Over time, the platform and its shellfish blocks steadily collects sediment which harbours parasites such as mud worms or flatworms. This can foul shellfish, and places stress on the shellfish when feeding. Again, this is a labour intensive process.Īlso, being relatively fixed in place, the shellfish can, at times, be exposed to sediments and detritus being carried on the prevailing current. When harvesting the mature shellfish, the blocks must be removed, and each shellfish individually harvested from the block. The labour required to facilitate establishment of the platform can be intensive. This can require a number of divers with SCUBA gear if the platform is established in relatively deep water. The platform must be placed upon the seabed, and the shellfish blocks transported and installed into the platform. The platform, while allowing cultivation of a large number of shell fish, presents a number of issues in its use. The platform retains shellfish blocks which provides surfaces on which the shellfish grow. 511126, which describes a platform which is installed over the seabed. One such method is disclosed in New Zealand Patent No. Consumers are becoming more aware of the impact of unsustainable harvesting of seafood, and choosing to purchase food which has been harvested in a sustainable manner.įor this reason, a number of marine and freshwater farms are devoted to the cultivation of shellfish, using a number of different methods. Overfishing of shellfish in their natural environment is also a concern. Labour costs and time can also be a factor in not being able to harvest from their natural environment. This is due to the accessibility of their breeding and living environments, as well as varying abundance site to site. It can be uneconomic to collect shellfish from their natural environment. Oysters in particular, are a particularly valuable crop.
The shellfish industry is worth many millions of dollars to the New Zealand economy, and considerable resources and effort goes into the cultivation of shellfish. Shellfish such as oysters and mussels are a highly regarded seafood, both in New Zealand and overseas. The invention has particular application to the cultivation and harvesting of shellfish. The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for aquaculture.
§371 to Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Application No. The present invention also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to New Zealand Patent Application No. The present invention claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
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