Key information

Title: System and method for detaching or inactivating ectoparasites attached to fish and/or removing ectoparasites from fish
Application number: 20230787
Case type: National
Status: 27.10.2025 Patent meddelt (B1)
Filed: 11.07.2023
Effective date: 11.07.2023
Publicly available: 13.01.2025
Next annual fee due: 31.07.2027
Applicant: SALMONBAY FISH HEALTH HOLDINGS AS (NO)
Owner: SALMONBAY FISH HEALTH HOLDINGS AS (NO)
Inventor: Kari Stave Vågnes (NO) et al.
Agent: ACAPO ONSAGERS AS (NO)
Granted: 27.10.2025
Patent number: 349181
Expiry date: 11.07.2043

Abstract and drawing

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The present invention relates to an aqueous liquid, system and method for detaching, inactivating and/or killing ectoparasites that are attached to fish and/or removing 5 ectoparasites from fish, which comprises contacting the fish with the aqueous liquid, wherein the aqueous liquid has a pH of at least 9.0.

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Date

Date	Doc. No.	Process	Case number	In/Out	Journal description	To/from
31.10.2025	13-01	Saksbehandling	20230787(349181)	UT	PT Registreringsbrev nasjonal patent (15) (PT20230787)
30.07.2025	12-01	Saksbehandling	20230787	UT	Intention to grant	ACAPO AS
02.06.2025	11-01	Saksbehandling	20230787	UT	PT Varsel om betaling av første årsavgift (3317) (PT20230787)	ACAPO AS
11.04.2025	10-07	Saksbehandling	20230787	INN	P20562NO00 norske krav	ACAPO AS
11.04.2025	10-06	Saksbehandling	20230787	INN	P20562NO00 Endret kravsett - april 2025 - renskrevet	ACAPO AS
11.04.2025	10-05	Saksbehandling	20230787	INN	P20562NO00 Endret kravsett - april 2025 - merket	ACAPO AS
11.04.2025	10-04	Saksbehandling	20230787	INN	P20562NO00 besvarelse	ACAPO AS
11.04.2025	10-03	Saksbehandling	20230787	INN	P20562NO00 Beskrivelse for trykking - renskrevet	ACAPO AS
11.04.2025	10-02	Saksbehandling	20230787	INN	P20562NO00 Beskrivelse for trykking - merket	ACAPO AS
11.04.2025	10-01	Saksbehandling	20230787	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	ACAPO AS
19.02.2025	09-02	Saksbehandling	20230787	INN	P20562NO00 fristforlengelse	ACAPO AS
19.02.2025	09-01	Saksbehandling	20230787	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	ACAPO AS
20.11.2024	08-01	Saksbehandling	20230787	UT	Substantive examination	ACAPO AS
12.11.2024	07-02	Saksbehandling	20230787	INN	P20562PNO00 - Nye tegninger	ACAPO AS
12.11.2024	07-01	Saksbehandling	20230787	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	ACAPO AS
10.05.2024	06-04	Saksbehandling	20230787	INN	P20562NO00Amended claims - marked-up version 100524	ACAPO AS
10.05.2024	06-03	Saksbehandling	20230787	INN	P20562NO00 Response to NIPO 100524	ACAPO AS
10.05.2024	06-02	Saksbehandling	20230787	INN	P20562NO00 Amended claims - clean version 100524	ACAPO AS
10.05.2024	06-01	Saksbehandling	20230787	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	ACAPO AS
25.01.2024	05-02	Saksbehandling	20230787	UT	PT report 08:47:25
25.01.2024	05-01	Saksbehandling	20230787	UT	20230787_1806362_PT 08 Eng	ACAPO AS
17.08.2023	04-03	Saksbehandling	20230787	INN	P20562NO00 Overdragelseserklæring signert	ACAPO AS
17.08.2023	04-02	Saksbehandling	20230787	INN	P20562NO00 Generell Fullmakt signert	ACAPO AS
17.08.2023	04-01	Saksbehandling	20230787	INN	Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)	ACAPO AS
12.07.2023	03-01	Saksbehandling	20230787	UT	Formal Examination 1	ACAPO AS
12.07.2023	02-01	Saksbehandling	20230787	UT	Infobrev til oppfinner	ACAPO AS
11.07.2023	01-03	Saksbehandling	20230787	INN	2023-07-11 Patent drawings for filing	ACAPO AS
11.07.2023	01-02	Saksbehandling	20230787	INN	2023-07-11 Patent application for filing	ACAPO AS
11.07.2023	01-01	Saksbehandling	20230787	INN	Søknadsskjema Patent	ACAPO 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

349181

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a system and method for detaching, inactivating and/or 5 killing ectoparasites that are attached to fish; removing ectoparasites from fish;

preventing ectoparasites from attaching to fish; reducing the amount or number of ectoparasites on fish and/or in water housing fish; preventing, inhibiting or treating infestation or infection of ectoparasites on fish; and/or preventing reduced growth of fish that are susceptible to infestation or infection of ectoparasites and/or fish that are 10 infested or infected by ectoparasites. More specifically, the present invention relates to such a system and method comprising contacting the fish with an aqueous liquid having a high pH.

Background of the invention

Global demand is increasing for dietary fish protein. Fish farming, or pisciculture, which involves commercial breeding of fish to obtain fish products as food, is becoming more and more important. While fish farming is practised worldwide, the fish farming industry in Norway has become one of the most important industries and exporters of the country. Norway is the 20 world largest producer of salmon today. The industry is under considerable pressure to produce more fish, while at the same time as the production is vulnerable to infections and infestations from parasites.

In the production of farmed fish, ectoparasites such as fish lice can cause widespread 25 damage to fish, reduced growth rate, significantly reduced productivity and in severe cases complete collapse of fish stocks. For example, the salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) is a small parasitic crustacean with an ability to penetrate the slime layer of the salmon. It eats the salmon skin, slime and blood and create wounds in the fish. This exposes the salmon to other bacterial and viral infections that can lead to diseases and death.

30 Ichthyobodosis, also known as costiasis, is another common parasitic disease caused by the protozoan parasite Ichthyobodo necator which affects gills of fish, leading to health issues in aquaculture.

CN 113142125, WO 2012148283 and US2018255749 are prior art documents describing 35 systems and methods for removing parasites from fish.

Numerous control measures and chemical interventions are used to try to minimize the impact of ectoparasites on fish populations. Many countries recommend or require 349181

monitoring programs to identify dangerous levels of parasite infections and a number of chemical agents are known for use against infections. However, good husbandry techniques alone are generally insufficient to keep parasite levels below those causing health or environmental concerns, thus the use of parasiticides to control infections is widespread.

5 Unfortunately, such parasiticides are often highly toxic to the aquatic environment and must be rigorously controlled to prevent their escape. Conventional parasiticides can also suffer from resistance problems. Furthermore, these compounds are often toxic to humans and other animals that eat the fish and this limits the use of parasiticides shortly before harvesting of farmed fish. The cost of conventional parasiticides is also considerable and may be ranked 10 as one of the key factors affecting the profitability of fish farming operations.

Anti-parasitic agents are typically administered in one of two ways - infected fish are either bathed in a treatment liquid of the drug or are fed the drug in their food. Bath treatments may administer a parasiticide to infected fish but such treatments may be time and labor intensive, 15 and it is also difficult to treat a large area of farm quickly to prevent re-infection. The use of chemical treatments may also pose an environmental risk to the local marine ecosystem. Infeed treatments are simpler and less time intensive to administer and generally pose less of an environmental risk. However, it can be difficult to tailor the drug dose because of differences in feed uptake by the fish.

Consequently, it would be desirable to provide new and improved compositions, systems and methods that can be used prevent, inhibit, treat and/or overcome the harmful effects of ectoparasites on fish. Further, it would be desirable to provide such compositions, systems and methods which are environmentally friendly, free from and/or not associated with any 25 resistance problems, less time and labor intensive, enable rapid treatment of fish and treatment of large populations of fish, prevent reduced growth rate of fish, prevent reduced growth rate of fish, and enable reduction of the amount or number of ectoparasites on fish and in water housing said fish.

30 Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method that are suitable to fight ectoparasites on fish.

35 It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system and method by which ectoparasites attached to fish can be detached, inactivated and/or killed and removed.

349181

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system and method by which the amount or number of ectoparasites that are attached to fish and/or that are present in water housing fish can be reduced.

5 It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system and method by which ectoparasites can be prevented from attaching to fish.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system and method by which infestation or infection of ectoparasites on fish can be prevented, inhibited or treated. 10

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system and method by which the reduced growth of fish that are susceptible to infestation or infection of ectoparasites and/or fish that are infested or infected by ectoparasites can be prevented.

15 The present invention leads to several advantages. The present invention makes it possible to loosen or detach, inactivate and/or kill ectoparasites attached to fish, to remove ectoparasites from the fish, to prevent ectoparasites from attacking and attaching to fish, and to reduce the number of ectoparasites that are attached to fish and/or present in water housing fish, without harming the host fish and whereby the harmful effects of 20 ectoparasites on fish can be prevented, inhibited and/or overcome.

Further, the present invention is environmentally friendly, free from and/or not associated with any resistance problems, enable rapid treatment of fish and treatment of large populations of fish without adversely affecting the health of the fish.

The present invention also makes it possible to prevent, inhibit and treat infestation or infection of ectoparasites on fish, and to prevent reduced growth of fish that are susceptible to infestation or infection of ectoparasites and/or fish that are infested or infected by ectoparasites, whereby the health, life and growth of fish will be improved.

Accordingly, this description mentions:

- an aqueous liquid for use in a method of detaching, inactivating and/or killing ectoparasites that are attached to fish;

- an aqueous liquid for use in a method of removing ectoparasites from fish; 35 - an aqueous liquid for use in a method of preventing ectoparasites from attaching to fish;

- an aqueous liquid for use in a method of reducing the amount or number of ectoparasites attached to fish and/or present in water housing fish;

349181

- an aqueous liquid for use in a method of preventing, inhibiting or treating infestation or infection of ectoparasites on fish; and

- an aqueous liquid for use in a method of preventing reduced growth of fish susceptible to infestation or infection of ectoparasites and/or fish that are infested 5 or infected by ectoparasites;

which comprises contacting the fish with aqueous liquid, wherein the aqueous liquid has a pH of at least 9.0.

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to:

10 - a system for detaching, inactivating and/or killing ectoparasites that are attached to fish;

- a system for removing ectoparasites from fish;

- a system for preventing ectoparasites from attaching to fish;

- a system for reducing the amount or number of ectoparasites attached to fish 15 and/or present in water housing fish; and

- a system for preventing, inhibiting or treating infestation or infection of ectoparasites on fish; and

- a system for preventing reduced growth of fish that are infested or infected by ectoparasites;

20 wherein said system comprises:

a) an inlet for fish and water, wherein ectoparasites are attached to fish;

b) a first draining unit for separating fish and water;

c) a first tank for holding an aqueous liquid having a pH of at least 10.5, wherein the first tank has:

25 (i) an inlet for fish from the first draining unit;

(ii) an inlet for aqueous liquid; and

(iii) an outlet for fish and aqueous liquid;

d) a second draining unit for separating fish and aqueous liquid; and e) means for measuring and adjusting pH of the aqueous liquid; and 30 optionally at least one filter, arranged downstream of the second draining unit, for filtering off or separating ectoparasites from the aqueous liquid.

In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to:

- a method of detaching, inactivating and/or killing ectoparasites that are attached 35 to fish;

- a method of removing ectoparasites from fish;

- a method of preventing ectoparasites from attaching to fish;

- a method of reducing the amount or number of ectoparasites that are attached to fish and/or present in water housing fish;

349181

- a method of preventing, inhibiting or treating infestation or infection of ectoparasites on fish; and

- a method of preventing reduced growth of fish that are infested or infected by ectoparasites;

5 which comprises contacting the fish with aqueous liquid, wherein the aqueous liquid has a pH of at least 10.5.

These and other objects and aspects of the invention will be described in further detail hereinafter.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention is described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

15 Figs. 1, 2 and 4 are schematic side view illustrations of embodiments of the system according to the invention.

Figs.3 and 5 are schematic top view illustrations of embodiments of the system according to the invention.

Description of reference numbers

The following reference numbers refer to the drawings:

Reference Number Component

1 Inlet

2 First draining unit

3 First filter box

3.1 Filter

3.2 Collection vessel

3.3 Outlet for water

4 First tank for holding aqueous liquid

5 Sensor for pH, oxygen and/or temperature

5.1 pH sensor and injector

6 Second draining unit

7 Second filter box

8 First pipe

9 Second tank

10 Second pipe

11 Outlet for treated fish

349181

Detailed description of the invention

5 The present invention generally relates to (i) an aqueous liquid for use in a method of, and (ii) a method of:

- detaching, inactivating and/or killing ectoparasites attached to fish;

- removing ectoparasites from fish;

- preventing ectoparasites from attaching to fish;

10 - reducing the amount or number of ectoparasites that are attached to fish and/or present in water housing fish;

- preventing, inhibiting or treating infestation or infection of ectoparasites on fish;

and/or

- preventing reduced growth of fish that are infested or infected by ectoparasites; 15 which comprises contacting the fish with an aqueous liquid having a pH of at least 10.5.

The present invention further generally relates to a system for:

- detaching, inactivating and/or killing ectoparasites attached to fish;

- removing ectoparasites from fish;

20 - preventing ectoparasites from attaching to fish;

- reducing the amount or number of ectoparasites that are attached to fish and/or that are present in water housing fish; and/or

- preventing, inhibiting or treating infestation or infection of ectoparasites on fish;

and/or

25 - preventing reduced growth of fish that are infested or infected by ectoparasites;

wherein the system comprises:

a) an inlet for fish and water, wherein ectoparasites are attached to fish;

b) a first draining unit for separating fish and water;

c) a first tank for holding an aqueous liquid having a pH of at least 10.5, wherein the first 30 tank has:

(i) an inlet for fish from the first draining unit;

(ii) an inlet for aqueous liquid; and

(iii) an outlet for fish and aqueous liquid;

d) a second draining unit for separating fish and aqueous liquid;

35 e) and means for measuring and adjusting pH of the aqueous liquid; and optionally at least one filter, arranged downstream of the second draining unit, for filtering off or separating ectoparasites from the aqueous liquid.

349181

Ectoparasites according to the invention include copepod parasites, and ectoparasites of the family Caligidae, the genus Ichthyobodo, or Ichthyobodo sp., also known as Costia, and Paramoeba perurans, also known as Neoparamoeba perurans. Preferably, the ectoparasites of the invention are alive, i.e. living ectoparasites, and the treatment of the invention has the 5 effect that ectoparasites attached to fish can be detached, inactivated and/or killed and removed from the fish. The invention may be applied in relation to sea lice, e.g. of the genera Lepeophtheirus, Pseudocaligus apodus and/or Caligus, especially Lepeophtheirus salmonis, Caligus rogercresseyi, Caligus chiastos, Caligus clemensi, Caligus epidemicus and/or Caligus elongates. Other ectoparasites which may be targeted according to the 10 invention include branchurian fish lice of the order Arguloida, e.g. Argulus species such as Arguloida foliaceus and Arguloida coregoni, and species of leech, e.g. Piscicola geometra. Examples of preferred ectoparasites of the invention include those which may infect farmed fish, especially farmed salmon, e.g. Lepeophtheirus salmonis and Caligus rogercresseyi, Ichthyobodo sp., or Ichthyobodo, e.g. Costia necatrix, also known as Ichthyobodo 15 necator and Ichthyobodo pyriformis, which may cause the disease Ichthyobodiasis (or Costiasis), and Paramoeba perurans, or Neoparamoeba perurans, which may cause the disease amoebic gill disease (AGD).

The terms “inactivate”, “inactivated” and “inactivating”, as used herein, include alleviating, 20 inhibiting the progress of, reversing, abrogating or at least partly stopping an effect or condition, or one or more symptoms or complications associated with said effect or condition, of ectoparasites attached to fish.

Fish or fish species according to the present invention include those that are susceptible to 25 infestation or infection by an ectoparasite, as defined herein, including fish species which do not mount an immune response to reject attachment of the ectoparasite. Preferably, the fish of the invention is alive, i.e. living fish. The fish may be seawater fish, freshwater fish, and fish that naturally migrate between seawater and fresh water. Preferably, the fish are present in water, and the water may be selected from seawater, brackish water and fresh water, 30 preferably seawater. By the term “housing”, as used herein, is meant that the water, e.g.

seawater, brackish water or fresh water, contains or harbors the fish and/or the ectoparasites.

Examples of suitable fish according to the invention include salmonids (Salmonidae), e.g. Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), Pacific salmon, e.g. silver salmon or coho salmon 35 (Oncorhynchus kisutch), Oncorhynchus keta and Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, trout, e.g.

rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), brown trout and sea trout (Salmo trutta), char, e.g. arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus), carp (family Cyprinidae), e.g. Common carp (Cyprinus carpio), Asian carp, e.g. Hypophthalmichthys nobi) and Indian carp, e.g. Gibelion catla, 349181

Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus cirrhosus, and pike, e.g. Northern pike (Esox lucius), as well as bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyi). Preferably, the fish is a salmonid selected from the group consisting of Atlantic salmon, Pacific salmon, silver salmon, trout and char.

5 The aqueous liquid to be used in the system and method of the invention, herein also referred to as the “treatment liquid”, ”aqueous treatment liquid”, may have a pH of at least 10.5, preferably at least 11.0, or at least 11.5. The aqueous liquid may have a pH of up to 13.0, or up to 12.8, suitably up to 12.6, and preferably up to 12.5. The pH of the aqueous liquid is preferably around 12.0. Preferably, the aqueous liquid of the invention contains water and 10 one or more bases. The aqueous liquid may contain any type of water, or H2O, e.g. distilled water, deionized water, tap water, brackish water and sea water. Examples of suitable bases include Arrhenius bases, i.e., substances that dissociates in water to form hydroxide (OHí) ions, that increase the concentration of OHí ions in an aqueous liquid or solution, e.g. hydroxides of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, preferably alkali metal hydroxides.

15 Hydroxides of alkali metals, e.g. lithium hydroxide (LiOH), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH), and caesium hydroxide (CsOH), are usually very soluble in water, making it easy to provide aqueous solutions thereof. Hydroxides of alkaline earth metals, e.g. calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) and magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2), are less soluble in water, whereby aqueous suspensions thereof are usually provided. Examples of 20 suitable alkali metal hydroxides of the invention include sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH), preferably sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Preferably, the aqueous liquid of the invention contains water and one or more bases comprising sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH), and mixtures thereof, preferably sodium hydroxide (NaOH).

Preferably, the one or more bases are present in the aqueous liquid in an amount to provide the pH as defined herein, e.g. a pH in a range of from 10.5 to 13.0, or from 10.5 to 12.6, preferably from 11.0 to 12.5, or from 11.5 to 12.5.

30 The aqueous liquid to be used in the system and method of the invention may be an aqueous solution, aqueous suspension or aqueous emulsion, preferably an aqueous solution. The aqueous liquid may contain one or more salts. Examples of suitable salts include sodium chloride, and calcium, potassium, and magnesium salts of chloride and sulfate and many trace elements found in natural seawater. The aqueous liquid of the invention may have a 35 salinity of from 0 to 5%, usually from 3 to 4%, or about 3.5%, i.e., the aqueous liquid may contain one or more salts in an amount of 0 to 5% by weight, usually from 3 to 4% by weight, or about 3.5% by weight.

349181

The time of contact between the aqueous liquid and fish and/or ectoparasite of the invention may vary widely depending on several factors, e.g. the pH of the aqueous liquid and the number of contacts between the aqueous liquid and fish and/or ectoparasite. Usually, a shorter time of contact may be applied when the aqueous liquid has a higher pH, as defined, 5 and a longer time of contact may be applied when the aqueous liquid has a lower pH, as defined. Usually, the time of contact between the aqueous liquid and fish and/or ectoparasite of the invention may be at least 5, seconds, suitably at least 15 seconds, or at least 20 seconds, or at least 30 seconds, or at least 60 seconds, or at least 120 seconds, and the time of contact may be up to 5 minutes, or up to 4 minutes, or up to 2 minutes. Further, the 10 fish and/or ectoparasite may be contacted with the aqueous liquid of the invention more than once, e.g. 2, 3, 4, 5, or more than 5 times, whereby the time of each contact may be as defined herein.

The present invention may be practiced at a range of temperatures. Usually, the invention is 15 carried out in situ, e.g. in coastal, river, lake, estuary or sea waters, at ambient temperature.

Preferably, the temperature is between 0 and 25 °C, e.g. between 1 and 20 °C, or between 2 and 15 °C, or between 4 and 10 °C.

The present invention is typically carried out in fresh water or seawater under the usual 20 conditions for raising the fish species in question. For example, the pH of the water may be between 6 and 8.5, e.g. usually between 6 and 8, such as about 7.5

The present invention may be practiced with or without the use of a further anti-parasitic agent. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is carried out without the use of a 25 further anti-parasitic agent. In another preferred embodiment, the invention is carried out with the use of a further anti-parasitic agent. Such further anti-parasitic agents may be present in the aqueous liquid of the invention, whereby the fish and/or ectoparasites are contacted with the aqueous liquid containing water, one or more bases, one or more further anti-parasitic agents, and optionally one or more salts. Additionally, or alternatively, the fish and/or 30 ectoparasites may be contacted with one or more further anti-parasitic agents separately, either before or after contacting the fish and/or ectoparasites with the aqueous liquid of the invention. Examples of suitable anti-parasitic agents include bathing agents such as organophosphates, e.g. azamethiphos and dichlorvos; pyrethroids, e.g. deltamethrin and cypermethrin; carbamates e.g. carbaryl; and/or in-feed agents such as avermectins, e.g.

35 emamectin benzoate.

According to the invention, ectoparasites may be filtered off or separated from the aqueous liquid. Accordingly, the system of the invention may comprise at least one filter, arranged 349181

downstream of the first draining unit and upstream of the first tank, for separating ectoparasites from the water and/or fish.

According to the system of the invention, fish is contacted with the aqueous liquid having a 5 pH as defined herein. Further, the system comprise means for measuring pH of the aqueous liquid comprising one or more pH sensors. The one or more pH sensors may be present in the first tank, in the second draining unit and/or at the outlet downstream of the filter, preferably in the first tank.

10 The system of the invention may comprise means for adjusting pH of the aqueous liquid comprising one or more containers containing a base dissolved in an aqueous phase, and an outlet. The one or more containers containing a base, as defined herein, dissolved in an aqueous phase and having an outlet may be connected to the first tank.

15 According to the system, the first tank may have an inlet for fish from the first draining unit in proximity of the inlet for aqueous liquid, or the first tank may have one inlet for fish from the first draining unit and for the aqueous liquid.

The system of the invention may further comprise a processor receiving signals from the one 20 or more pH sensors and regulating means for adjusting pH of the aqueous liquid, in order to adjust the pH of the aqueous liquid and/or a pump to adjust the flow of aqueous liquid through the first tank.

The system of the invention may further comprise a second tank containing aqueous liquid, 25 as defined herein, for controlling and regulating the circulating aqueous liquid. The system may further comprise one or more sensors and one or more adjustment means for oxygen and temperature. The one or more sensors and one or more adjustment means for oxygen and temperature may be present in the first tank, in the second tank and/or connected to the circulating aqueous liquid.

The system of the invention may comprise means for recirculating aqueous liquid in the system. Suitably, the means comprise one or more pumps. Preferably, the one or more pumps bring aqueous liquid and fish from the first tank to the second draining unit and through the second filter box containing one of more filters; bring aqueous liquid, that has 35 passed through one or more filters, via the first pipe to the second tank; and/or bring aqueous liquid from the second tank via the second pipe to an inlet for aqueous liquid of the first tank.

The system of the invention may comprise one or more pumps for circulating aqueous liquid in the system. Preferably, one pump may be used for pumping fish and water into the system; 349181

one pump may be used for pumping water and fish to a first draining unit; one pump may be used for pumping water containing loose ectoparasites to a first filter box, one pump may be used for pumping filtered water to an outlet; one pump may be used for pumping aqueous liquid and fish from a first tank to a second draining unit; one pump may be used for pumping 5 treated fish to an outlet; one pump may be used for pumping aqueous liquid separated from ectoparasites through a first pipe to a second tank; one pump may be used for pumping regulated aqueous liquid through a second pipe to a first tank for holding aqueous liquid for treatment of fish.

10 The system of the invention may further comprise one or more tanks, one or more pH sensors, one or more regulating means for adjusting pH of the aqueous liquid, and one or more pumps for bringing aqueous liquid having a pH as defined herein out of the system and back to water. Before bringing the aqueous liquid out of the system, the pH of the aqueous liquid may be regulated to a level that is lower and may be close to the pH of the water. This 15 may be achieved by addition of an acid to the aqueous phase. Examples of suitable acids include hydrochloric acid (HCl).

Figures

The invention will now be illustrated with reference to the following non-limiting Figures in 20 which Figures 1, 2 and 4 are schematic side view illustrations of embodiments of the system according to the invention, and Figures 3 and 5 are schematic top view illustrations of embodiments of the system according to the invention.

Referring to Figs.1-5, one embodiment of the present invention comprises an inlet 1 for water 25 and fish being pumped into the system. Ectoparasites are attached to the fish and may be present in the water housing the fish. Water and fish enters a first draining unit 2 where fish is separated from the water containing loose ectoparasites. Water containing loose ectoparasites enters a first filter box 3 having one or more filters 3.1 where it is filtered. Loose ectoparasites are filtered off and brought to a collection vessel 3.2, thus being separated 30 from the water. Filtered water is brought out of the system via an outlet 3.3. Fish separated from the water enters a first tank 4, provided for holding an aqueous liquid having a pH as defined herein, for being contacted and treated with the aqueous liquid. The first tank 4 has an inlet for aqueous liquid having a pH as defined herein. Aqueous liquid is brought from a second tank 9 via a second pipe 10 to the inlet of the first tank 4. The aqueous liquid is 35 monitored with one or more sensors 5 for controlling pH, oxygen and/or temperature, arranged in the first tank 4 and/or in the second tank 9.

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Fish so treated are separated from the aqueous liquid in a second draining unit 6. By the treatment, ectoparasites are detached from the fish, and the treated fish are free from or have a significantly reduced number of ectoparasites still attached. The treated fish are brought to an outlet 11. The aqueous liquid containing ectoparasites detached from the fish 5 pass through a second filter box 7 containing one of more filters where the ectoparasites are filtered out and collected in collection vessel 3.2. Aqueous liquid separated from the ectoparasites is pumped through the first pipe 8 to a second tank 9 where its composition is regulated, in particular the pH value is adjusted to a desired value. Regulated aqueous liquid is recirculated and pumped through a second pipe 10 back to the first tank 4 for holding 10 aqueous liquid for treatment of fish.

One embodiment of the present invention comprises one or more filters 3.1 are arranged downstream of the first draining unit and upstream of the first tank, for separating loose ectoparasites from water. One or more sensors 5 are present in the first tank 4 and/or in the 15 second tank 9. At least one pH sensor and injector 5.1 is connected to the second tank 9 and to a container containing a base dissolved in an aqueous phase. The first tank 4 has an inlet for fish received from the first draining unit 2 in proximity of an inlet for aqueous liquid received from the second tank 9 via the second pipe 10, or the first tank 4 has one inlet for fish received from the first draining unit 2 and for the aqueous liquid received from the second 20 tank 9 via the second pipe 10. A processor receives signals from the pH sensor and injector 5.1 and regulates and adjusts the pH of the aqueous liquid in the second tank 9. The processor also regulates a pump to adjust the flow of aqueous liquid through the first tank 4.

One embodiment of the present invention comprises means for recirculating aqueous liquid 25 in the system. The means comprise one or more pumps. The one or more pumps bring aqueous liquid and fish from the first tank 4 to the second draining unit 6 and through the second filter box 7 containing one of more filters; bring aqueous liquid, that has passed through one or more filters, via the first pipe 8 to the second tank 9; and bring aqueous liquid from the second tank 9 via the second pipe 10 to the inlet for aqueous liquid of the first tank 30 4.

One embodiment of the present invention comprises one or more pumps for pumping water, fish and aqueous liquid, and for circulating aqueous liquid in the system, preferably the one or more pumps comprise:

35 (i) one pump for pumping fish and water to the inlet 1;

(ii) one pump for pumping water and fish to the first draining unit 2;

(iii) one pump for pumping water containing loose ectoparasites to the first filter box 3;

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(iv) one pump for pumping filtered water to the outlet 3.3;

(v) one pump for pumping aqueous liquid and fish from the first tank 4 to the second draining unit 6;

(vi) one pump for pumping treated fish to the outlet 11;

5 (vii) one pump for pumping aqueous liquid separated from ectoparasites through the first pipe 8 to the second tank 9; and/or

(viii) one pump for pumping regulated or pH adjusted aqueous liquid through the second pipe 10 to the first tank 4 for holding aqueous liquid for treatment of fish.

Examples

The invention is further illustrated in the following non-limiting examples. Parts and % relate to parts by weight and % by weight, respectively, and all solutions are aqueous, unless 15 otherwise stated.

Example 1

The effect of a treatment for removing ectoparasites from fish was investigated. Salmon lice 20 (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) was used as the ectoparasites, i.e., the parasite causing most harm in Salmonid aquaculture.

A colorimetric method of measuring metabolism in Lepeophtheirus salmonis was developed and used in this Example. This method detects respiration of the lice by a change in 25 colour.The colorimetric method was based on the Magni’s method for determination of bicarbonate and carbonate and thereby determining CO2 from salmon lice respiration after treatment. In the colorimetric method, use is made of an indicator based on a two solution composition where solution A is a pH indicator with thymol blue and cresol red and solution B contains sodium bicarbonate and potassium chloride. When mixed, the indicator will detect 30 increase in CO2 in the solution by detecting change in pH related to carbonic acid. In this case CO2 will be related to respiration of the louse. This method was used to evaluate the response of Lepeophtheirus salmonis after being subjected to treatment with aqueous liquids having different pH values.

35 In this Example, a test on Lepeophtheirus salmonis not attached to a host was performed.

Lepeophtheirus salmonis of the naïve strain LS-Gulen was obtained from the Industrial Laboratory in Bergen. A test group of twelve (12) salmon lice was subjected to an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) having a pH of 12 for 30 seconds. A control group of 349181

twelve (12) salmon lice was subjected to an aqueous solution or water bath having a pH of 6.5 for 30 seconds.

The salmon lice of the test group exposed to the aqueous liquid of pH 12 showed a non-5 detectable respirational activity for one hour after this treatment, whereas the salmon lice of the control group showed a normal respiration, as determined by the colorimetric method described.

Example 2

The general procedure of Example 1 was essentially repeated to make a safety test on Atlantic salmon.

In the safety test, the exposure of salmon to an aqueous solution of the invention was 15 performed. The aqueous solution of the invention was a bath of seawater containing sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and having a pH 12, which treatment liquid hereinafter is referred to as “the pH 12 bath”. The size of the salmon used in the trial was approximately 120 - 150 grams. The trial consisted of three groups of six (6) salmon. The salmon was treated individually. Group 1 was treated with the pH 12 bath for 30 seconds. Group 2 was treated with the pH 20 12 bath for 60 seconds. Group 3 was subjected to normal seawater for 60 seconds, i.e. a control group, or non-treated salmon.

After treatment the fish was killed with an anaesthesia overdose. The salmon individuals were then examined externally and tissue samples from eyes, gills and skin fixated on 4% 25 formalin. The fixated material was embedded in paraffin, sectioned and HE stained. The sections were then examined microscopically.

The post-mortem examination found no difference between salmon that had been treated with the pH 12 bath, i.e., treated salmon, and the salmon subjected to normal seawater, i.e., 30 non-treated salmon. Similarly, the histopathology examination found no difference between treated and non-treated salmon.

At the same time, safety tests with the same layout (n=6, x3 groups) were also performed on salmon that post treatment were moved to a bath contain normal flow through seawater from 35 the farm, were both the control fish as well as the treated salmon were held for up to an hour in separate tanks. The salmon in both groups showed no difference in the behaviour of fish exposed to the aqueous solution of the invention and the non-treated fish, i.e., both before, during or after the treatment.

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In summary, the tests showed no difference in the behaviour of fish exposed to the aqueous solution of the invention and the non-treated fish that were in seawater.

Example 3

The general procedures of Examples 1 and 2 were essentially repeated to make a test on Lepeophtheirus salmonis attached to a host.

The efficacy of the invention was evaluated in a field study on a commercial aquaculture site, 10 under normal production conditions, where the farm had a medium to high challenge pressure of salmon lice. The site was going to treat the population of Atlantic salmon against salmon lice in a few days, by using Thermolicer.

The layout of the test included one small tank of anaesthetic water, one tank of treatment 15 water with pH 12 (containing sodium hydroxide (NaOH)) for the test group, as well as one tank with running water to rinse of the treatment water from the skin, eyes, gills etc. post treatment. The fish was netted from the sea cage over to the anaesthetic tank, where they were euthanized by an anaesthesia overdose pre treatment. Test and control groups were treated equally pre treatment. Treatment was performed with 30 seconds, 45 seconds and 20 60 seconds exposure time, with 10 fish being tested per treatment group (n=30), and 10 fish for the untreated control group. Both lice in attached stages and movable stages where tested post treatment with the colorimetric assay, as well as lice that had fallen off the salmon in the treatment water.

25 Salmon lice were gently removed from the Atlantic salmon, and transported to the test glass where they were tested in the colorimetric assay as described above. Up until one hour post treatment, the same results as in Example 1 were observed, where the test group showed little to no respirational activity, compared to the control group. However, soon after the trial, an increase of metabolic activity was observed, as determined by the colorimetric assay. 30

It is evident from the results of the present Examples that salmon lice of all stages are metabolically inactivated when being exposed to an aqueous solution according to the invention, also when attached to the host fish during the exposure. The lice are immobilized, easily detached, deactivated and removed from the fish and/or had fallen off the fish, and 35 showed a limited, little, or no respirational activity up until one hour post treatment.

Claims

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Claims

1. System for detaching, inactivating and/or killing ectoparasites attached to fish; 5 removing ectoparasites from fish; reducing the amount or number of ectoparasites on fish and/or in water housing fish; preventing ectoparasites from attaching to fish; preventing, inhibiting or treating infestation or infection of ectoparasites on fish; and/or preventing reduced growth of fish that are infested or infected by ectoparasites; wherein the system comprises:

10 a) an inlet for fish and water (1), wherein ectoparasites are attached to the fish;

b) a first draining unit (2) for separating fish and water;

c) a first tank (4) for holding an aqueous liquid having a pH of at least 10.5, wherein the first tank has:

(i) an inlet for fish from the first draining unit;

15 (ii) an inlet for aqueous liquid; and

(iii) an outlet for fish and aqueous liquid;

d) a second draining unit (6) for separating fish and aqueous liquid; and e) means for measuring and adjusting pH of the aqueous liquid; and optionally at least one filter, arranged downstream of the second draining unit 20 6), for filtering off or separating ectoparasites from the aqueous liquid.

2. Method of detaching, inactivating and/or killing ectoparasites attached to fish;

removing ectoparasites from fish; reducing the amount or number of ectoparasites on fish and/or in water housing fish; preventing ectoparasites from 25 attaching to fish; preventing, inhibiting or treating infestation or infection of ectoparasites on fish; and/or preventing reduced growth of fish that are infested or infected by ectoparasites; by using a system according to claim 1, which comprises contacting the fish with the aqueous liquid, wherein the aqueous liquid has a pH of at least 10.5.

3. System according to claim 1, or method according to claim 2, wherein the aqueous liquid is an aqueous solution.

4. , System according to any one of claims 1 and 2, or method according to any one of 35 claims 2 to 3, wherein the aqueous liquid comprises one or more bases, suitably sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH) or mixtures thereof, preferably sodium hydroxide (NaOH).

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5. System according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 4, or method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the aqueous liquid has a pH in a range of from 10.5 to 12.6, preferably from 11.0 to 12.5, or from 11.5 to 12.5.

5 6. System according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 5, or method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the water is fresh water, brackish water or sea water, preferably seawater.

7. System according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 6, or method according to any one 10 of claims 2 to 6, wherein the aqueous liquid contains distilled water, deionized water, tap water, fresh water brackish water and seawater, preferably seawater.

8. System according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 7, or method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the ectoparasite is a Caligidae, Ichthyobodo, Paramoeba 15 perurans, or a mixture thereof, preferably a Caligidae selected from the group consisting of Lepeophteirus, Pseudocaligus, Caligus, and mixtures thereof.

9. System according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 8, or method according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the ectoparasite is a salmon louse, Lepeophtheirus 20 salmonis or Caligus rogercresseyi.

10. System according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 9, or method according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the fish is susceptible to infestation or infection by an ectoparasite.

11. System according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 10, or method according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the fish is selected from Atlantic salmon, Pacific salmon, silver salmon, trout, char, carp, pike, and bluefin tuna, preferably Atlantic salmon, Pacific salmon, silver salmon, trout or char.

12. System according to any one of claims 1 and 2 to 11, or method according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein the fish is a salmonid (Salmonidae).

13. System according to any one of claims 1 and 2 to 12, or method according to any one 35 of claims 2 to 12, wherein it contains or is practiced or applied with a further antiparasitic agent.

14. System according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 13, or method according to any one of claims 2 to 13, wherein a time of contact between the fish and aqueous liquid is at 40 least 5 seconds, or at least 15 seconds, or at least 20 seconds, or at least 30 seconds, 349181

or at least 60 seconds, or at least 120 seconds, up to 5 minutes, or up to 4 minutes, or up to 3 minutes, or up to 2 minutes.

15. System according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 14, or method according to any one 5 of claims 2 to 14, wherein it further comprises filtering off ectoparasites from the aqueous liquid.

16. System according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 15, wherein it further comprises at least one filter (3.1), arranged downstream of the first draining unit (2) and upstream 10 of the first tank (4), for separating ectoparasites from the water and/or at least one filter, arranged downstream of the second draining unit (6), for filtering off or separating ectoparasites from the aqueous liquid, preferably at least one filter, arranged downstream of the second draining unit (6), for filtering off or separating ectoparasites from the aqueous liquid.

17. System according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 16, wherein it comprises means for measuring pH of the aqueous liquid comprising one or more pH sensors (5, 5.1).

18. System according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 17, wherein it comprises one or 20 more pH sensors (5, 5.2), preferably the one or more pH sensors (5, 5.2) are present in the first tank (4) and/or in the second tank (9).

19. System according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 18, wherein it comprises means for adjusting pH of the aqueous liquid, preferably the means for adjusting pH of the 25 aqueous liquid comprise one or more containers containing a base dissolved in an aqueous phase, and having an outlet or injector.

20. System according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 19, wherein it comprises one or more containers containing a base dissolved in an aqueous phase and having an 30 outlet or injector connected to the first tank (4) or to the second tank, preferably to the second tank (9).

21. System according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 20, wherein the first tank (4) has an inlet for fish from the first draining unit (2) in proximity of the inlet for aqueous 35 liquid, or the first tank (4) has one inlet for fish from the first draining unit (2) and for the aqueous liquid.

22. System according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 21, wherein it further comprises a second tank (9) containing aqueous liquid for controlling and regulating the circulating 40 aqueous liquid.

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23. System according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 22, wherein it further comprises a processor receiving signals from one or more pH sensors and injectors (5.1) and regulating the means for adjusting pH of the aqueous liquid to adjust the pH of the aqueous liquid and/or one or more pumps to adjust the flow of aqueous liquid through 5 the first tank (4), the second tank (9) and/or the system.

24. System according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 23, wherein it further comprises sensors (5) and adjustment means for oxygen and temperature, preferably the sensors (5) and adjustment means for oxygen and temperature are present in the 10 first tank (4), in the second tank (9) and/or connected to the circulating aqueous liquid.

25. System according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 24, wherein it further comprises means for recirculating aqueous liquid in the system, preferably the means comprise one or more pumps, more preferably the one or more pumps bring aqueous liquid 15 and fish from the first tank (4) to the second draining unit (6) and through the second filter box (7) containing one of more filters; bring aqueous liquid, that has passed through one or more filters, via the first pipe (8) to the second tank (9); and/or bring aqueous liquid from the second tank (9) via the second pipe (10) to an inlet for aqueous liquid of the first tank (4).

26. System according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 25, wherein it further comprises a one or more pumps for pumping water, fish and aqueous liquid, and for circulating aqueous liquid in the system, preferably the one or more pumps comprise:

(i) one pump for pumping fish and water to the inlet (1);

25 (ii) one pump for pumping water and fish to the first draining unit (2);

(iii) one pump for pumping water containing loose ectoparasites to the first filter box (3);

(iv) one pump for pumping filtered water to the outlet (3.3);

(v) one pump for pumping aqueous liquid and fish from the first tank (4) to the 30 second draining unit (6);

(vi) one pump for pumping treated fish to the outlet (11);

(vii) one pump for pumping aqueous liquid separated from ectoparasites through the first pipe (8) to the second tank (9); and/or

(viii) one pump for pumping regulated or pH adjusted aqueous liquid through the 35 second pipe (10) to the first tank (4) for holding aqueous liquid for treatment of fish.

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1. System for å løsne, inaktivere og/eller avlive ektoparasitter festet til fisk; fjerne ektoparasitter fra fisk; redusere mengden eller antallet ektoparasitter på fisk og/eller i vann inneholdende fisk; forhindre ektoparasitter fra å angripe fisk; forhindre, inhibere eller behandle innfesting eller infeksjon av ektoparasitter på 5 fisk; og/eller forhindre redusert vekst av fisk som er angrepet eller infisert med ektoparasitter; idet systemet omfatter:

a) et innløp for fisk og vann (1), idet ektoparasitter er festet til fisken;

b) en første dreneringsenhet (2) for å separere fisk og vann;

c) en første tank (4) for å holde en vandig væske med en pH på minst 10.5, idet 10 den første tanken har:

(i) et innløp for fisk fra den første dreneringsenheten;

(ii) et innløp for vandig væske; og

(iii) et utløp for fisk og vandig væske;

d) en andre dreneringsenhet (6) for å separere fisk og vandig væske; og

15 e) midler for å måle og justere pH av den vandige væsken; og

eventuelt i det minste et filter, arrangert nedstrøms for den andre dreneringsenheten (6), for å filtrere av eller separere ektoparasitter fra den vandige væsken.

20 2. Framgangsmåte for å løsne, inaktivere og/eller avlive ektoparasitter festet til fisk;

fjerne ektoparasitter fra fisk; redusere mengden eller antallet ektoparasitter på fisk og/eller i vann inneholdende fisk; forhindre ektoparasitter fra angripe fisk; forhindre, inhibere eller behandle innfesting eller infeksjon av ektoparasitter på fisk; og/eller forhindre redusert vekst av fisk som er angrepet eller infisert med 25 ektoparasitter; ved å bruke et system i samsvar med krav 1, som omfatter å kontakte fisken med den vandige væsken, idet den vandige væsken har en pH på minst 10.5.

3. System i samsvar med krav 1, eller framgangsmåte i samsvar med krav 2, idet den 30 vandige væsken er en vandig løsning.

4. System i samsvar med et av kravene 1 og 2, eller framgangsmåte i samsvar med et av kravene 2 til 3, idet den vandige væsken omfatter en eller flere baser, eksempelvis natriumhydroksid (NaOH), kaliumhydroksid (KOH) eller blandinger av 35 disse, fortrinnsvis natriumhydroksid (NaOH).

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5. System i samsvar med et av kravene 1 og 3 til 4, eller framgangsmåte i samsvar med et av kravene 2 til 4, idet den vandige væsken har en pH i området fra 10.5 til 12.6, fortrinnsvis fra 11.0 til 12.5, eller fra 11.5 til 12.5.

5 6. System i samsvar med et av kravene 1 og 3 til 5, eller framgangsmåte i samsvar med et av kravene 2 til 5, idet vannet er ferskvann, brakkvann eller sjøvann, fortrinnsvis sjøvann.

7. System i samsvar med et av kravene 1 og 3 til 6, eller framgangsmåte i samsvar 10 med et av kravene 2 til 6, idet vandig væske inneholder destillert vann, avionisert vann, springvann, ferskt vann, brakkvann og sjøvann, fortrinnsvis sjøvann.

8. System i samsvar med et av kravene 1 og 3 til 7, eller framgangsmåte i samsvar med et av kravene 2 til 7, idet ektoparasitten er en Caligidae, Ichthyobodo, 15 Paramoeba perurans, eller en blanding av disse, fortrinnsvis en Caligidae valgt fra gruppen bestående av Lepeophteirus, Pseudocaligus, Caligus, og blandinger av det.

9. System i samsvar med et av kravene 1 og 3 til 8, eller framgangsmåte i samsvar 20 med et av kravene 2 til 8, idet ektoparasitten er en lakselus, Lepeophtheirus salmonis eller Caligus rogercresseyi.

10. System i samsvar med et av kravene 1 og 3 til 9, eller framgangsmåte i samsvar med et av kravene 2 til 9, idet fisken er mottakelig for innfesting eller infeksjon av en 25 ektoparasitt.

11. System i samsvar med et av kravene 1 og 3 til 10, eller framgangsmåte i samsvar med et av kravene 2 til 10, idet fisken er valgt fra atlantisk laks, stillehavslaks, coholaks, ørret, røye, karpe, gjedde og makrellstørje, fortrinnsvis atlantisk laks, 30 stillehavslaks, coho-laks, ørret eller røye.

12. System i samsvar med et av kravene 1 og 2 til 11, eller framgangsmåte i samsvar med et av kravene 2 til 11, idet fisken er en salmonide (Salmonidae).

35 13. System i samsvar med et av kravene 1 og 2 til 12, eller framgangsmåte i samsvar med et av kravene 2 til 12, idet det inneholder eller er praktisert eller benyttet med et ytterligere antiparasittmiddel.

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14. System i samsvar med et av kravene 1 og 3 til 13, eller framgangsmåte i samsvar med et av kravene 2 til 13, idet kontakttiden mellom fisk og den vandige væsken er i det minste 5 sekunder, eller i det minste 15 sekunder, eller i det minste 20 sekunder, eller i det minste 30 sekunder, eller i det minste 60 sekunder, eller i det minste 120 5 sekunder, opptil 5 minutter, eller opptil 4 minutter, eller opptil 3 minutter, eller opptil 2 minutter.

15. System i samsvar med et av kravene 1 og 3 til 14, eller framgangsmåte i samsvar med et av kravene 2 til 14, idet det ytterligere omfatter avfiltrering av ektoparasitter 10 fra den vandige væsken.

16. System i samsvar med et av kravene 1 og 3 til 15, idet det ytterligere omfatter i det minste et filter (3.1), arrangert nedstrøms for den første dreneringsenheten (2) og oppstrøms for den første tanken (4), for separere ut ektoparasitter fra vannet og/eller 15 idet minste et filter, arrangert nedstrøms for den andre dreneringsenheten (6), for å filtrere av eller separere ektoparasitter fra den vandige væsken, fortrinnsvis i det minste et filter, arrangert nedstrøms for den andre drenerings-enheten (6), for å filtrere av eller separere ektoparasitter fra den vandige væsken.

20 17. System i samsvar med et av kravene 1 og 3 til 16, idet det omfatter midler for å måle pH i den vandige væsken omfattende en eller flere pH sensorer (5, 5.1).

18. System i samsvar med et av kravene 1 og 3 til 17, idet den omfatter en eller flere sensorer (5, 5.2), fortrinnsvis er den eller de pH sensorene (5, 5.2) tilstede i den 25 første tanken (4) og/eller i den andre tanken (9).

19. System i samsvar med et av kravene 1 og 3 til 18, idet det omfatter midler for å justere pH i den vandige væsken, fortrinnsvis omfatter midlene for å justere pH i den vandige væsken en eller flere beholdere som inneholder en base løst i en vandig 30 vase, og et utløp eller injektor.

20. System i samsvar med et av kravene 1 og 3 til 19, idet det omfatter en eller flere beholdere som inneholder en base løst i en vandig fase og som har et utløp eller injektor forbundet til den første tanken (4) eller til den andre tanken, fortrinnsvis til 35 den andre tanken (9).

21. System i samsvar med et av kravene 1 og 3 til 20, idet den første tanken (4) har et innløp for fisk fra den første dreneringsenheten (2) i nærhet av innløpet for vandig

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væske, eller den første tanken (4) har et innløp for fisk fra den første dreneringsenheten (2) og for den vandige væsken.

22. System i samsvar med et av kravene 1 og 3 til 21, idet det ytterligere omfatter en 5 andre tank (9) inneholdende vandig væske for å styre og regulere den sirkulerende vandige væsken.

23. System i samsvar med et av kravene 1 og 3 til 22, idet det ytterligere omfatter en prosessor som mottar signal fra den ene eller flere sensorer og injektorer (5.1) og 10 regulerer midlene for å justere pH i den vandige væsken for å justere pH av den vandige væsken og/eller en eller flere pumper for å justere strømmen av vandig væske gjennom den første tank (4), den andre tanken (9) og/eller systemet.

24. System i samsvar med et av kravene 1 og 3 til 23, idet det ytterligere omfatter 15 sensorer (5) og justeringsmidler for oksygen og temperatur, fortrinnsvis er sensorene (5) og justeringsmidlene for oksygen og temperatur tilstede i den første tanken (4), i den andre tanken (9) og/eller forbundet til den sirkulerende vandige væsken.

25. System i samsvar med et av kravene 1 og 3 til 24, idet det ytterligere omfatter 20 midler for å resirkulere vandig væske i systemet, fortrinnsvis omfatter midlene en eller flere pumper, mer foretrukket en eller flere pumper som bringer vandig væske og fisk fra den første tanken (4) til den andre dreneringsenheten (6) og gjennom den andre filteboksen (7) som inneholder ett eller flere filter; bringer vandig væske, som har passert gjennom ett eller flere filter, via et første rør (8) til den andre tanken (9); 25 og/eller bringer vandig væske fra den andre tanken (9) via det andre røret (10) til et innløp for vandig væske i den første tanken (4).

26. System i samsvar med et av kravene 1 og 3 til 25, idet det ytterligere omfatter en eller flere pumper for å pumpe vann, fisk og vandig væske, og for å sirkulere vandig 30 væske i systemet, fortrinnsvis omfatter den eller de pumpene:

(i) en pumpe for pumping av fisk og vann til innløpet (1);

(ii) en pumpe for pumping av vann og fisk til den første dreneringsenheten (2); (iii) en pumpe for pumping av vann inneholdende løse ektoparasitter til den første filterboksen (3);

35 (iv) en pumpe for pumping av filtrert vann til utløpet (3.3);

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(v) en pumpe for pumping av vandig væske og fisk fra den første tanken (4) til den andre dreneringsenheten (6);

(vi) en pumpe for pumping av behandlet fisk til utløpet (11);

(vii) en pumpe for pumping av vandig væske separert fra ektoparasitter gjennom 5 det første røret (8) til den andre tanken (9); og/eller

(viii) en pumpe for pumping av regulert eller pH justert vandig løsning gjennom det andre røret (10) til den første tanken (4) som holder vandig væske for behandling av fisk.

Drawings

Priority

No priority

Patent classes

IPC classes

A01K 61/13

A01K 63/04

CPC classes

A01K 61/13

A01K 63/04

Citations

CN 113142125 A (A)

WO 2012148283 A1 (A1)

US 2018255749 A1 (A1)

NO 20160406 A1 (A1)

CN 103478069 A (A)

Applicants, owners and inventors

Owners

SALMONBAY FISH HEALTH HOLDINGS AS

c/o Arne Ulven, Riplegården 63

5161 LAKSEVÅG

NO (BERGEN Municipality, Vestland county)

Org. number: 924191228

Inventors

Kari Stave Vågnes

Wolffsgate 18

5006 BERGEN

NO (BERGEN Municipality, Vestland county)

Kristian Ulven

Utsikten 20

5162 LAKSEVÅG

NO (BERGEN Municipality, Vestland county)

Hans-Magne Strømme

Skålvikmarka 44

5357 FJELL

NO (ØYGARDEN Municipality, Vestland county)

Kåre Glesnes

Hytto 12

5366 MISJE

NO (ØYGARDEN Municipality, Vestland county)

Agent

ACAPO ONSAGERS AS

Edvard Griegs vei 1

5059 BERGEN

NO (BERGEN Municipality, Vestland county)

Org. number: 932214636

Reference: P20562NO00

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Only events from 2024.03.04 and onwards are shown.

System and method for detaching or inactivating ectoparasites attached to fish and/or removing...

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