Abstract: A marine bioproduction facility for farming of sessile marine organisms in a body of water is disclosed. The facility comprises an array of at least two production modules in contiguous geometrical relationship to each other, where each of the at least two production modules is adapted to be arranged within a vertical column with a predefined horizontal cross section and extending downwards from the water surface, where at least one of the at least two production modules comprises at least one growth surface for sessile marine organisms, and an upper part comprising at least one opening adapted to allow access to the vertical column. Further, a method for growth and harvesting of marine sessile organisms using the marine bioproduction facility is presented.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for robotic aquaculture are described. In one embodiment, for example, a mariculture system may include an aquatic animal containment system operative to hold a population of aquatic animals, the aquatic animal containment system comprising an enclosed hull having a receptacle configured to receive a mechanical core, the mechanical core configured to store at least one sub-system to implement at least one function of mariculture system, and a position management system operative to maintain the enclosed hull at a depth below a surface of a body of water. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A device for using technical equipment underwater includes at least one guide rail configured to extend vertically underwater on an edifice from above a waterline. At least one device carriage is provided and includes a basic unit having a reception flange configured to couple the technical equipment thereto, and at least one running unit that abuts against the guide rail via guide rollers. A press-on unit is disposed on a first side of the device carriage and includes a lever pivotable on an axis of the device carriage so as to generate a pressing force of the device carriage against the guide rail. The lever includes a support roller at a first end and a weight packet at a second end so as to exert a downward drifting force underwater that is greater than a buoyancy of the device carriage. At least two spacers are each disposed at a first end on the at least one device carriage and abutting the edifice at a second end.

Abstract: A device for colonizing and harvesting marine hardground animals in an underwater region of a ground-based offshore edifice includes at least one rail device configured to extend vertically on the offshore edifice along a height of the underwater region to above a waterline. The device also includes a netting array including a habitat carriage having a habitat and trapping basket that is adapted to contain the hardground animals. A lifting device is configured to move the netting array along the at least one rail device. Additionally, the device includes a scavenging carriage including a basic unit and a running unit that is configured to detachably couple the scavenging carriage with the at least one rail device so as to be movable thereon. The scavenging carriage is configured to detachably couple with the habitat carriage and the lifting device.

Abstract: A transportable device for colonizing and harvesting invertebrate animals in proximity to a floor of a body of water includes at least two quadrangular frames, each of which include a trapping surface. A central hinge is disposed between opposing, inner traverse sides of the at least two quadrangular frames and has a first one-way folding direction. Two secondary hinges are disposed on opposite sides of the central hinge, each of the secondary hinges having a second one-way folding direction that is opposite to the first one-way folding direction such that the at least two quadrangular frames have an opening angle with respect to each other that is adaptable to a structure of the floor of the body of water.

Abstract: A marine habitat system comprising one or more assembled units, each formed of a flotation element and a plurality of habitat tiers fixed to and spaced below the flotation element. The habitat tiers are comprised of frame assemblies formed of upper and lower open frame elements and side walls, forming a space. The space is filled with a mesh matrix of plastic fibers which forms an ideal environment in which various desirable juvenile marine creatures (crabs, lobsters, oysters, etc.) can thrive. Upwardly projecting, simulated prop roots can be provided on the habitat tiers to provide additional anchorage area for marine life to attach.

Abstract: A submersible farm is described including a self-supporting frame which can be submerged and maintained at a selected depth. The submersible farm further includes a first radial structure having lattice-forming beams which are placed edgeways in order to support a second structure which bears culture ropes and is disposed horizontally below the first structure. The first structure includes a float which extends partially along the periphery thereof and which includes at least a peripheral inlet and outlet for the culture ropes leading to a berth. The berth is fixed to the first radial structure. The frame is supported by a counterweighted flotation column which is disposed at the center of both the first and second structures and which includes a float which extends downward into a counterweighted tube having a stabilizing system suspended therefrom.

Abstract: A method of culturing aquatic animals utilizes a habitat including at least one habitat unit, each habitat unit being constructed of a plurality of concentric tubes with a fixed radial spacing. The habitat is immersed in an aquatic environment containing larvae of aquatic animals to be raised so that the larvae settle on the habitat, the aquatic animals are fed until the animals grow to a desired size, and the cultured animals are then harvested.

Abstract: An artificial pond reef is formed from sheet material into the shape of an inverted tub. It includes a peripheral base portion, upstanding sidewalls, and a roof. The base portion includes a horizontal flange extending out from the sidewalls. The sidewalls extend up to support the roof and include apertures for movement of fish and the like through the reef. The reef includes small holes for the growth of flora therethrough. The roof is configured to support and retain decorative enhancements (pebbles, sand, plants). The base, sidewalls, roof are surface-shaped and contoured to give the reef an appearance of natural rock formation. The reef is dark or black to promote bacteria growth upon it, and has a matte surface for bacteria to adhere to. The roof includes an opening to receive a removable receptacle for decorative enhancements.

Abstract: Fish-breeding apparatus (10), which comprises a frame, supporting one or a plurality of breeding cages (11) and provided with hollow buoyancy elements (17), and at least one device for controlling the buoyancy of the apparatus by filling, totally or partially, the buoyancy elements with water and emptying them of the water, totally or partially, whenever desired. The buoyancy elements are emptied of water by replacing the water with air. The buoyancy elements are such that when they are empty of water to a predetermined extent, the entire apparatus floats, even when it is fully charged. The frame has depending legs (17), so that even in its lowermost position the bottoms of the breeding cage will be spaced from the sea bed.

Abstract: Aquaculture apparatus includes an elongate tube of flexible translucent plastic material which extends longitudinally along level ground. The tube is inflated and air supported. At least the lower section of the tube defines a water course. The tube is closed at both ends to form a water enclosure. A number of such tubes are arranged in side-by-side relation and are covered by a plastic sheet cover layer. The cover provides an air gap to insulate the inner tubes and restrict heat loss. The tubes are used to form at least some of the modules of an aquaculture system for rearing fish and/or for effluent, waste or water treatment.

Abstract: Sessile marine organisms are a source of many marine pharmaceuticals. A method of producing such a marine pharmaceutical is provided which involves positioning a plurality of like substrates in sea water, growing the organism on the plurality of substrates, harvesting the grown organism, and extracting the pharmaceutical from the harvested organism.

Abstract: A method of mitigating plankton from fish pens moves denser cleaning water from a selected depth into the pen and discharges it to flow horizontally across the pen, but with a downward component and at a sufficient velocity so that the cleaning water sweeps (carries) the plankton from the pen.

Abstract: Sessile marine organisms are a source of many marine pharmaceuticals. A method of producing such a marine pharmaceutical is provided which involves positioning a plurality of like substrates in sea water, growing the organism on the plurality of substrates, harvesting the grown organism, and extracting the pharmaceutical from the harvested organism.

Abstract: A submersible system is provided for isolating a volume of water located above an underwater substrate and for analyzing the volume of water. The system includes a tent having a shape enclosing an area of underwater substrate and a volume of water immediately above the substrate. A support frame formed by frame members each including plural detachable sections for maintaining the shape of the tent. A securing assembly, comprising a peripheral flap held down by weights in the form of sandbags or a heavy chain serves to secure the tent to the substrate. A circulation system, located at least partially within the tent, provides circulation of the volume of water within the tent so as to maintain a circulating flow pattern within the tent. A flow through analytical system is provided for removing a portion of water from the enclosed volume of water and for analyzing at least one property of the portion of water.

Abstract: A deep ocean, mid-water farming apparatus, for propagating bi-valves, kelp and sea weed comprising a plurality of air-containing tanks arranged in a frame and including a lower frame element and an upper frame element, a device for anchoring the tanks in deep water and including connectors to connect the anchor to the lower frame element for holding the device in deep water, a plurality of upwardly directed elongated tubular substrates, on which to grow the bi-valves, the substrates arranged about a vertically-oriented center strut, each substrate defined by a first, lower terminal end, for connection to the upper frame element, and a second, upper terminal end, spaced-apart from the first end and, a top hat centered about the strut for connecting to the upper ends of the tubular substrates for holding them in a fixed configuration thereabout.

Abstract: Aquaculture pen 10 includes a frame 12 suspending a net 14. The frame 12 is sufficiently buoyant to suspend the net 14 without sinking below the level of the water in which it floats. The net 14 is formed with a cylindrical side wall 14 and a bottom submerged wall 18 that closes the side wall 16 at an end opposite the frame 12. The pen 10 includes a lifting system 20 for selectively reducing the volume of the pen 10. The lifting system 20 has an annular ring shaped body 22 with the profile of an inverted U located below the bottom wall 18 the body 22 and can be supplied with air via a hose 24 and manifold 26. When air is pumped into the body 22, it causes it to rise. As it rises, the body 22 lifts a part of the bottom wall 18 beneath which it is located to effectively reduce the volume of the pen 10. By centering the body 22 within the pen 10, a channel or race 42 is created between the frame 12 and the ring 22. This allows the efficient herding and/or capture of the marine animals.

Abstract: A family of man-made marine habitat systems and methods are disclosed for placement in various waterways to restore the natural marine environments that have been previously destroyed by commercial development as well as mitigate the damage caused by future development of coastal waters. The inventive marine habitat systems include individual habitat units having different configurations, more specifically, different sizes and arrangements of vertical and horizontal members, which are strategically placed in a restorative area in a body of water to serve as shelter for a variety of aquatic animals, including but not limited to, fish and a variety of bio-fouling organisms, including but not limited to oysters, mussels, and sea squirts. Novel anti-chafe devices and anchoring systems for use with the inventive marine habitat systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A combination of old and new features to cultivate seaweed on the sea bottom comprising the steps of cultivating in a laboratory sporophytes and fixing them on lines, setting anchors on various water bottoms, installing near off-bottom artificial substrates, and transferring the pre-cultivated sporophytes onto these substrates. The complete method allows young seaweed and young kelp to survive the exaction of bottom and off-bottom grazing predators and inter-species competition.

Abstract: A fence-like habitat for sheltering and feeding fish, and practicing aquaculture. The fence serves as a shield for small and juvenile fish which seek protection from predators and water movement. The habitat offers substrates for use in the aquaculture of seaweed and shellfish. A complementary bottom habitat is formed by the detachment and drop of seaweed and shellfish to the bottom of the water.

Abstract: A lobster habitat includes one or more elements made of a sea water resistant material that are provided with recesses in their opposite largest surfaces which are intended to form hiding-places for lobster fry.

Abstract: Disclosed is an open ocean farm structure for attachment of macroalgal plants. The farm structure is made up of linear elements connected with nodes to form a three dimensional truss. The linear elements are composed of tubes containing solid rods which are screw connected to the nodes. The ends of the tubes abut the nodes so that screwing the rods into the nodes puts the tubes in compression. The truss structure thus formed is strong and flexible. Because the truss structure is made of tubes having minimal cross-sectional area, the structure is relatively transparent to the forces of wave motion.