Abstract: Open-sea aquaculture systems and methods are provided, which employ a semisubmersible platform with vertical columns, having storage and maintenance facilities for supporting aquaculture. Systems comprise a rigid assembly of aquaculture cages, with vertical cavities having forms configured to receive the corresponding vertical columns of the semisubmersible platform. The rigid assembly is mechanically connected to the semisubmersible platform in operational positions: (i) a raised position in which the rigid assembly encloses the corresponding vertical columns in the vertical cavities to limit a horizontal movement of the rigid assembly, and (ii) a lowered position in which the rigid assembly is below the corresponding vertical columns. Systems further comprise a control unit configured to control the mechanical position control mechanism to lower the rigid assembly upon occurrence of specified rough sea conditions, or whenever needed, and to raise the rigid assembly upon specified conditions.

Abstract: A transport system for an animal to be received in a motor vehicle. The transport system comprises a carrier configured to be received on a transport surface of the motor vehicle and a boarding aid including a first tread element and at least a second tread element. The first tread element can be swivelably attached to the carrier, wherein the boarding aid is movable from a transport position to a boarding position. The boarding aid can be arranged in the transport position on a first side of a plane defined by the carrier, and the boarding aid is an obstacle for the animal after the transport system has been received in the motor vehicle. The boarding aid can be arranged in the boarding position on a second side of the plane defined by the carrier and the animal is able leave the motor vehicle via the boarding aid.

Abstract: A coral mounting apparatus that facilitates mounting a live coral or other decoration to rock in an aquarium comprising a coral mount; a dock that is slidably receivable within the coral mount; and a docking mechanism that enables the dock to slide in and towards with respect to the coral mount upon docking, and away and slide out with respect to the coral mount upon undocking.

Abstract: A fishing rod has a rod body and an attachment portion, and includes: an attachment attached to the outer peripheral face of the rod body with the attachment portion; a first layer formed by winding a first sheet around both the attachment portion and the rod body; and a second layer formed by winding a second sheet made of fiber-reinforced resin on the outer side of the first sheet, wherein the tensile elongation measured in accordance with JIS K 7161-1 of the first sheet is greater than that measured in accordance with JIS K 7161-1 of the second sheet.

Abstract: The fishing rod handling device is an apparatus that can reduce the amount of stress received by wrists of users when reeling in game fish. To accomplish this, the device includes a handle attachment and a forearm grip attachment that may be detachably mounted onto a fishing rod. The handle attachment allows a user to hold the fishing rod in a comfortable position, since the handle attachment is oriented in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the fishing rod. Further, the forearm grip attachment allows users to rest their forearms in a stable position, such that users may hold the handle attachment with their wrists and forearms in alignment. Additionally, a shoulder strap may be attached to the handle attachment, to provide additional support. Thus, the device allows for a strong and stable grip without causing any wrist injuries when reeling in game fish.

Abstract: A trolling spreader bar is configured with a central body and a plurality of fishing lures as an assembly to mimic a small school of fish, wherein each lure can have a keel. The keel is angled to urge the lure assembly continually to one side or the other from what would be the normal straight line of travel of a trolling vessel. By attaching an angled keel directly to the lure/spreader bar one is able to easily set lines behind the vessel at varying angles and distances which greatly increase the width of the full trolling lure spread. The spreader bar can further be configured to have a counterweight directly attached to it to provide increased stability to the bar during trolling.

Abstract: A fishing rod according to one embodiment includes a rod body extending in a front-and-back direction along a central axis, a fitting having a mounting part, where the mounting part is mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the rod body at a first position determined in a circumferential direction around the central axis, and a fiber-reinforced resin layer surrounding the rod body so as to cover the mounting part. The fiber-reinforced resin layer has a first portion covering the rod body along an entire length thereof in the circumferential direction around the central axis and a second portion extending in the axial direction backward from an axially back end of the first portion and extending in the circumferential direction less than 180° clockwise from the first position and also less than 180° anti-clockwise from the first position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a novel deterrent barrier based on the phenomenon of fluid cavitation. A drive unit comprising a motor and a propeller are configured for inducing cavitation in water. The cavitation takes the form of a rotationally confined vertical column of cavitation bubbles extending from the propeller, and a one-dimensional series of drive units spanning the width of a waterway may provide an effective, environmentally friendly and non-lethal barrier against entry of target fish species.

Abstract: A fishing rod according to one embodiment includes a rod body extending in a front-and-back direction along a central axis, a fitting having a mounting part, where the mounting part is mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the rod body at a first position determined in a circumferential direction around the central axis, and a fiber-reinforced resin layer surrounding the rod body so as to cover the mounting part. The fiber-reinforced resin layer has a first portion covering the rod body along an entire length thereof in the circumferential direction around the central axis and a second portion extending in the axial direction backward from an axially back end of the first portion and extending in the circumferential direction less than 180° clockwise from the first position and also less than 180° anti-clockwise from the first position.

Abstract: A fishing rod according to one embodiment includes a rod body extending in a front-and-back direction along a central axis, a fitting having a mounting part, where the mounting part is mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the rod body at a first position determined in a circumferential direction around the central axis, and a fiber-reinforced resin layer surrounding the rod body so as to cover the mounting part. The fiber-reinforced resin layer has a first portion covering the rod body along an entire length thereof in the circumferential direction around the central axis and a second portion extending in the axial direction backward from an axially back end of the first portion and extending in the circumferential direction less than 180° clockwise from the first position and also less than 180° anti-clockwise from the first position.

Abstract: A coral ring mount device and method for the propagative culture of sessile benthic marine organisms (for example, stony corals) employing either a ring, washer or threaded nut or similar as a propagule mount upon which the coral is set in order to attach, grow and overgrow within a coral nursery system. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, once the coral is grown onto the ring mount and to its requisite size and condition, the ring mount becomes the washer through which passes a screw to secure the ring and coral to the seafloor.

Abstract: A fishing rod according to one embodiment includes a rod body extending in a front-and-back direction along a central axis, a fitting having a mounting part, where the mounting part is mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the rod body at a first position determined in a circumferential direction around the central axis, and a fiber-reinforced resin layer surrounding the rod body so as to cover the mounting part. The fiber-reinforced resin layer has a first portion covering the rod body along an entire length thereof in the circumferential direction around the central axis and a second portion extending in the axial direction backward from an axially back end of the first portion and extending in the circumferential direction less than 180° clockwise from the first position and also less than 180° anti-clockwise from the first position.

Abstract: An adjustable fishing rod handle assembly having a handle assembly and an arm support assembly. The handle assembly has an upper member, an interior bracket, and a lower member, whereby the upper member and the lower member are coupled, and the interior bracket is positioned inside the upper member and the lower member. The handle assembly and the arm support assembly are removable mounted onto a fishing rod.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing licking branches to a support structure includes a body suitable for attachment to a support structure, at least one branch holder extending outwardly from the annular body, and securing means for securing a branch in place within the branch holder. The securing means may include a clamp. The body may be an annular body for fitting over the support structure. The body may include a surface for fitting against the support structure with at least one loop operatively connected to the support structure. The angle of each of the at least one branch holder is adjustable.

Abstract: A fishing rod includes a rod blank which is configured to be attached to a fishing reel on a lower side. The rod blank includes a main portion and a rear grip portion which is continuous to a rod end side of the main portion. An end surface of the rod blank on the rod end side is inclined such that the lower side extends farther in a direction of the rod end side than the upper side.

Abstract: A fishing rod includes: a reel seat; a blank extending from a front end surface of the reel seat; a cylindrical spacer provided on the blank on the same axis; a hood holder screwed at a front end portion of the reel seat; a hood continuously provided at a rear end of the hood holder; and a rocker including a plurality of support parts extending frontward from near a front end of the hood holder and coming into contact with an outer peripheral surface of the spacer, wherein in a state where the hood holder is screwed into the reel seat side, a protruding part of each of the support parts is close to the spacer.

Abstract: A fishing rod includes a rod section and a fitting having a securing portion, the fitting being firmly secured to the rod section without inhibiting bending of the rod section, the securing portion having an excellent outer appearance. On a securing portion of a fishing line guide placed on the rod section, a prepreg sheet formed of plain-woven reinforcement fibers impregnated with a thermosetting resin is wound to secure the fishing line guide. The prepreg sheet is wound and secured so that, with respect to an axial direction, reinforcement fibers are in oblique directions, and intersecting angles of the reinforcement fibers in a winding region on a part of the rod section located beyond a distal end of the securing portion are smaller than those of the reinforcement fibers in a winding region on the securing portion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an adjustable pressure injection device system for delivering an agent into a tree, comprising at least two fill bottles for containing the agent; a cap attached to the open end of the bottles, the cap comprising at least two ports and an on/off valve; a main line connected to the cap through a port, wherein the agent flows out of the bottle and into the main line; a parallel distribution system (PDS) connected to the main line, wherein the PDS comprises multiple ports, each port either being closed or connected to an injection line, and further wherein the PDS is optionally expandable by combining a PDS with additional PDS units; at least 2 injection lines connected to the PDS through the PDS ports, and an injection needle attached to each injection line, wherein the agent flows through the injection needle into the tree.

Abstract: A fishing rod has a hollow interior in which is secured a semi-rigid line. The semi-rigid line is secured to a durable rubber band which in turn is secured to an interior base of the fishing rod, adjacent the handle. The opposite end of the semi-rigid line comprises a braided portion having a plastic anchor. A strike on the fishing line is thus transmitted through the fishing rod directly to the handle thereof.

Abstract: A fishing rod includes a grip tube 2 on a rear side of a reel seat 1 having a cylindrical shape, and the grip tube 2 is hard. The grip tube 2 includes a first grip portion 20 having a large diameter and forming at a front part of the grip tube 2, a second grip portion 22 having a large diameter and forming at a rear part of the grip tube 2, and a small-diameter portion 21 forming at between the first grip portion 20 and the second grip portion 22. A corner portion 23 is formed at between the first grip portion 20 and the small-diameter portion 21. The small-diameter portion 21 has a concave curved shape decreasing in diameter rearward at the front part of the small-diameter portion 21 which adjacent to the corner portion 23.