GB2063631A

GB2063631A - Rearing aquatic animal life

Info

Publication number: GB2063631A
Application number: GB7941241A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: SEPTIMUS SEAFOODS Ltd
Current assignee: SEPTIMUS SEAFOODS Ltd
Priority date: 1979-11-29
Filing date: 1979-11-29
Publication date: 1981-06-10

Abstract

A method of intensively rearing aquatic animal life is carried out in at least one tank (1; 2) for holding the aquatic animal life, installed aboard a floating vessel. Filtered and aerated water is passed through the or each tank (1; 2). Suitably water is pumped from the water in which the vessel floats through the or each tank and is discharged back into the water. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Rearing aquatic animal life This invention relates to rearing aquatic animal life such as fish, shellfish and crustacea.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a method of intensively rearing aquatic animal life, which is carried out in at least one tank installed aboard a floating vessel, filtered and aerated water being passed through the or each tank.

According to another aspect of this invention there is provided aquipment adapted for use in intensively rearing aquatic animal life comprising: a floating vessel; at least one tank installed aboard the vessel, for keeping aquatic animal life in; and means for continuously passing filtered and aerated water through the or each tank.

The said means could include means for pumping water from the water in which the vessel floats through the or each tank and discharging it back into this water.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with geference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of apparatus installed aboard a vessel for rearing fish, Figure 2 shows a side view of the vessel, Figure 3 shows a plan view of the vessel, with a roof removed, and Figure 4 shows a perspective, partly cut-away, view of a tank of the equipment of Figure 1.

Referring first to Figure 1, fish farming apparatus provided on a floating vessel comprises a plurality of fish tanks, of which only two, 1 and 2, are shown.

Water is supplied to the fish tanks 1, 2, etc. from submersible pumps 3 extending overboard into the water (see Figure 2) and is pumped by these pumps 3 to the fish tanks 1, 2 etc. via a filter 4.

Having passed through the fish tanks 1, 2, etc.

water is conveyed away via tank sumps 5, 6 etc. by means of further pumps 8 and 9 to a main discharge sump 7 and to outlets 10 extending overboard from the vessel (see Figure 2).

Main and stand-by power sources in the form of generators 11 and 12 respectively are provided, the stand-by generator 12 being arranged to automati caily cut-in in the event of failure of the main generator 11. A crane 13 and an office 14 are also provided.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the floating vessel is a barge 15 shown equipped with the crane 13, the fish tanks 1,2, etc., the pumps 3 and the outlets 10. The office 14 is not shown in these figures. A roof 16 is fitted over the fish tanks 1, 2, etc. The pumps 3 extend over one side of the barge 15 such that they extend below its water line and the discharge outlets extend from the pumps 8 and 9 over the opposite side of the barge 15, except that they terminate above the water line of the barge.

In Figure 4, the fish tank 1 is shown in detail. The tank 1 comprises a body 17 of glass fibre reinforced cement sections. The tank has a width of five feet and a depth of three feet; its length is determined according to the particular application (for example, the size of the vessel of which it is installed) by the number of sections of five feet or two feet six inches used. Acentral, longitudinal baffle 18 divides the tank to create a circulation effect, and is supported at each end by a respective baffle support member 19.

Water is introduced into the tank from the pumps 3 via a pair of inlet jets 20 which extend vertically downwards from a horizontal supply pipe 21 arranged above the tank. A catwalk 22 is also arranged above the tank and acts as an additional supportforthe baffle 18.

Waste matter which falls to the bottom of the tank is removed via the tank sump 5 of the tank, the opening of which sump is protected by a screen.

The height of water in the tank is controlled by an adjustable, shrouded, discharge standpipe 23 connected with the tank sump 5, an outlet pipe 24 of which is connected with corresponding outlet pipes of discharge stand-pipes 23 of other tanks in the system, and ultimately with the pumps 8 and 9 and outlets 10.

Aeration levels in the tank are maintained or increased by means of an aeration mixing device 25 installed at one end of the tank.

The supply pipe 21 and catwalk 22 are arranged to extend across all the tanks 1, 2 etc. installed sideby-side in the barge 15.

The inlet jets 20 have the effect of maintaining a water flow pattern throughout the depth of the tank to produce a "streaming effect" for an even distribution of fish in the tank and aid waste matter removal.

Stocking densities obtainable are dependent upon such factors as water quality, flow rate, and the type of fish to be farmed.

The barge may be used for both salt water and fresh water applications and is adaptable to various species of fish and other water life. Living accommodation can be provided on it. Powerforthe pumps and aerators may be derived via a land-line in place of, or in addition to, the main generator 11. The vessel need not be a barge, it could be a pontoon or any other suitable floating vessel.

1. A method of intensively rearing aquatic animal life, which is carried out in at least one tank installed aboard a floating vessel, filtered and aerated water being passed through the or each tank.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein water is pumped from the water in which the vessel floats through the or each tank and is discharged back into this water.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein water is pumped using a submersible pump in the water in which the vessel floats.

4. A method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the water pumped aboard is introduced into the or each tank by means of a plurality of water jets located at different depths in the or each tank.

5. A method according to any preceding claim, The drawing(s) originally filed was/were informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Rearing aquatic animal life This invention relates to rearing aquatic animal life such as fish, shellfish and crustacea. According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a method of intensively rearing aquatic animal life, which is carried out in at least one tank installed aboard a floating vessel, filtered and aerated water being passed through the or each tank. According to another aspect of this invention there is provided aquipment adapted for use in intensively rearing aquatic animal life comprising: a floating vessel; at least one tank installed aboard the vessel, for keeping aquatic animal life in; and means for continuously passing filtered and aerated water through the or each tank. The said means could include means for pumping water from the water in which the vessel floats through the or each tank and discharging it back into this water. The invention will now be described, by way of example, with geference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of apparatus installed aboard a vessel for rearing fish, Figure 2 shows a side view of the vessel, Figure 3 shows a plan view of the vessel, with a roof removed, and Figure 4 shows a perspective, partly cut-away, view of a tank of the equipment of Figure 1. Referring first to Figure 1, fish farming apparatus provided on a floating vessel comprises a plurality of fish tanks, of which only two, 1 and 2, are shown. Water is supplied to the fish tanks 1, 2, etc. from submersible pumps 3 extending overboard into the water (see Figure 2) and is pumped by these pumps 3 to the fish tanks 1, 2 etc. via a filter 4. Having passed through the fish tanks 1, 2, etc. water is conveyed away via tank sumps 5, 6 etc. by means of further pumps 8 and 9 to a main discharge sump 7 and to outlets 10 extending overboard from the vessel (see Figure 2). Main and stand-by power sources in the form of generators 11 and 12 respectively are provided, the stand-by generator 12 being arranged to automati caily cut-in in the event of failure of the main generator 11. A crane 13 and an office 14 are also provided. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the floating vessel is a barge 15 shown equipped with the crane 13, the fish tanks 1,2, etc., the pumps 3 and the outlets 10. The office 14 is not shown in these figures. A roof 16 is fitted over the fish tanks 1, 2, etc. The pumps 3 extend over one side of the barge 15 such that they extend below its water line and the discharge outlets extend from the pumps 8 and 9 over the opposite side of the barge 15, except that they terminate above the water line of the barge. In Figure 4, the fish tank 1 is shown in detail. The tank 1 comprises a body 17 of glass fibre reinforced cement sections. The tank has a width of five feet and a depth of three feet; its length is determined according to the particular application (for example, the size of the vessel of which it is installed) by the number of sections of five feet or two feet six inches used. Acentral, longitudinal baffle 18 divides the tank to create a circulation effect, and is supported at each end by a respective baffle support member 19. Water is introduced into the tank from the pumps 3 via a pair of inlet jets 20 which extend vertically downwards from a horizontal supply pipe 21 arranged above the tank. A catwalk 22 is also arranged above the tank and acts as an additional supportforthe baffle 18. Waste matter which falls to the bottom of the tank is removed via the tank sump 5 of the tank, the opening of which sump is protected by a screen. The height of water in the tank is controlled by an adjustable, shrouded, discharge standpipe 23 connected with the tank sump 5, an outlet pipe 24 of which is connected with corresponding outlet pipes of discharge stand-pipes 23 of other tanks in the system, and ultimately with the pumps 8 and 9 and outlets 10. Aeration levels in the tank are maintained or increased by means of an aeration mixing device 25 installed at one end of the tank. The supply pipe 21 and catwalk 22 are arranged to extend across all the tanks 1, 2 etc. installed sideby-side in the barge 15. The inlet jets 20 have the effect of maintaining a water flow pattern throughout the depth of the tank to produce a "streaming effect" for an even distribution of fish in the tank and aid waste matter removal. Stocking densities obtainable are dependent upon such factors as water quality, flow rate, and the type of fish to be farmed. The barge may be used for both salt water and fresh water applications and is adaptable to various species of fish and other water life. Living accommodation can be provided on it. Powerforthe pumps and aerators may be derived via a land-line in place of, or in addition to, the main generator 11. The vessel need not be a barge, it could be a pontoon or any other suitable floating vessel. CLAIMS

wherein water is pumped by a discharge pump from the or each tank via a sump of the or each tank to an outlet of the vessel.

6. Equipment adapted for use in intensively rear ing aquatic animal life comprising: a floating vessel; at least one tank installed aboard the vessel, for keeping aquatic animal life in; and means for con tinuously passing filtered and aerated water through the or each tank.

7. Equipment according to claim 6, wherein the said means includes means for pumping water from the water in which the vessel floats through the or each tank and means for discharging it back into this water.

8. Equipment according to claim 7, wherein the said means for pumping water comprises a submersible pump for submersion in the water in which the vessel floats.

9. Equipment according to claim 7 or8, wherein the said means for pumping water further comprises means for introducing water into the or each tank by a plurality of water jets located at different depths in the or each tank.

10. Equipment according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the said discharging means comprises a discharge pump for pumping water from the or each tank via a sump ofthe or each tank to an outlet of the vessel.

11. Equipment according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the said means for continuously passing filtered and aerated water through the or each tank further includes a filter arranged between the pumping means and the or each tank.

12. Equipment according to any of claims 6 to 11, wherein the said means for continuously passing filtered and aerated water through the or each tank includes an aeration device located in the or each tank.

13. Equipment according to any of claims 6 to 12, provided with an electrical generator.

14. A method of intensively rearing aquatic animal life, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. Equipment adapted for use in intensively rearing aquatic animal life, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.