US-20260123607-A1 - AQUACULTURE BASKET

Abstract

An aquaculture basket is connected to an aquaculture cable, is disposed underwater, and includes a front surface, a rear surface, an upper surface, and a lower surface. The front and rear surfaces are substantially parallel to a plane perpendicular to the extending direction of the aquaculture cable. The lower surface has a downwardly convex curved shape when viewed from the front side, and includes an opening for inserting and removing cultured objects.

Inventors

• Satoshi UMETSU

Assignees

• UMIOTOKO CORPORATION

Dates

Publication Date

20260507

Application Date

20251230

Priority Date

20230821

Claims (3)

1. 1 . An aquaculture basket configured to be placed underwater and connected to an aquaculture cable, the aquaculture basket comprising: a front surface, a rear surface, an upper surface, and a lower surface, wherein the front surface and the rear surface face each other in an extension direction of the aquaculture cable, wherein the lower surface has a convex curved shape as viewed from a front side of the aquaculture basket, and wherein the lower surface includes an opening for insertion and removal of aquaculture objects.
2. 2 . The aquaculture basket according to claim 1 , further comprising: an auxiliary portion for connecting the aquaculture basket to the aquaculture cable; and a joint portion for attaching the auxiliary portion to a surface of the aquaculture basket.
3. 3 . The aquaculture basket according to claim 1 , wherein, when connected to the aquaculture cable, the aquaculture basket configured to swing about the aquaculture cable as a rotation axis in response to waves or swells.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field The present invention relates to an aquaculture basket. Background Art Aquaculture using aquaculture baskets has been actively conducted in seas, lakes, rivers, ponds, and tanks for farming marine products such as oysters, abalone, crabs, sea cucumbers, urchins, and seaweed. The following describes the use of baskets for farming each type of marine product. Oyster farming has long been a thriving part of the aquaculture industry in Japan. In recent years, technological advancements have also been made in oyster aquaculture, leading to the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly farming methods. One such method is “oyster farming using baskets.” Oyster farming using baskets allows oysters to move within the basket, which reduces the attachment of unwanted substances to the oysters and prevents pollution of the ocean, unlike conventional methods. As the baskets are moved, the oysters roll, which results in aesthetically pleasing shell shapes. Additionally, exposing the oysters to air (i.e., drying them) encourages repeated opening and closing of the shells, thereby cultivating stronger and more vigorous oysters. Strengthening the vitality of the farmed oysters enables them to be preserved for longer periods, making it possible to produce oysters suitable for export overseas. Conventional farming methods suffered from predation by fish and flatworms, and required significant labor. In contrast, farming oysters inside baskets provides protection from such predators. In abalone aquaculture, the method using aquaculture baskets involves fixing juvenile abalones inside specially designed baskets or nets and submerging them in the ocean. While inside the baskets, the abalones are protected from predators and absorb nutrients from natural seawater as they grow. Using baskets simplifies abalone management and harvesting, and reduces the impact of seabed environmental changes and predators. This basket-based aquaculture method is widely adopted by aquaculture operators as a technique to achieve uniform quality and mass production. In crab aquaculture, the use of aquaculture baskets involves placing crabs into baskets or nets and submerging them in the sea. This method protects the crabs from predators and other external dangers. Growth within the baskets also reduces the risk of fighting or injury among the crabs. Using baskets facilitates efficient management and harvesting of the crabs and reduces susceptibility to environmental changes. As such, aquaculture using baskets is a method aimed at maintaining stable production volume and quality. In sea cucumber aquaculture, the method using aquaculture baskets involves placing juvenile sea cucumbers into baskets or nets and submerging them in the ocean. Growing sea cucumbers inside baskets protects them from predators and disease, while making it easier to maintain stable environmental conditions. The use of baskets also improves efficiency in managing the aquaculture environment and harvesting. Since sea cucumbers are benthic organisms, living inside the baskets resembles their natural habitat and supports healthy growth. This method is a key technique for efficiently producing high-quality sea cucumbers. In sea urchin aquaculture, the method involves placing sea urchin larvae or juveniles into baskets or nets and submerging them in the ocean. This basket-based method protects urchins from predators and disease, while also helping to stabilize environmental conditions. The use of baskets enables efficient management and harvesting of the urchins, reduces fighting among individuals, and minimizes injuries or damage. This method is beneficial for aquaculture operators aiming to mass-produce urchins while maintaining consistent quality. In seaweed aquaculture, the method involves securing seedlings to baskets or nets and floating them in the ocean for cultivation. Using baskets allows seaweed to grow stably at a fixed depth, making it less susceptible to strong currents or stormy weather. Furthermore, baskets allow for efficient harvesting and management. This method is particularly suitable for deep-sea seaweeds or varieties that require specific light conditions or water depth for growth. It is a method that enables uniform quality and stable production. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of an aquaculture basket for oyster farming. The aquaculture basket is connected to a cable. Further, by designing the basket to be laterally elongated with respect to the cable, the basket is made easier to invert (Patent Document 1). PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS Patent Documents Patent Document 1: WO 2019/151879 (Marlborough Oysters Limited) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In conventional aquaculture baskets, since the opening is located on the upper surface or a side surface of the basket, it is difficult to remove oysters from the aquaculture basket. Moreover, the oysters in the basket are difficult to remove unless the basket is f