Key information

Title: Fish farm
Application number: 20230622
Case type: National
Status: 03.06.2024 Patent meddelt (B1)
Filed: 31.05.2023
Effective date: 31.05.2023
Publicly available: 03.06.2024
Next annual fee due: 31.05.2027
Applicant: Baring Ocean AS (NO)
Owner: Baring Ocean AS (NO)
Inventor: Ole Kristoffer Torsvik (NO)
Agent: BRYN AARFLOT AS (NO)
Granted: 03.06.2024
Patent number: 347962
Expiry date: 31.05.2043

Abstract and drawing

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.

The present invention concerns a cage system comprising a mobile or transportable cage (10) and a fixed docking frame (20) arranged under a predetermined number of meters under the sea surface (200). The docking frame (20) is configured to receive and accommodate therein the cage (10) which is configured for breeding of fish therewithin. A fish farm comprises at least one cage system according to the invention.

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Date

Date	Doc. No.	Process	Case number	In/Out	Journal description	To/from
02.10.2026	17-01	Saksbehandling	20230622(347962)	UT	PT Påminnelse om ikke betalt årsavgift (3329) (PT20230622)	BRYN AARFLOT AS
02.10.2025	16-01	Saksbehandling	20230622(347962)	UT	PT Påminnelse om ikke betalt årsavgift (3329) (PT20230622)	BRYN AARFLOT AS
02.04.2025	15-01	Saksbehandling	20230622(347962)	UT	PT Varsel om betaling av første årsavgift (3317) (PT20230622)	BRYN AARFLOT AS
04.06.2024	14-01	Saksbehandling	20230622(347962)	UT	PT Registreringsbrev nasjonal patent (15) (PT20230622)
03.06.2024	13-02	Saksbehandling	20230622	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	BRYN AARFLOT AS
03.06.2024	13-01	Saksbehandling	20230622	INN	PDF_618083576	BRYN AARFLOT AS
01.03.2024	12-01	Saksbehandling	20230622	UT	Intention to grant	BRYN AARFLOT AS
29.02.2024	11-05	Saksbehandling	20230622	INN	Response NIPO	BRYN AARFLOT AS
29.02.2024	11-04	Saksbehandling	20230622	INN	142736-claims-no	BRYN AARFLOT AS
29.02.2024	11-03	Saksbehandling	20230622	INN	142736-application-amended-tracked	BRYN AARFLOT AS
29.02.2024	11-02	Saksbehandling	20230622	INN	142736-application-amended-clean	BRYN AARFLOT AS
29.02.2024	11-01	Saksbehandling	20230622	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	BRYN AARFLOT AS
12.09.2023	10-02	Saksbehandling	20230622	UT	PT report 10:38:29
12.09.2023	10-01	Saksbehandling	20230622	UT	20230622_1752867_PT 08 Eng	BRYN AARFLOT AS
20.07.2023	09-02	Saksbehandling	20230622	INN	Erklæring2_signert	BRYN AARFLOT AS
20.07.2023	09-01	Saksbehandling	20230622	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	BRYN AARFLOT AS
03.07.2023	08-02	Saksbehandling	20230622	INN	GPOA Baring Ocean AS	BRYN AARFLOT AS
03.07.2023	08-01	Saksbehandling	20230622	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	BRYN AARFLOT AS
30.06.2023	07-02	Saksbehandling	20230622	INN	142736 Declaration	BRYN AARFLOT AS
30.06.2023	07-01	Saksbehandling	20230622	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	BRYN AARFLOT AS
26.06.2023	06-01	Saksbehandling	20230622	UT	Infobrev til oppfinner	BRYN AARFLOT AS
26.06.2023	05-01	Saksbehandling	20230622	INN	Vedr. infobrev til oppfinner i retur - vår ref. 142736 - norsk patentsøknad NO 20230622
22.06.2023	04-01	Saksbehandling	20230622	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	BRYN AARFLOT AS
01.06.2023	03-01	Saksbehandling	20230622	UT	Formal Examination 1	BRYN AARFLOT AS
01.06.2023	02-01	Saksbehandling	20230622	UT	Infobrev til oppfinner	BRYN AARFLOT AS
31.05.2023	01-03	Saksbehandling	20230622	INN	142736-application-filed-2023	BRYN AARFLOT AS
31.05.2023	01-02	Saksbehandling	20230622	INN	142736 - figures 1-12 filed 2023	BRYN AARFLOT AS
31.05.2023	01-01	Saksbehandling	20230622	INN	Søknadsskjema Patent	BRYN AARFLOT AS

Description, claims and drawings

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a pen and a fish farm for breeding of fish, such as for example salmon, tuna or sea bass, etc., at offshore and/or exposed locations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

CN 109329154 concerns a net cage with a detachable operation platform. The net cage comprises a cage body, a mooring system and the operation platform, wherein the cage body is connected with the mooring system, the operation platform is located over the cage body, and the operation platform is connected with or separated from the cage body through a connection mechanism. The operation platform comprises a boat body, a power device and an upper compartment, wherein the power device is arranged in the boat body, and the upper compartment is arranged on the boat body. The net cage is provided with a rain water collection system, the rain water collection system comprises collection plates, and a guide pipe and a water tank, wherein the collection plates are arranged on the top of the upper compartment, a groove is formed by the collection plates, the guide pipe is communicated with the bottom of the groove and the water tank, and the water tank is arranged on the cage body and sinks underwater. By means of the net cage, separation and connection of the operation platform and the cage body can be achieved, the dead weight of the operation platform can be reduced, swinging is reduced, the maneuverability is high, the adaptability to sea conditions is improved, and the net cage is suitable for open sea.

CN 214546580 relates to the technical field of ocean engineering equipment, in particular to a self-elevating net cage device which comprises a cage body and a net, wherein the cage body can be arranged on a pile leg in a sliding mode in the axis direction of the pile leg. A lifting device is installed on the pile leg, and the output end of the lifting device is detachably connected with the cage body. A hoist chain assembly comprises a lifting hoist chain used for lifting the cage body, where one end of the lifting hoist chain is connected with the lifting device, and the other end of the lifting hoist chain is connected with the cage body. According to the self-elevating net cage device, the lifting hoist chain can be used for ascending and descending the cage body so that the cage body can descend to the deeper position of the seabed, The cage body can be better protected in the ascending and descending process of the cage body, the load of the cage body is transferred to the lifting hoist chain, and the reliability of the device is guaranteed.

WO 2006/021010 A1 describes a new fishing procedure by means of marine cage for pelagic fishing which at the same time acts as a means of fishing as well as a mechanism for the contention and transport of a captured biomass. The system is applicable to all sorts of pelagic species and it comprises: a) a floating tri-tubular structure; b) a superior vertical net curtain system; c) an inferior vertical net curtain system; d) a connection system between the superior and the inferior net curtain systems; e) a system that insures that the superior net curtain system sinks efficiently; f) a system that insures that the inferior net curtain system ascends efficiently and; g) a quick release system of both the superior and inferior net curtain systems. The marine cage for pelagic fishing allows to be quickly and easily towed, since the whole system can be yoked up on the sea surface.

JP H11206265 teaches a fish preserving device designed to easily sink the fish preserving device under the sea level or allow it to float to intend for raising healthy fishes and also facilitate easy inspection/maintenance works, such as fouling removal or breakage repair of the net of the fish preserving device. The fish preserving device is designed that the bottom of the fish preserving device is integrally mounted with a float enabling air supply / exhaust and water supply / discharge so as to regulate the buoyancy of the float through supplying compressed air from a compressor equipped on the sea or exhausting air and to ensure the fish preserving device to be sunk under the sea level or to allow it to float on the sea surface.

Fish farming or breeding at offshore and/or exposed locations, also known as ocean fish farming, concerns cultivation of fish in open waters and possibly away from the shore. This method of fish farming is gaining popularity and is being developed due to its potential to increase the supply of fish for human consumption and reduce the pressure on wild fish stocks.

There are some advantages associated with this type of fish farming, including: - increased fish production, because ocean fish farming allows for larger fish farms, which can produce more fish than traditional coastal farms, wherein this increased production can help meet the growing demand for seafood;

- improved fish health, because fish that is farmed in offshore and/or exposed environments have access to better water quality and some natural food sources, which can lead to healthier fish;

- reduced environmental impact, because ocean fish farming can reduce the impact of fish farming on coastal ecosystems since uncaptured fish waste and uneaten food can be collected and processed or can alternatively be dispersed over a larger area, thus reducing the risk of environmental pollution;

- access to many new areas and/or locations for fish breeding compared to near-shore and/or land-based fish farming; and

- job creation since ocean fish farming can contribute to creating jobs in coastal communities and contribute to local economies.

However, there are also some drawbacks associated with ocean fish farming, including:

- high start-up costs, because the initial investment required for ocean fish farming can be significant, as it often involves the construction of offshore platforms and/or cages / pens;

- exposure to environmental risks as ocean fish farms can be exposed to environmental risks such as storms, hurricanes, and extreme weather events, which can damage the fish farms and harm fish stocks;

- limited species selection, because not all fish species are suitable for ocean fish farming, wherein the most commonly farmed species are for example salmon, tuna and sea bass; and

- regulatory challenges as ocean fish farming may be subject to strict regulations and permits, which can increase the time and cost involved in establishing an ocean fish farm.

Ocean fish farming has the potential to increase fish production and improve fish health while reducing the environmental impact of fish farming on coastal ecosystems. However, the high start-up costs, exposure to environmental risks, limited species selection and regulatory challenges should be considered.

In 2050, it is expected that production of fish will increase by 50% from today's volume on a world basis. At the same time, there is pressure on breeders to operate in a more sustainable way, to reduce emissions, to avoid escape of fish, to be better at HSE (health, safety and environment) and to avoid destroying the landscape for the local population. This is a task that is almost impossible to achieve without the right technology.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present concept of the invention has been developed based on needs in the industry for more sustainable breeding and/or production of fish as well as needs for fish breeding or farming at new locations.

The present concept combats all these challenges as the fish breeding facility is located offshore and/or at exposed locations for example on the seabed or somewhere in the mass of water. This makes several challenges disappear:

- harsh weather conditions with high waves and strong currents are avoided;

- no or negligible lice numbers can be found deep in the sea / ocean;

- the cages / pens are built in a way that makes fish escape impossible or at least reduces it to a very minimum;

- the sludge can optionally be collected and pumped up to the sea surface or to land where it can be filtered into dry matter;

- all risk factors for offshore subsea installations will be taken into account.

The equipment (incl. cages / pens) according to the present invention can be installed on the bottom of the sea (between 15 m and 3000 m deep below the sea surface, and more preferably between 30 m and 300 m deep below the sea surface, for example, but not limited only to, around 80-110 m deep) and can be connected to a central system via a subsea installation with all necessary systems for fish health.

The cages / pens can also be placed in deeper seas in the mass of water (in the middle of the sea depth) by laying frame moorings for example in a depth range between 15 m and 3000 m deep below the sea surface, and more preferably between 30 m and 300 m deep below the sea surface, for example, but not limited only to, at a depth of approximately 80-110 m, placing the cages in these frames, and connecting the system to a buoy, a platform or a ship at the sea surface. The frame moorings can be secured to anchors on the bottom of the sea, i.e. the seabed, and/or to pontoons at the sea surface.

A hot stab-principle connection can be used for connecting/disconnecting of the cages with their necessary connectors to/from the docking frames with their respective connectors. When a cage is lowered and placed in a docking frame, all electronics, hydraulics, power and/or signal supply and different pipes and/or hoses can be connected automatically. All systems can then be immediately connected to a central system controlling all the processes by means of cables and/or pipes and/or hoses for power supply, data and signals, feed, dead fish collection, sludge pumping, air supply, etc.

The cages can be lifted from the docking frames to the sea surface using a lifting yoke arranged on a boat or ship. The lifting yoke holds the cage above the water in the boat or ship in which smolts are released or the fish is taken out for treatment or slaughter.

As mentioned, a buoy, a platform or a ship at the sea surface can be used as a central system for feed, sludge, dead fish, etc. Service vessels can for example be used to carry out all necessary operational tasks and operations. Alternatively, the central system can be arranged on land, and feed, sludge, dead fish, etc. can be pumped through pipes and/or hoses, as well as power and/or signal(s) and/or data can be supplied via cable(s) and/or wirelessly, wherein said pipes and/or hoses and/or cable(s) can be laid on the seabed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new cage system suitable for use under water and for fish breeding at offshore and/or exposed locations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fish farm comprising at least one new cage system suitable for fish breeding.

This is achieved with a cage system configured for a fish farm and comprising a mobile cage or pen and a fixed docking frame. The fixed docking frame can be arranged under a predetermined number of meters under the sea surface The cage / pen comprises a cage or pen frame and a net and is configured for breeding of fish therewithin. At least an upper area of the docking frame can be configured to receive and accommodate therein a lower area of the cage frame of the cage or pen. The cage / pen comprises a connection port arranged thereon, with at least one cage pipe or hose and/or at least one cage cable for the cage / pen. Said at least one cage pipe or hose and/or at least one cage cable can terminate in the connection port and can be configured for connection, through a connection port arranged on the docking frame, with at least one pipe or hose and/or at least one cable arranged external for the cage / pen. Said at least one external pipe or hose and/or at least one external cable can start from the connection port on the docking frame. The connection port on the cage and the connection port on the docking frame can be arranged in such a manner that, when the cage is lowered and placed in the docking frame, all necessary equipment and systems for fish health, such as for example electronics, hydraulics, power supply and different pipes and/or hoses for feed, dead fish, air supply, can be connected automatically by means of the connection port on the cage and the connection port on the docking frame.

The connection port on the cage and the connection port on the docking frame can be of hot stab-principle connection.

A waste or sludge collector can be arranged and connected to the docking frame thereunder, where the waste or sludge collector can be configured to be connected, at the bottom thereof, to a sludge pipe or hose.

The docking frame can be configured to be firmly fixed to the seabed by means of at least three base legs and/or at least one foundation.

Alternatively, the docking frame can be configured to be placed under said predetermined number of meters under the sea surface by means of a floating netting which is held substantially horizontal in one place by means of at least one anchor or mooring, with wire or chain, arranged onto or into the seabed, and/or at least one buoyancy floating on the sea surface, where the docking frame can be arranged onto or braided into the floating netting.

The cage or pen system can further comprise a rail mechanism arranged on several or all vertical beams of the cage frame and configured to lift the net of the cage / pen.

This is further achieved with a fish farm comprising at least one of said cage or pen system.

The fish farm can further comprise a terminal unit configured for receiving said at least one external pipe or hose and/or at least one external cable from each connection port on each docking frame of said at least one cage system. The terminal unit is further configured for connection, via a collective pipe or hose, to a central system configured to control all processes within the fish farm and all necessary facilities for fish health, such as for example electronics, hydraulics, a power supply source, different pipes and/or hoses and tanks or compartments for feed, dead fish, sludge, air supply, etc. The central system can be arranged on one of: a floating platform or buoy at the sea surface; a service vessel, a ship (90), and/or a land facility arranged onshore.

At least one crane can be arranged on a service vessel or on a ship. Said at least one crane can be configured to lower and/or lift the cage or pen by means of at least one of at least one lifting yoke and/or at least one lifting arrangement connected to a wire of said at least one crane.

The main features of this invention are given in the independent claims. Additional features of the present invention are given in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be further elucidated, by way of example(s), with reference to the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a cage system according to the invention. Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a fish farm including at least one cage system according to the invention.

Fig. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a fish farm including at least one cage system according to the invention.

Fig. 4 illustrates yet another embodiment of a fish farm including at least one cage system according to the invention.

Fig. 5 illustrates a different embodiment of a fish farm including at least one different cage system according to the invention.

Fig. 6 shows the cage according to the invention connected to a crane on a service vessel or a ship.

Fig. 7 shows another embodiment of the cage according to the invention. Fig. 8 illustrates yet another embodiment of the cage according to the invention.

Fig. 9 shows a different embodiment of the cage according to the invention. Fig. 10 shows yet another embodiment of the cage according to the invention. Figs. 11A-11B illustrate a process for loading of grown-up fish from the cage according to the invention onto a service or another vessel or ship.

Fig. 12 shows the cage according to the invention being towed by a service vessel or towboat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 illustrates a cage system (also called a pen system) according to the present invention. The cage system comprises a mobile or transportable cage / pen 10 and a fixed docking frame 20 arranged under a predetermined number of meters under the sea surface 200, where there is a suitable environment for fish breeding (incl. water with enough oxygen for the fish and/or, if necessary for specific fish species, enough sun light, as well as none or a limited number of dangerous predators, etc.) and also being at a level under the sea surface 200 where high waves and strong winds caused by a storm are reducing any negative influence for the fish and the cage or pen system. The docking frame 20 is configured to receive and accommodate therein the cage / pen 10 configured for breeding of fish therewithin. The volume of the net 10A of the cage / pen 10 can be, but is not limited only to, approximately 20000 m3.

The cage 10 comprises a hot stab connection (port) 11 arranged thereon and connected to an end of a dead fish pipe or hose 41 and to an end of a feed pipe or hose 42, both pipes or hoses 41, 42 arranged, in this embodiment, within the cage 10, wherein the other end of the dead fish pipe or hose 41 can be led to the bottom of the cage 10, and the other end of the feed pipe or hose 42 can be led to approximately the middle of the cage 10. The other end of the feed pipe or hose 42 can be led or taken to another suitable place within the cage 10, for example but not limited to approximately the top or upper area of the cage 10. At least one power and signal cable of the cage 10 can be connected to the hot stab connection (port) 11; for supplying e.g. power and/or signal(s) for light(s), camera(s), sensor(s), valve(s), etc.

The mobile or transportable cage 10 can be an enclosed (mobile) cage 10. The cage 10 comprises a cage frame 15 and a net being arranged to the cage frame 15 in order to keep the fish within the enclosed cage 10.

The docking frame 20 comprises a hot stab connection (port) 21 arranged on the docking frame 20 and connected to an end of a dead fish pipe or hose 31 and to an end of a feed pipe or hose 32. The other end of the dead fish pipe or hose 31 and the other end of the feed pipe or hose 32 are leading to a terminal unit 50 configured for multiple cage systems, namely configured to receive dead fish pipes or hoses 31 and feed pipes or hoses 32 from another cage systems, wherein all cage systems of the invention constitute a fish farm according to the invention.

At least one power and signal cable for supplying power to and data (e.g. control signals, and/or cage and/or fish conditions data) to/from each of the cage systems (and particularly to each of the cages 10) can be connected between the hot stab connection (port) 21 on the docking frame 20 and the terminal unit 50. The terminal unit 50 can be connected, by a collective pipe or hose 55, to a central system 85 configured to control all the processes within the fish farm (and particularly of each cage 10) by means of cables and/or pipes and/or hoses for power and/or signal supply, feed, dead fish collection, sludge pumping, air supply, etc. The collective pipe or hose 55 can be constituted of several pipes, hoses and/or cables. Power and signals / data can be supplied and/or collected by one single cable (i.e. one power and signal cable) or separately by e.g. two cables, i.e. one power cable and one data or signal cable. Alternatively or additionally, data and/or signal(s) and/or even power can be supplied wirelessly.

The docking frame 20 can comprise a waste or sludge collector 25 arranged thereto and thereunder. The waste or sludge collector 25 can comprise a waste bin 26 arranged at the bottom of the waste or sludge collector 25. A sludge pipe or hose 33 can connect the terminal unit 50 to the waste bin 26 or to the bottom of the waste or sludge collector 25.

The form of the receiving part of the docking frame 20 should be adjusted to correspond to the form of that part of the cage frame 15 that is to be suited or accommodated within the docking frame 20. For example, the upper receiving part of the docking frame 20 can be circular, pentagonal, octagonal, etc. and can be arranged to correspond to the lower part of the cage frame 15.

An air dome 12 can be arranged at the top of the cage 10. Air can be supplied to the air dome 12 via pipes or hoses starting from the central system 85 and going through the collective pipe or hose 55, the terminal unit 50 and the hot stab connections / connection ports 11, 21.

The air dome 12 can also be configured to serve as a lifting point for the cage 10. The lifting point 12 of the cage 10 is configured to be connected to a lifting yoke 60A (with a locking system) connected to a crane 75 by means of a wire 61. The locking system of the lifting yoke 60A is configured to be locked onto the air dome 12. The crane 75 can be arranged on a service vessel 70 or on a ship 90 (e.g. the ship can be a production ship with a feed storage compartment and usually called a feed barge).

According to one embodiment, the docking frame 20 can comprise at least three base legs 35 and can be arranged on the bottom of the sea, i.e. on the seabed 100. Each of the base legs 35 can at its bottom have a concrete foundation 36 standing on the seabed 100 or being embedded / buried partially or entirely into the seabed 100. Alternatively, the docking frame 20 can comprise and be arranged on at least one foundation 36 standing on the seabed 100 or being embedded / buried partially or entirely into the seabed 100. The terminal unit 50 for multiple cages 10 can also be arranged on the seabed 100 by means of concrete foundation(s) and/or legs.

Fig. 2 shows a fish farm according to the present invention. The fish farm comprises at least two cage systems with respective cages 10 and docking frames 20 arranged on the seabed 100. The central system 85 for controlling all operations can be arranged on a floating platform or buoy 80 at the sea surface 200.

A tank 86 filled with fish meal or feed can be arranged on the floating platform or buoy 80. Another tank 87 configured for receiving sludge from the cage systems can also be arranged on the floating platform or buoy 80. Facilities for turning or filtering the sludge into dry matter can be arranged on the floating platform or buoy 80. Yet another tank 88 configured for receiving dead fish from the cage systems can further be arranged on the floating platform or buoy 80. Alternatively, only one tank 87, 88 can be used for receiving sludge and dead fish therein, and then said facilities can filter both sludge and dead fish into dry matter. A power supply source 89 can be arranged on the floating platform or buoy 80. The power supply source 89 can be configured to supply power to each of the cage systems with the cages 10 and to the terminal unit 50.

At least one pump can be arranged on the floating platform or buoy 80. Said at least one pump can be configured to pump, continuously or at certain time intervals, fish meal or feed into each cage 10 of the fish farm through the collective pipe or hose 55, the terminal unit 50, the external feed pipe or hose 32, the hot stab connections / connection ports 11, 21 and the feed pipe or hose 42 of the cage 10. Said at least one pump can be configured for sucking or reverse pumping of dead fish from the cage 10 to the floating platform or buoy 80 or the central system 85 through the dead fish pipe or hose 41 of the cage 10, the hot stab connections / connection ports 11, 21, the external dead fish pipe or hose 31, the terminal unit 50 and the collective pipe or hose 55. The sludge from the waste or sludge collector 25 can be carried or transported by means of said at least one pump to the respective tank on the floating platform or buoy 80 through the sludge pipe or hose 33, the terminal unit 50 and the collective pipe or hose 55. As previously mentioned, air from above the sea surface 200 can be supplied to the air dome 12 of the cage 10.

The service vessel 70 with the crane 75 thereon can be arranged for lowering of the cage 10 (with yearling fish) onto the docking frame 20 and/or for lifting of the cage 10 (with grown-up fish) from the docking frame 20 up to the service vessel 70, thus for loading of the grown-up fish onto the service vessel 70 or onto a ship 90.

The floating platform or buoy 80 can be secured and anchored to the seabed 100 by means of at least one mooring 81 with wire or chain.

Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of the fish farm according to the invention. This fish farm comprises at least two cage systems with respective cages 10 and docking frames 20 arranged on the seabed 100. The central system 85 for controlling all operations can be arranged on a ship 90. The ship 90 can further comprise the feed tank or compartment 86, the sludge tank or compartment 87, and the dead fish tank or compartment 88, as well as the power supply source 89. Additionally, the ship 90 or the service vessel 70 can comprise a tank or compartment for grown-up fish (slaughtered or living) and another tank or compartment for baby or yearling fish to be placed in the cage 10. Alternatively, only one tank or compartment can be used for grown-up fish and/or yearling fish.

Furthermore, the ship 90 can comprise facilities (not shown) for treatment of the fish (which thereafter can be returned back in the deep) and for slaughtering and processing the grown-up fish into ready-for-consumption fish and at least one refrigeration or freezer room or compartment configured for storing of the processed or ready-for-consumption fish. The processed or ready-for-consumption fish can be packed before storing in said at least one refrigeration or freezer room or compartment.

A top end part of the collective pipe or riser 55 is held on the sea surface 200 by means of a buoyancy 321 (e.g. single point mooring / SPM), and the top end of the collective pipe 55 is configured to be connected and/or disconnected to the ship 90. The buoyancy 321 for the collective pipe 55 is secured and anchored to the seabed 100 by means of at least one anchor or mooring 311 with wire or chain.

Fig. 4 shows yet another embodiment of the fish farm according to the invention. This fish farm comprises at least two cage systems (three cage systems are illustrated here) with respective cages 10 and docking frames 20 arranged on the seabed 100. Here the collective pipe or hose 55 is led to a land facility arranged onshore. This land facility can comprise the central system 85 for controlling all operations, all the respective tanks or compartment 86, 87, 88, and the power supply source 89.

Fig. 5 shows a different embodiment of the fish farm according to the invention. This fish farm comprises at least two cage systems of a different type with respective cages 10 and docking frames 20 arranged somewhere in the mass of water at a certain depth. Here the docking frames 20 can be arranged onto or braided into a floating netting 300. The terminal unit 50 can also be arranged onto or braided into the floating netting 300. Alternatively, the terminal unit 50 can be arranged on the seabed 100 (not shown). The floating netting 300 can be held substantially in one place by means of at least one anchor or mooring 310, with wire or chain, arranged onto or into the seabed 100, and/or at least one buoyancy 320 floating on the sea surface 200.

The respective end of the collective pipe or hose 55 can be connected to the floating platform or buoy 80 (illustrated on fig.5) or alternatively to the ship 90, or alternatively can be led to the land facility onshore.

Fig. 6 shows the cage 10 according to the invention connected to the crane 75 arranged on the service vessel 70 or the ship 90 floating on the sea surface 200. The cage 10 is lifted partially or entirely from the water and can be further connected or held to the service vessel 70 or the ship 90 by holding or connecting means 65 of the service vessel 70 or the ship 90 for crowding the grown-up fish in the cage 10 and thereafter for pumping the fish through the connection port 11, arranged on the cage 10, and onto or into the service vessel 70 or the ship 90 for prospective storing and/or slaughtering, and/or optionally further processing. As show here, the central system 85 can be arranged not only on the ship 90, but alternatively the central system 85 can be arranged on the service vessel 70.

Fig. 7 illustrates a different embodiment of the cage 10 which can be built in a similar manner as in the previous example. The cage 10 contains however two lifting arrangements 60B arranged on opposite sides of the cage 10. Each of the lifting arrangements 60B can have at least one float 62. The cage 10 can be lifted to the water surface by using two tandem cranes 75 arranged on the service vessel 70 or on the ship 90. The float(s) 62 can be configured to be filled with air in a controlled manner so that the cage 10 would be kept on the water surface 200 or partially submerged. The cage 10 can then gradually start floating. The fish can then be taken out of the cage 10 and onto or into the service vessel 70 or the ship 90, as described above with respect to fig.6, while the cage 10 is still partially or half in the water.

Fig. 8 shows another embodiment of the cage 10. The net 10A of the cage 10 can be strapped to the cage frame 15B by use of at least one lock-and-release mechanism 63, called “Aqualock” and being patented by Fjord Solutions AS in NO 346504 B1 incorporated by reference herein. Here the cage frame 15B is firmly arranged onto the docking frame 20 and the net 10A of the cage 10 is detachable from the firmly arranged cage frame 15B. The lock-and-release mechanism(s) 63 can hold the net 10A fast to the cage frame 15B. Prior to lifting the net 10A to the water surface by means of the lifting yoke 60A and the lifting point 12 on top of the net 10A of the cage 10, the lock-and-release mechanism(s) 63 can be pulled by its(their) ropes and will then release the net 10A from the cage frame 15B. The net 10A becomes smaller in volume which makes the lifting operation much easier in offshore conditions. The net 10A of the cage 10 can comprise at least one reinforcement part or rope or wire 16 configured to strengthen the net 10A so that it will not break or be torn apart under the lifting operation.

Fig. 9 shows yet another embodiment of the cage 10. A top part of the net 10A of the cage 10 can be firmly fixed or arranged to a first cage frame 15A while the rest of the net 10A can be strapped to a second cage frame 15B by use of the lock-and-release mechanism(s) 63, wherein the second cage frame 15B is firmly arranged onto the docking frame 20. The net 10A of the cage 10 is thus detachable from the firmly arranged second cage frame 15B on the docking frame 20. The net 10A and the first cage frame 15A can be lifted to the water surface by means of the lifting yoke 60A and the lifting point 12 on top of the first cage frame 15A of the cage 10 and the net 10A. But before that, the lock-and-release mechanism(s) 63 should be pulled by its(their) ropes in order to release the net 10A and the first cage frame 15A from the second cage frame 15B. The net 10A will become smaller in volume which will make the lifting operation much easier in offshore conditions. However, this embodiment will allow to keep and hold some volume of the net 10A while it is being lifted. The net 10A of the cage 10 can comprise at least one reinforcement part or rope or wire 16 configured to strengthen the net 10A so that it will not break or be torn apart under the lifting operation.

Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of the cage 10 which is very similar to the first embodiment of the cage 10. However, here the cage frame 15 of the cage 10 can be made of PE (plastic) hoses or pipes which can be filled with air in a controlled manner while the cage 10 is being lifted. This will then allow the cage 10 to float on the water surface 200 or to be held partially submerged while fish is being emptied from the cage 10. Here it is shown that the waste or sludge collector 25 can be detachable from the docking frame 20. Additionally and/or alternatively, the waste or sludge collector 25 can have vents on a part of its areal or on its entire areal. For example, there can be used a waste or sludge collector 25 as patented by Fjord Solutions AS in patent NO 343211 B1 incorporated by reference herein. Additionally and/or alternatively, a lower part of the waste or sludge collector 25 can be firmly fixed to the docking frame 20, while an upper part of the waste or sludge collector 25 can be detachable from the docking frame 20.

Here the sludge pipe or hose 33 is shown as disconnected from the waste bin 26 when the waste or sludge collector 25 which can be arranged on the bottom of the cage 10, is being lifted up together with the cage 10. This operation can be done by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).

The cage 10 can be lifted to the water surface by means of the lifting yoke 60A and the lifting point 12 on top of the cage frame 15. Alternatively, two lifting arrangements 60B arranged on opposite sides of the cage 10 can be used for lifting the cage 10. The lifting arrangements 60B can comprise at least one shackle 60C for interaction with e.g. the remotely operated vehicle (ROV).

Figs. 11A and 11B illustrate a different process for loading of the grown-up fish from the cage 10 onto the service vessel 70, the ship 90 or another suitable ship or boat. Here the cage 10 can be lifted by said at least one crane 75, in this case two cranes 75, and held under the water surface 200. Then a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) 77 with a pump can connect to an outlet port or valve 46 of a cage bottom arrangement 45 arranged at the bottom of the cage 10. Then the grown-up fish and/or fish of other/smaller sizes can be pumped onto the service vessel 70 or the ship 90 via a collecting pipe or hose 76 connecting the ROV 77 with the service vessel 70 or the ship 90. In this embodiment here the dead fish pipe or hose 41 of the cage 10 can be connected from the connection port 11 on the cage 10 to the cage bottom arrangement 45. As illustrated, the dead fish pipe or hose 41 can be arranged outside the net 10A of the cage 10 (and not only inside the net 10A as shown e.g. on fig.1).

Alternatively, an ordinary vacuum hose 76 can be used for loading of the grown-up fish onto or into the ship 90 or the service vessel 70.

For crowding of the grown-up fish in order to ease the pumping of the fish, a rail mechanism 17 for the net 10A can be used in order to lift the net 10A of the cage 10 (see fig.11B). The rail mechanism 17 can be arranged on several or all vertical beams of the cage frame 15.

Here, as described with respect to fig.10, the cage frame 15 of the cage 10 can be made of PE (plastic) hoses or pipes which can be filled with air in a controlled manner in order to lift the cage 10 so that the cage 10 will be held several meters (e.g. but not limited to 3-7 meters) under the water surface 200, i.e. under the splash zone.

Fig. 12 shows the cage 10 according to the invention being towed by the service vessel 70 or a towboat / towing vessel. Here, as described with respect to fig.10, the cage frame 15 of the cage / pen 10 can be made of PE (plastic) hoses or pipes which can be filled with air in a controlled manner in order to lift the cage 10 so that the cage 10 will be able to float on the water surface 200 or to be held partially submerged while the cage 10 is being towed.

Additional modifications, alterations and adaptations of the present invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following patent claims.

Reference numerals - Components

10 A cage / a pen

10A A net of the cage 10

11 A hot stab connection / connection port on the cage 10

12 An air dome (serving as a lifting point for the cage 10)

15, 15A, 15B A cage frame

16 A reinforcement part or rope or wire

17 A rail mechanism for the net 10A

20 A docking frame

21 A hot stab connection / connection port on the docking frame 20

25 A waste or sludge collector

26 A waste bin at the bottom of the waste or sludge collector 25

31 A dead fish pipe or hose on the docking frame 20 side

32 A feed pipe or hose on the docking frame 20 side

33 A sludge pipe or hose at the bottom of the waste or sludge collector 25 35 A base leg of the docking frame 20

36 A concrete foundation 36 of the base leg 35 of the docking frame 20 41 A dead fish pipe or hose of the cage 10

42 A feed pipe or hose of the cage 10

45 A cage bottom arrangement

46 An outlet port or valve

50 A terminal unit for multiple cages 10

55 A collective pipe or hose

60A A lifting yoke with locking system

60B A lifting arrangement

60C A shackle of the lifting arrangement 60B

61 A wire of a crane 75

62 A float

63 A lock-and-release mechanism called “Aqualock”

65 Holding or connecting means of a service vessel 70 or a ship 90 70 A service vessel

75 A crane on the service vessel 70 or a ship 90

76 A collecting pipe or hose

77 A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with a pump

80 A floating platform or a buoy

81 A mooring of the floating platform 80

85 A central system

86 A feed tank

87 A sludge tank

88 A dead fish tank

89 A power supply source

90 A ship

100 A seabed

200 A sea surface

300 A floating netting (also called a floating grid or a moored grid) 310 An anchor of the floating netting 300

320 A buoyancy of the floating netting 300

311 An anchor for the collective pipe or hose 55

321 A buoyancy for the collective pipe or hose 55

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A cage system configured for a fish farm and comprising a mobile cage (10) and a fixed docking frame (20) arranged under a predetermined number of meters under the sea surface (200), the cage (10) comprising a cage frame (15) and a net (15A) and being configured for breeding of fish therewithin,

wherein at least an upper area of the docking frame (20) is configured to receive and accommodate therein a lower area of the cage frame (15) of the cage (10),

wherein the cage (10) comprises a connection port (11) arranged thereon, with at least one cage pipe or hose (41, 42) and/or at least one cage cable for the cage (10), said at least one cage pipe or hose (41, 42) and/or at least one cage cable terminating in the connection port (11) and being configured for connection, through a connection port (21) arranged on the docking frame (20), with at least one pipe or hose (31, 32) and/or at least one cable arranged external for the cage (10), said at least one external pipe or hose (31, 32) and/or at least one external cable starting from the connection port (21) on the docking frame (20),

wherein the connection port (11) on the cage (10) and the connection port (21) on the docking frame (20) are arranged in such a manner that, when the cage (10) is lowered and placed in the docking frame (20), all necessary equipment and systems for fish health, such as for example electronics, hydraulics, power supply and different pipes and/or hoses (31, 32, 41, 42) for feed, dead fish, air supply, are connected automatically by means of the connection port (11) on the cage (10) and the connection port (21) on the docking frame (20).

2. The cage system according to claim 1, wherein the connection port (11) on the cage (10) and the connection port (21) on the docking frame (20) are of hot stabprinciple connection.

3. The cage system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a waste or sludge collector (25) is arranged and connected to the docking frame (20) thereunder, the waste or sludge collector (25) configured to be connected, at the bottom thereof, to a sludge pipe or hose (33).

4. The cage system according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the docking frame (20) is configured to be firmly fixed to the seabed (100) by means of at least three base legs (35) and/or at least one foundation (36).

5. The cage system according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the docking frame (20) is configured to be placed under said predetermined number of meters under the sea surface (200) by means of a floating netting (300) which is held substantially horizontal in one place by means of at least one anchor or mooring (310), with wire or chain, arranged onto or into the seabed (100), and/or at least one buoyancy (320) floating on the sea surface (200), wherein the docking frame (20) is arranged onto or braided into the floating netting (300).

6. The cage system according to any one of claims 1-5, further comprising a rail mechanism (17) arranged on several or all vertical beams of the cage frame (15) and configured to lift the net (10A) of the cage (10).

7. A fish farm comprising at least one cage system according to any one of claims 1-6.

8. The fish farm according to claim 7, further comprising a terminal unit (50) configured for receiving said at least one external pipe or hose (31, 32) and/or at least one external cable from each connection port (21) on each docking frame (20) of said at least one cage system, and further configured for connection, via a collective pipe or hose (55), to a central system (85) configured to control all processes within the fish farm and all necessary facilities for fish health, such as for example electronics, hydraulics, a power supply source (89), different pipes and/or hoses and tanks or compartments (86, 87, 88) for feed, dead fish, sludge, air supply, etc., wherein the central system (85) is arranged on one of: a floating platform or buoy (80) at the sea surface (200); a service vessel (70), a ship (90), and/or a land facility arranged onshore.

9. The fish farm according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein at least one crane (75) is arranged on a service vessel (70) or on a ship (90), wherein said at least one crane (75) is configured to lower and/or lift the cage (10) by means of at least one of at least one lifting yoke (60A) and/or at least one lifting arrangement (60B) connected to a wire (61) of said at least one crane (75).

PATENTKRAV

1. Et merdsystem som er konfigurert for et fiskeoppdrettsanlegg og omfattende en mobil merd (10) og en fast / stasjonær forankrings- eller dokkingsramme (20) som er anordnet under et forutbestemt antall meter under havoverflaten (200), idet merden (10) omfatter en merdramme (15) og et nett (15A) og er konfigurert for oppdrett av fisk deri,

hvor minst ett øvre område av dokkingsrammen (20) er konfigurert for mottak og romming av et nedre område av merdrammen (15) til merden (10),

hvor merden (10) omfatter en tilkoblingsport (11) som er anordnet derpå, med minst ett bur- eller merdrør eller -slange (41, 42) og/eller minst én bur- eller merdkabel for merden (10), idet nevnte minst ene bur- eller merdrør eller -slange (41, 42) og/eller minst én kabel ender eller terminerer i tilkoblingsporten (11) og er konfigurert for forbindelse, gjennom en tilkoblingsport (21) anordnet på dokkingsrammen (20), med minst ett rør eller slange (31, 32) og/eller minst én kabel anordnet eksternt for merden (10), idet nevnte minst ene eksterne rør eller slange (31, 32) og/eller minst én ekstern kabel starter fra tilkoblingsporten (21) på dokkingsrammen (20),

hvor tilkoblingsporten (11) på merden (10) og tilkoblingsporten (21) på dokkingsrammen (20) er anordnet på en slik måte at når merden (10) er senket og plassert i dokkingsrammen (20), vil alt nødvendig utstyr og systemer for fiskehelse, slik som for eksempel elektronikk, hydraulikk, kraftforsyning og forskjellige rør og/eller slanger (31, 32, 41, 42) for fôr, dødfisk, lufttilførsel, være koblet automatisk til ved hjelp av tilkoblingsporten (11) på merden (10) og tilkoblingsporten (21) på dokkingsrammen (20).

2. Merdsystemet ifølge krav 1, hvor tilkoblingsporten (11) på merden (10) og tilkoblingsporten (21) på dokkingsrammen (20) er av hot-stab-forbindelsesprinsipp.

3. Merdsystemet ifølge krav 1 eller krav 2, hvor en avfalls- eller slamoppsamler (25) er anordnet og koblet til dokkingsrammen (20) derunder, idet avfalls- eller slamoppsamleren (25) er konfigurert til å bli koblet, ved bunnen derav, til et slamrør eller -slange (33).

4. Merdsystemet ifølge ethvert av krav 1-3, hvor dokkingsrammen (20) er konfigurert til å være fastfestet til havbunnen (100) ved hjelp av minst tre bunn- eller baseben (35) og/eller minst ett fundament (36).

5. Merdsystemet ifølge ethvert av krav 1-3, hvor dokkingsrammen (20) er konfigurert til å plasseres under det forutbestemte antall meter under havoverflaten (200) ved hjelp av en flytende netting (300) som holdes hovedsakelig horisontalt på ett sted ved hjelp av minst ett anker eller fortøyning (310), med vaier eller kjetting, anordnet oppå eller inne i havbunnen (100), og/eller minst en oppdrift (320) som flyter på havoverflaten (200), hvor dokkingsrammen (20) er anordnet på eller flettet inn i den flytende nettingen (300).

6. Merdsystemet ifølge ethvert av krav 1-5, videre omfattende en skinnemekanisme (17) som er anordnet på flere eller alle vertikale bjelker til merdrammen (15) og er konfigurert til å løfte nettet (10A) til merden (10).

7. Et fiskeoppdrettsanlegg som omfatter minst ett merdsystem ifølge et hvilket som helst av krav 1-6.

8. Fiskeoppdrettsanlegget ifølge krav 7, videre omfattende en terminalenhet (50) som er konfigurert for mottak av nevnte minst ene eksterne rør eller slange (31, 32) og/eller den minst ene eksterne kabel fra hver tilkoblingsport (21) på hver dokkingsramme (20) av det minst ene merdsystemet, og videre konfigurert for tilkobling, via et samlerør eller -slange (55), til et sentralt system (85) som er konfigurert til å styre eller kontrollere alle prosesser innenfor fiskeoppdrettsanlegget og alle nødvendige fasiliteter for fiskehelse, slik som for eksempel elektronikk, hydraulikk, en kraftforsyningskilde (89), forskjellige rør og/eller slanger og tanker / beholdere eller rom (86, 87, 88) for fôr, dødfisk, slam, lufttilførsel, osv., hvor det sentrale systemet (85) er anordnet på én av: en flytende plattform eller bøye (80) ved havoverflaten (200); et service- eller driftsfartøy (70), et skip (90) og/eller et landanlegg som er arrangert på land.

9. Fiskeoppdrettsanlegget ifølge krav 7 eller krav 8, hvor minst én kran (75) er anordnet på et service- eller driftsfartøy (70) eller på et skip (90), hvor den minst ene kranen (75) er konfigurert til å senke og/eller løfte merden (10) ved hjelp av minst ett av minst ett løfteåk (60A) og/eller minst ett løftearrangement (60B) som er koblet til en vaier (61) til den minst ene kranen (75).

Drawings

Priority

No priority

Patent classes

IPC classes

A01K 61/60

CPC classes

A01K 61/60

Y02A 40/81

Citations

CN 109329154 A (A)

CN 214546580 U (U)

WO 2006/021010 A1 (A1)

JP H11206265 A (A)

Applicants, owners and inventors

Owners

Baring Ocean AS

Gravane 12

4610 KRISTIANSAND S

NO (KRISTIANSAND Municipality, Agder county)

Org. number: 927094088

Inventors

Ole Kristoffer Torsvik

Bålymoen 35

4521 LINDESNES

NO (LINDESNES Municipality, Agder county)

Agent

BRYN AARFLOT AS

Stortingsgata 8

0161 OSLO

NO (OSLO Municipality, Oslo county)

Org. number: 979993269

Reference: 142736/NDN

Status history

Payment history

Oppositions and appeals

No oppositions or appeals

Administrative limitation

No administrative limitation

Liens and licences

No liens or licenses registered

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Only events from 2024.03.04 and onwards are shown.