luring devices in accordance with the species to be captured.
• the pelagic marine fishing cage will have to be towed to a fishing area at sea predetermined in accordance with the pelagic species to be captured.
• the cage is towed with its tri-tubular floating structure (1), its upper and lower systems of vertical net curtains (2) and its mono-tubular ballasting structure (3), folded and yoked at surface, therefore offering a much lower hydrodynamic resistance at sea and consequently a greater towing speed.
• the operators of this type of cage will be able to rise or submerge the mono-tubular ballasting structure (3) connected to the tri-tubular floating structure ( 1 ) by means of cables (101), thereby determining the depth of the cage and its draught labouring range.
• This is achieved by activating the raising and lowering mechanisms (102) of a mechanic, pneumatic, and/or oil-pneumatic kind, which control the movement of cables (101) and simultaneously act as stopper when these are not in use.
• Four main positions can be distinguished relative to these maneuvers: cage in yoking position at surface (4); raising of the mono-tubular ballasting structure (5); cage in its maximum depth position (6); raising of the mono-tubular ballasting structure (7).
• the pelagic marine fishing cage is formed by the following:
• the 32 sections (170) are joined by the linear welding of the internal floatation pipes (14), the external flotation pipes (16) and the submerged stabilizing pipes or keel (12).
• the 32 sections form a closed perimeter corresponding to the tri-tubular floating structure (1) of the pelagic marine fishing cage.
• This design is innovative in comparison with other designs currently available in the market: the submerged pipes (12) of the tri-tubular floating structure (1) act as a keel, further stabilizing the tri-tubular floating structure which allows greater security for the personnel on board the pelagic marine fishing cage.
• the colour of the tri-tubular floating structure (1) and of the submerged mono-tubular ballasting structure (3) will correspond to the intermediate colour of the sea water, previously obtained by a series of satellite
• each section (170) of the tri-tubular floating structure is made of:
• 5 i Hermetically seals the interior of the pressure cylinder ( 104) . ii. Connects the interior of the pressure cylinder to (104) by means of a high-pressure air valve (112) and high-pressure air hose (111) to a vacuum pump activated by an air compressor (141) located in the central floating manoeuvring turret (8); b.
• This screw-on lid (33) has a central orifice whose diameter allows the circulation of the cable (101) for the raising and lowering mechanism (102) in turn resting on the external surface
• the interior angular connexion pipes (18) will be introduced (40 & 41) in their respective positions and they will be welded. iii. Both horizontal connexion pipes (20) will be introduced (42 & 43) in their respective positions
• the candlesticks (24 & 25) for the handrail (26) are located (57, 58 & 59) and the threading components (36) of the handrail (26) are welded.
• the handrail tube (26) is threaded (60, 61 & 62) to their two corresponding threading components (36) and its location fixed by means of two support pins (35). xiv. All lids (32 & 33) are screwed (63 & 64) to the upper part of every open fixing cylinder, d.
• the sections (170) forming the tri-tubular floating structure (1) are joined among them by the welding
• the submerged mono tubular ballasting structure (3) is a closed perimeter formed by a tube with a medium diameter of equal to that of the tri-tubular floating structure (1) and is tied to the latter in 32 equidistant points, by means of connecting metallic cables (101) used by the rising and lowering mechanisms ( 102) leaning as stopper, on the screw lids (33) on the upper part of all the fixing cylinders (28) for the draught mechanism and cage fishing in the tri-tubular floating structure (1).
• the submerged mono tubular ballasting structure (3) will be perforated in such manner that will allow the following: a. Its total inundation with seawater (65). b. The expulsion of air in its interior (66) during inundation.
• the submerged mono tubular ballasting structure (3) is also the attachment structure for the bottom net (11). This structure is held by, in as many points as necessary, by the above mentioned metallic and resistant attachment pins (67). Both extremes of these pins have a ring acting as an attachment collar (70),
• an anchor chain (71) will be placed in the interior of the submerged mono tubular ballasting structure (3) so as to avoid a pilling up.
• a central floating manoeuvring turret (8) This is a floating structure situated in the centre of the tri-tubular floating structure (1).
• Its mooring system (113) is composed of eight points for cross-mooring and allows the turret to be constantly positioned in the centre of the cage, independently of sea conditions.
• the central floating manoeuvring turret (8) is composed of welded pipes (114, 115, 116, & 117).
• the geometry of its structure is that of an octagon with pipes filled with air and / or closed-cell expanded polystyrene rolls (135).
• Four pipes for lateral flotation (114) and of the same nominal diameter than those used for internal flotation (14) and external flotation tubes (16) of the tri-tubular floating structure (1), are welded at an angle to each one of the corner tubes (115) of the flotation octagon.
• Each one of the four lateral flotation tubes (114) is perforated cross-wise, from wall to wall, at two equidistant points. Through these perforations some tubes (119) are welded and moored, tubes of sufficient diameter to allow the threading of the cross mooring points of the central floating manoeuvring
• the work surface of the central floating manoeuvring turret (8) is placed at a predetermined height in accordance with the central height and caring for the maximum stability of the whole structure.
• all the materials and instruments of the central floating manoeuvring turret (8) are fastened, among which we can indicate: an electrical generator (139), compressed-air tanks (140), an electric air-compressor (141), a motorised water pump (142), a water and food storage container (143), a 'A' type first-aid case (144), a container for the sound luring device system (145), a container for replacement kit (146), connectors for the distribution of the sea water sprinkling system (147), a
• perforated pipe for the sprinkling system (148), devices for the rolling of hoses and cables (149), a container which holds an echo sounder, a thermometer, a sea-current-metre, a GPS, a VHF receiver / transmitter and other on-board electronics (150), an IMO-SOLAS certified radio-beacon (151), a container for the virtual laser netting system (152), an IMO-SOLAS certified rechargeable navigation and positional lights (153), a container for visual bait (154), a VHF antenna (155), approved fire-extinguishers (156), IMO-SOLAS approved passive radar reflectors (157), torches (158), a submergible thermometer transducer (160) and a submergible sea-current-metre transducer (161), a basket for live bait (162), a hose for seawater (163), a seawater pump (164) a cable for connecting the sound bait system to the submergible loudspeaker (165), a
• submergible loudspeaker 166
• This list of materials and instruments is not limitative.
• security material such as a type 'C first-aid kit, a gas horn, security harnesses, etc.
• security material such as a type 'C first-aid kit, a gas horn, security harnesses, etc.
• all security and survival materials for sea will be approved by IMO-SOLAS.
• the stowage of al the elements and materials on board the central floating maneuvering turret (8) will be done in such a manner that the central height and position of the center of gravity of the moored turret will allow maximum stability to the entire structure on and during any type of sea condition.
• inferior bolt rope (81 ) of the security net (79) with a sufficient diameter and length so as to secure a safe attachment.
• Some net panels (76) whose materials have a specific weight above that of sea water and whose draught and number is in accordance with species to be fished and/or the desired maximum draught for the cage.
• the weight of the upper vertical net curtain system (9) is always greater than that of the lower vertical net curtain system (10).
• upper logs (100) will be hooked by their lateral running eyes (95) to the vertical exterior bolt ropes (84) of all the vertical net curtains and through its central running eye (94) runs a free cable (101) of the elevating system (102) which also connects the tri-tubular floating structure (1) to the submerged mono tubular ballasting structure (3) by one of its ends duly back-spliced with a thimble (69), and which acts as a vertical guiding cable for the group of upper logs.
• a free cable (101) of the elevating system (102) which also connects the tri-tubular floating structure (1) to the submerged mono tubular ballasting structure (3) by one of its ends duly back-spliced with a thimble (69), and which acts as a vertical guiding cable for the group of upper logs.
• This bubble-curtaining system is formed by pipes (93), duly perforated and attached to the upper part of the lower curtains. Once the pressurised air has been injected into these pipes (93) forming the bubble curtain system, an air chamber will be formed inside the pipes, granting the lower curtaining system the required positive flotation for it to ascend with no difficulty.
• a cable (101) runs free for the rising mechanism (102) which in turn connects the tri-tubular floating structure (1) to the submerged mono tubular ballasting structure (3) by one of its ends duly back-spliced with a thimble (69) acting as a vertical guiding cable for all the lower logs.
• Each running block is in turn formed by:
• a quick release system for the lower and upper vertical net systems (2) formed by: a. An air compressor (141) located in the central floating manoeuvring turret (8);
• a screw on lid (105) that: 1. Hermetically seals the interior of the pressure cylinder (104),
• a pressure cylinder (104) that comprises the following:
• the bottom net (11) is circular. Its radius is the same as the internal radius of the submerged mono tubular ballasting structure (3).
• the type of net used in its production is knotless (72).
• the diameter of the twine used and the net's mesh size vary according to the species to be captured. For example, to capture tuna-like species, a twine of 05mm will be used as well as a 7 to 9 cms. mesh size.
• the bottom net has negative flotation.
• the submerged mono tubular ballasting structure's (3) will be sunk, connected to the tri-tubular floating structure (1) by means of cables (101).
• the operators of this type of cage will be able t choose the length of the connecting cables and thus the maximum working draught for the cage. This is achieved by the activation (120 & 121) of rising and
• the upper vertical net curtain system (9) remains folded to the submerged rearing tube or keel (12) of the tri-tubular floating structure (1), whilst the lower vertical net curtain
• the submerged mono tubular ballasting structure's (3) serves as an attachment frame for the bottom net (11) which will act as the bottom of the cage once this is closed.
• a water pump will distribute through a perforated pipe, a sufficient volume of sea- water so that this is sprinkled above the sea surface (inside and outside the perimeter of the cage), making it impossible for fish to see beyond the sea surface (123).
• the systems for the attraction of fish are positioned and activated in the central floating manoeuvring turret (8):
• a light source is positioned at a predetermined depth, whose characteristics have also been determined in accordance with the type of pelagic fish to be captured.
• a submergible loudspeaker is positioned and whose technical characteristics have been established in accordance with the power and volume required for each type of pelagic fish to be attracted by means of sonorous luring device.
• a closed basket is positioned with live bait, selected in accordance with the pelagic fish to be attracted.
• a high pressure air compressor (141), connected to a system of compressed air tanks ( 140) which
• the combined effect of the bubbles and the laser lights is that of a virtual wall that fish will not penetrate (127).
• the quick net release system for the upper net curtain (128) is activated.
• the upper vertical net curtain system (9), made with negative flotation materials, is then submerged at a determined speed depending on the quantity of ballast to be used.
• ballast tubes (87) for the upper vertical net curtain system (9) are connected, by means of running blocks, in each extreme and at each end of the perforated tubes (93) for the lower vertical net curtain system (10), the upper vertical net curtain system (9), in its immersion movement, raises the lower vertical net curtain system (10) to the surface.
• the standard towing bars for this cage are installed (130).
• the cage, duly prepared is towed (131) to its destination.
• the tubes (132) and the towing bar (133) avoid the deformation of the vertical net walls (134) toward the bow of the cage, therefore avoiding the fish feeling pressed inside the cage during the transport operation.

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• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Environmental Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Husbandry (AREA)
• Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
• Marine Sciences & Fisheries (AREA)
• Zoology (AREA)

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Cited By (13)

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Citations (3)

Family Cites Families (7)

• 2004
  • 2004-04-12 ES ES200400881A patent/ES2215489B1/es not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2005
  • 2005-04-11 WO PCT/ZA2005/000058 patent/WO2006021010A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (3)

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