AU2012202698B2

AU2012202698B2 - Abalone Habitat Reef

Info

Publication number: AU2012202698B2
Application number: AU2012202698A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ryan Paik; Sang-Hyun Paik
Original assignee: HAEJOO Pty Ltd
Current assignee: HAEJOO Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2012-05-09
Filing date: 2012-05-09
Publication date: 2015-03-05
Anticipated expiration: 2032-05-09
Also published as: AU2012202698A1

Abstract

Abstract Disclosed is an abalone habitat reef for creating abalone resources to be installed on the sea floor so as to produce abalone resources, and more particularly to an abalone habitat reef, which can get sufficient surface area required for colonization, growth and development of sea algae and can get sufficient narrow corner space between walls and columns of the artificial reef, which may be formed as a wedge-type space slanted less than 30 degrees required for hiding, growth and development of abalone, in which the abalone can safely hide and grow up with avoiding the eyes of predators until a juvenile abalone becomes a grown-up abalone, which allows some drifting algae becoming the prey of abalone to freely gather toward the internal space of the abalone habitat reef via a plurality of openings and a plurality of flow windows, which can be formed as a rational and cost-effective structure for allowing many populations of abalone per unit area to live therein. [1/51 [Fig 1] 5 10Oa 5 -5

Description

ABALONE HABITAT REEF Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention 5 The present invention relates generally to an abalone habitat reef for creating abalone resources. In particular, the invention relates to an abalone habitat reef to be installed on the sea floor, which has sufficient surface area required for colonization, growth and development of sea algae and sufficient narrow corner space required for hiding, growth and development of abalone, which allows some drifting algae becoming the prey of abalone to freely gather 0 toward the internal space of the abalone habitat reef, and which can be formed as a rational and cost-effective structure for allowing many populations of abalone per unit area to live therein. In a preferred embodiment, the abalone habitat reef has a main body comprising a plurality of columns and a reef wall enclosing them, and a plurality of openings at a lower portion of the reef wall and a flow window at a middle portion of the reef wall, although the 5 invention is not limited to this embodiment. 2. Description of the Prior Art Generally, an artificial reef is an artificial marine structure, which may be installed on the bottom of an ocean in the coastal areas of the sea so as to protect and develop marine .0 resources such as various fishes, shellfish, and marine plants. The artificial reef can protect fishing ground from a trawler or anchovy tow net and can provide a large number of various marine algae or shellfishes with a spawning ground and a hideout so as to grow fishery resources. The artificial reefs as described above can be divided in two main types, that of an 25 artificial reef to be immersed in coastal waters and a floating artificial reef. The first type of artificial reef can be formed as a quadrilateral-shaped artificial reef or a hemispherical shaped artificial reef which is made of concrete material. Alternatively, the first type of artificial reef can be formed as a multi-layer framed structure having a height of about 10 meters, in which the multi-layer framed structure is comprised of a series of steel frames. 30 Recently, there has been a need to build artificial reefs adapted for growing and developing specific marine algae by moving away from the traditional concepts for the artificial reef. A variety of endeavors for developing artificial reefs, adapted for growing and developing value-added fishery evenly and having the desired taste and nutrition and which can contribute to increase incomes for fishing villages, have been proposed. 1 Abalone is a mollusc belonging to Gastropoda and mainly comes from marine areas neighboring around the land or islands. Since this abalone mainly eats marine plants such as red algae or brown algae, it mainly lives in any place at which the seawater is clean and the marine plants are more likely to reproduce. Abalone tends to hide around the rocks during the 5 daytime, but feeds mostly at night. Worldwide, including Australia, there is increasing demand for abalone. According to the prior art, abalones have been collected at the areas neighboring around the land or islands. It has become necessary to cultivate abalones by using an artificial reef depending on the offshore technique. Abalone can stick to the surface of the artificial reef by using its foot and 0 it can live under extreme environmental conditions, with about 200 abalones living in an area 2 of 1m . Therefore, abalone is well suited for aquatic farming industry by using artificial reefs offshore. In order to develop an artificial reef adapted for a breeding environment and a living habit of the abalone, it is desirable to make a structure which is capable of getting sufficient surface 5 area and hiding place required for colonization, growth and development of sea algae, which allows some drifting algae becoming the prey of abalone to live in large quantities, and which requires reduced labor time and labor costs to be spent for the manufacture of the artificial reef. 0 Summary of the Invention A preferred aim of the present invention is to provide an abalone habitat reef, which can provide sufficient surface area required for colonization, growth and development of sea algae and sufficient narrow corner space required for hiding, growth and development of abalone. The reef may be formed as a wedge-type space slanted less than 30 degrees, in which 25 the abalone can safely hide and grow up avoiding the eyes of predators until a juvenile abalone becomes a grown-up abalone, which allows some drifting algae becoming the prey of abalone to freely gather toward the internal space of the abalone habitat reef via a plurality of openings and a plurality of flow windows, and which can be formed as a cost-effective structure for allowing many populations of abalone per unit area to live therein, by 30 constructing a main body of fishing reef with a plurality of columns and a reef wall enclosing them, and by forming a plurality of openings at a lower portion of the reef wall and forming a flow window at a middle portion of the reef wall. Another preferred aim of the present invention is to provide an abalone habitat reef which is capable of providing the breeding environment and the living habits adapted to meet 2 the characteristic of the abalone by making the wall to be slightly slanted toward the internal space of the main body so as to obtain a sufficient shade in the internal space of the main body, which results in gathering of various abalones over the inside or the outside of the artificial reef and creating an almost complete aquatic ecosystem, which can provide 5 sufficient strength for the abalone habitat reef due to the existence of the columns, which allows a person to easily ascertain the existence of the artificial reef installed on the sea floor, which allows a diver to easily catch predators of abalone by inserting his or her hands into the internal space of the main body, and which can best be applied for abalone agriculture industry depending on the offshore technique. 0 In one broad form, the present invention provides an abalone habitat reef comprising: a main body including a plurality of walls each having a trapezoid shape, and being integrally combined together so that the main body has a pyramid box or frusto-pyramid shape, a plurality of columns formed at inner corners of the main body, and 5 a plurality of openings in a lower portion of each walls at both side parts thereof so that the lower portion of the main body at each corner thereof becomes a support leg. In another form, the invention provides an abalone habitat reef comprising: an integrally formed frusto-conical main body comprising a wall surrounding an internal space, 0 a plurality of columns protruding toward the internal space of the main body and spaced from each other at regular intervals along an internal circumferential surface of the wall, and a plurality of openings in the lower portion of the wall at a position adjacent to the columns, whereby the lower portion of each column becomes the support leg at the internal 25 space of the main body. Preferably, a flow window is formed through a middle portion of the wall. The flow window opening is formed in the shape of trapezoidal. Each column is preferably formed as having a trapezoidal cross section. As described above, the abalone habitat reef according to the present invention can get 30 sufficient surface area required for colonization, growth and development of sea algae and can get sufficient narrow corner space between walls and columns of the artificial reef, which may be formed as a wedge-type space required for hiding, growth and development of abalone, which can be formed as a rational and cost-effective structure for allowing many populations of abalone per unit area to live therein. Consequently, the abalone habitat reef according to the 3 present invention can best be applied for abalone agriculture industry depending on the offshore technique. In yet another form, the invention provides an abalone habitat reef comprising: a main body of frustum shape which is open at its top and bottom, the main body 5 having an internal space surrounded by an integrally formed wall, a plurality of column formations at spaced locations around the inside of the wall, a plurality of trapezoidal shaped openings at spaced locations around the wall at the bottom of the wall, and a plurality of window openings at spaced locations around the wall. 0 The wall may comprise a plurality of wall portions each of trapezoid shape, such that the main body has a frusto-pyramidal shape. Alternatively, the wall may comprise a round wall of tapering diameter such that the main body has a frusto-conical shape. 5 Brief Description of the Drawings The above aims and other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is an exterior perspective view of an abalone habitat reef according to a .O preferred first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a front view of the abalone habitat reef as illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a top view of the abalone habitat reef as illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the abalone habitat reef as illustrated in FIG. 1; and FIG. 5 is an exterior perspective view of an abalone habitat reef according to a 25 preferred second embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention Hereinafter, the construction of the abalone habitat reef according to embodiments of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying 30 drawings FIGS. 1 to 5. Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the preferred embodiments according to the present invention, it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding of the invention, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the different views which are 4 illustrated in each of the attached drawing Figures. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the abalone habitat reef 10 according to the preferred first embodiment of the present invention comprises a main body 10a comprising four walls 1 each having a trapezoid framed shape and integrally formed, whereby the main body 10a has a 5 pyramid box shape, or frusto-pyramidal as shown in Fig. 1. Four columns 2 vertically extend at inner corners of the main body 10a so that they are spaced from each other at regular intervals along an internal circumferential surface of the walls 1. The walls 1 and the columns 2 of the main body 10a may be formed as an integral structure by performing the concrete pouring process and the concrete curing process with the 0 use of mould. The walls 1 of the main body 10a are slightly slanted inwards and the height of the columns 2 is the same as that of the walls 1. Two openings 3 are formed through a lower portion of the walls 1 at both side parts thereof. An opening 3 may form the boundary between the wall 1 and a support leg 4 or the boundary between the wall 1 and the column 2.In this manner, the lower portion of the corner 5 of the main body 10a is formed as the support leg 4. A flow window 5 is formed through a middle portion of each wall 1, respectively. Preferably, the openings 3 and the flow windows 5 may be formed at about the same time as the manufacture of the main body 10a by already providing in the mould. It is possible to easily and firmly build the main body 10a on the sea floor due to the D structure and the operation of the support legs 4 linked to the columns 2 and the openings 3. The columns 2 can function to reinforce the strength of the main body 10a. Due to the existence of the openings 3 and the flow windows 5, the tidal current of the sea water may be simply and smoothly induced along an internal space 6 of the main body 10a from the outside so that it can create proper growing conditions within the internal space 6 of 25 the abalone habitat reef 10. Accordingly, it is preferred that the positions of two openings 3 formed at one wall 1 correspond to those of two openings 3 formed at the opposite wall 1. Although the main body 10a has a square pyramid shape due to the use of four walls 1 as shown in the attached drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the numbers of the walls 1 can be varied within the range of at least three (triangular pyramid) to 30 up to eight (octagonal pyramid). It is appreciated that the main body 10a can be formed as a one integral circular wall 1 as shown in FIG. 5 as needed, to form a generally conical or frusto-conical shape as shown in that figure. If the main body 10a is formed as a trapezoidal cylindrical or frusto-conical shape as shown in FIG. 5, the columns 2 are spaced from each other at regular intervals along an inter 5 circumferential surface of the walls 1. The opening 3 is formed through the lower portion of the wall 1 at a position adjacent to the columns 2. The lower portion of the column 2 becomes the support leg 4 at the internal space of the main body 10a. As shown in the attached drawings, the openings 3 and the flow windows 5 are of 5 trapezoidal shape, and the column 2 is formed as a column having a trapezoidal cross section. Due to this, the main body 10a has an excellent three-dimensional effect so that a person can easily ascertain the existence of the artificial reef installed on the sea floor. Furthermore, it can provide sufficient narrow corner space between walls 1 and columns 2 of the artificial reef, which may be formed as a wedge-type space 7 slanted less than 30 degrees required for 0 hiding, growth and development of abalone. Since the stiffness of the bottom side and the corner of the main body 10a are highly increased, it can provide sufficient facilities strength for the abalone habitat reef. Although it is shown that the openings 3 and the flow windows 5 are formed in the shape of a trapezoid, it would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the design of 5 the openings 3 and the flow windows 5 is not limited to the particular embodiment disclosed in the attached drawings. For example, the openings 3 and the flow windows 5 can be formed in the shape of triangle, circle or rectangle and so on. Likewise, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the shape of cross section and the height of the columns 2 can be optionally changed depending on the application. The columns 2 can be formed as two parts taken along .0 the vertical direction as needed. An abalone habitat reef 10 according to the embodiments described above can provide sufficient narrow corner space required for hiding, growth and development of abalone, which allows some drifting algae becoming the prey of abalone to freely gather toward the internal space of the abalone habitat reef. In detail, a wedge-type space 7 slanted less than 30 degrees 25 required for hiding, growth and development of abalone may be provided between the wall 1 and the column 2 over eight places. The abalone can safely hide and grow up avoiding the eyes of predators within the wedge-type space 7 until a juvenile abalone becomes a grown-up abalone. Furthermore, sufficient narrow corner spaces required for hiding, growth and 30 development of abalone are provided at an upper end of the opening 3 and an inner edge of the flow window 5, which allows some drifting algae becoming the prey of abalone, such as red algae or brown algae, to freely gather toward the internal space 6 of the main body 10a. Abalone can easily catch some algae introduced into the internal space 6 of the main body 10a by lifting a shell thereof. 6 As described above, the abalone habitat reef according to the present invention n allows some drifting algae becoming the prey of abalone to freely gather toward the internal space of the abalone habitat reef in accordance with the breeding environment and the living habits of the abalone, provides sufficient surface area required for colonization, growth and 5 development of sea algae and sufficient narrow corner space required for hiding, growth and development of abalone, and can be formed as a rational and cost-effective structure for allowing many populations of abalone per unit area to live therein. Furthermore, since the wall 1 is slightly slanted toward the internal space of the main body 10a, sufficient shade may be provided in the internal space of the main body 10a, 0 whereby the breeding environment and the living habits adapted to meet the characteristic of the abalone may be obtained. Also, it is possible to create two types of breeding environments at the external side and the internal side of the wall 1 and the support leg 4, thereby resulting in creation of proper breeding environment for various abalones. Since the main body 10a has an excellent three-dimensional effect, a person can easily 5 ascertain the existence of the artificial reef installed on the sea floor. Because the upper portion of the main body 10a is open, a diver can easily catch predators of abalone such as an octopus, a starfish, etc. by inserting his or her hands into the internal space 6 of the main body 10a. Consequently, the abalone habitat reef according to the present invention can best be applied for abalone agriculture industry depending on the offshore technique. 0 It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the above description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways by modifying the structure of artificial reef as required on the basis of its 25 application. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the 30 invention. The term "comprise" and variants of that term such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used herein to denote the inclusion of a stated integer or integers but not to exclude any other integer or any other integers, unless in the context or usage an exclusive interpretation of the term is required. 7 Reference to prior art disclosures in this specification is not an admission that the disclosures constitute common general knowledge in Australia. [Reference numerals in the drawings] 5 1: wall 2 : columns 3 : openings 4: support leg 5 : window 6 : internal space 7 : wedge-type space 10 : abalone habitat reef 10a: main body 8

Claims

1. An abalone habitat reef comprising: a main body including a plurality of walls each having a trapezoid shape, and being integrally combined together so that the main body has a pyramid box or frusto-pyramid shape, a plurality of columns formed at inner corners of the main body, and a plurality of openings in a lower portion of each wall at respective opposite side portions thereof so that the lower portion of the main body at each corner thereof forms a support leg.

2. An abalone habitat reef comprising: an integrally formed frusto-conical main body comprising a wall surrounding an internal space, a plurality of columns protruding toward the internal space of the main body and spaced from each other at regular intervals along an internal circumferential surface of the wall, and a plurality of openings in the lower portion of the wall at respective positions adjacent to the columns, whereby the lower portion of each column forms a support leg at the internal space of the main body.

3. The abalone habitat reef as claimed in claim 1, wherein a flow window is formed through a middle portion of each wall.

4. The abalone habitat reef as claimed in claim 2, wherein a plurality of flow windows are formed at spaced locations around the wall.

5. The abalone habitat reef as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each opening is formed in the shape of a trapezoid.

6. The abalone habitat reef as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each column has a trapezoidal cross section.

7. The abalone habitat reef as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the main body and columns are made of concrete.

8. An abalone habitat reef comprising: a main body of frustum shape which is open at its top and bottom, the main body having an internal space surrounded by an integrally formed wall, a plurality of column formations at spaced locations around the inside of the wall, a plurality of trapezoidal shaped openings at spaced locations around the wall at the bottom of the wall, and a plurality of window openings at spaced locations around the wall.

9. An abalone habitat reef as claimed in claim 8, wherein the wall comprises a plurality of wall portions each of trapezoid shape, such that the main body has a frusto-pyramidal shape.

10. An abalone habitat reef as claimed in claim 8, wherein the wall comprises a round wall of tapering diameter such that the main body has a frusto-conical shape. 10