Abstract: An apparatus and method for promoting macrobenthic growth in a waterway. The apparatus comprises a biodegradable net bag with a biodegradable panel insert that is adapted to receive a biomass Suitable for attracting and promoting macrobenthic growth. The method comprises providing a suitable net bag, filling it with an appropriate biomass, deploying it in a healthy waterway until macrobenthic growth has become established, and transporting and redeploying it in a second waterway requiring remediation.

Abstract: A water delivery system for supplying water to an insect habitat. The water delivery system including a water tray equipped with a sensor to monitor an amount of water within a water tray. The sensor to cause water to be delivered to the water tray when the amount of water within the tray falls below a predefined threshold amount.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a tunicate or an extract obtained from a tunicate for the production of one or more biofuel selected from an alcohol and biodiesel. The invention also relates to a method for producing a biofuel from a tunicate wherein the biofuel is selected from an alcohol and biodiesel and wherein said method comprises the steps of: (a)(i) subjecting said tunicate or one or more polysaccharides extracted from said tunicate to enzymatic or acid hydrolysis to form a hydrolysate containing one or more monosaccharides and (ii) fermenting said one or more monosaccharides to form an alcohol; or (b)(i) extracting lipids/fatty acids from said tunicate and (ii) converting said lipids/fatty acids into biodiesel by transesterification or alcoholysis or (iii) subjecting said tunicate to transesterification or alcoholysis thereby converting lipids/fatty acids present in said tunicate into biodiesel.

Abstract: Variable-scale, modular, easily manufacturable, energy efficient, reliable, and computer operated Insect Production Superstructure Systems (IPSS) may be used to produce insects for human and animal consumption, and for the extraction and use of lipids for applications involving medicine, nanotechnology, consumer products, and chemical production with minimal water, feedstock, and environmental impact. An IPSS may comprise modules including feedstock mixing, enhanced feedstock splitting, insect feeding, insect breeding, insect collection, insect grinding, pathogen removal, multifunctional flour mixing, liquid mixing, shaping, cooking, flavoring, biocatalyst mixing, exoskeleton separation, liquid separation, and lipid extraction. An IPSS may be configured to be constructed out of a plurality of containerized modules.

Abstract: A self-contained container gardening system that utilizes a continuous tubular structure raised on stringer supports that provide a spiral configuration. Ports within the tubular sections allow for planting along the length of the tubular structure. A porous hose within the system provides water and other nutrients, while port covers inhibit rain, insects, pests, disease, and other undesirables from gaining access to the soil and plant roots. A reservoir tank attached to the system allows water to be stored and released as needed and gravity-fed into the porous hose. The entire system can be wheeled to any desired location without concern for water or electrical access. A protective cover supported by one or more uprights can provide additional protection to plants.

Abstract: A method of growing shellfish is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a support tray (I) with recesses (7) where at least some of the recesses (7) incorporate means adapted to create a deliberately formed alphanumeric, written or pictorial mark on the shellfish as it grows. Shellfish spat are attached to at least some of the recesses (7) and the tray (I) is placed in water so that the spat grow into substantially mature shellfish within the recesses (7). The spat each grow generally in the shape of their respective recess (7) so that the mark is created on the shellfish as it grows.

Abstract: A method for establishing a clam bed includes raising clam larvae in a captive environment in which they are provided with adequate food and habitat requirements, and kept isolated from predation by natural predators. The clam larvae are maintained in this environment during the first larval stage, referred to as the trochophore stage of development, when the larvae are particularly vulnerable to mortality. During the next stage of development, the developing larval clams are released, preferably in large numbers (saturation spawning) at any time during the veliger stage of development, i.e., the generic stage following the trochophore larval stage, and which includes the sub-stages of straight-hinge veliger, umbonate veliger, and pediveliger. Preferably, the entire process prior to release in accordance with the invention is carried out in a closed system, to significantly reduce possible exposure to contaminants and/or harmful predator larvae/parasites, in addition to larger animal predators.

Abstract: A device and method for the sea-based culture of sea urchins and abalones includes two parallel lateral elements, where each one of their ends has a groove and a hole for the installation of four braces. The center areas of the braces have a plurality of parallel and equidistant guides for the installation of a plurality of vertically inserted plates, forming spaces between the plates that permit housing sea urchins or abalones on both faces of such plates. At the bottom of the device a horizontal tray holds algae for feeding sea urchins and the abalones; wherein, both the plurality of plates and the tray are enclosed in an elongated mesh, wherein the ends of the mesh are joined to the ends of the lateral walls of the tray, such that the length of the mesh wraps around the plurality of plates.

Abstract: Methods of producing precast concrete structures, installing them to form larger structures along shorelines or underwater and the structures produced thereby are disclosed. Certain preferred embodiments can be employed as underwater shellfish habitats for raising oysters, mussels and the like.

Abstract: An artificial reef device comprising an axle rod supporting a plurality of buoyant reef bodies rotatably mounted on the axle rod. The axle rod and buoyant sections are suspended at a desired level above a water bottom by anchors attached to anchor lines further attached to the axle rod. A plurality of distally projecting rods is mounted on the buoyant reef bodies. The distally projecting rods are mounted in a manner such that the buoyant reef bodies rotate independently of each other on the axle rod without interference from the distally projecting rods. Some of the projecting rods may be hollow to receive soluble fish attractant for disbursement through the hollow rods.

Abstract: A support device for cultivating macro organisms in marine waters consisting of first and second coplanar rings connected to each other by a plurality of radial support lines and provided between them with a plurality of cultivating lines arranged in substantially coaxial rings and connected to the support lines. The outer one of the first and second rings is held in a predetermined orientation by ropes of crow's foot arrangements connected to it from above and below the rings. Each crow's foot arrangement is provided with a ring coaxial with respect to the first and second rings and connected to the other by a support rope. One of the crow's foot rings is connected to a buoyancy means and the other one is connected to an anchoring device so that forces acting on the buoyancy or anchoring means are restricted to the support rope.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and controlling an aquatic environment thus regulating the aquatic environment and maximizing the stability of the aquatic ecosystem. This system uses sensor and data fusion algorithms to perform system anomaly analysis and predictive failure diagnostics based on the output of sensors associated with the aquatic environment control devices. Based on the system anomaly analysis and/or predictive failure diagnostics, the system may continuously adjust the system parameters to maintain an efficient and stable aquatic environment, alert local or remote monitors of failed or impending failure of control devices. In addition, the system may present the system anomaly analysis and predictive failure diagnostics information at a local or remote location to enable the monitor to address any problems presented in situ.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of reducing the effects of hydrodynamic forces of waves and water currents in coastal environments (e.g., oceans, and coastal, river, lake, and reservoir banks). The apparatus is an oysterbreak having two basic designs adapted to allow for the attachment of oysters and other bio-fouling marine organisms, using the least amount of material. In one embodiment, the oysterbreak comprises a support structure and plurality of slats (i.e., relatively planar sections or surfaces) having growth layers made from tubing coated with a material capable of inducing aquatic sessile organism attachment and growth. In another embodiment, the oysterbreak comprises a plurality (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, etc.) of growth layers of regular polygonal-shaped members made from a material capable of inducing aquatic sessile organism attachment and growth that when stacked, form a relatively portable, breakwater module.

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: A system and method for clam farming includes a supply ship coupled to a clam planter via a supply tube bundle having a plurality of individual tubes. The supply ship has a separation station configured for introducing individual clams into the individual supply tubes at a periodic interval. The clam planter includes an underwater vehicle and a plurality of row components that are slideably engaged with the underwater vehicle. Each of the row components is coupled to one of the individual tubes. As the underwater vehicle travels in a forward direction, the row components plow furrows and transport the individual clams into the furrows as they exit the individual tubes according to the periodic interval. A clam farm results having rows of clams near node points spaced from one another by node and row separation distances.

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: 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: An aquaculture system for cultivation, containment and rearing of various mollusks, particularly abalone, which includes a habitat which supports a plurality of molded panels including openings for communicating between adjacent panels, whereby food is available throughout the habitat. An outer netting or open structure which allows water to flow through the habitat, but protects the mollusks from predators, while still containing the food and permitting the flow of water therethrough, selected ones of said panels being configured to provide buoyancy for the habitat which is tethered from the bottom of the ocean.

Abstract: A support apparatus adapted to support mussels in an aquatic mussel harvesting operation. The apparatus has a support extension that is adapted to be inserted into a harvesting support that is adapted to facilitate growth of mussels. An upper surface is provided to give the aquatic mussels support.

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: An aquaculture system for allowing live seafood such as clam seeds to grow on a floatation raft which can be positioned in water dock spaces of a marina. A first embodiment allows for an air source such as a regenerative blower to pump air into airlifts under the floatation raft causing seawater to become aerated to flow into and up through screens in container units in the raft allowing for the live seafood on the screens to become both aerated and fed. A second embodiment is a downwell unit where the aerated water flows down the container units through the screens. The upwell air lifts can be modified with spray arm attachments to convert the system from upwell to downwell flow operations. The airlifts can have forty-five degree angled cut bottoms, and include extension tubes for allowing deeper seawater to be introduced into the system. Removable filters can be attached to the airlifts to filter out undesirable contaminants from the system.

Abstract: An installation for in situ monitoring the quality of a habitat of aquatic organisms with minimal disturbance to the aquatic organisms. In a first aspect of the present invention, the monitoring installation uses invertebrate sentinel species such as mussels, clams, oysters and scallops. The monitoring installation comprises broadly, a buoy; a mooring and a monitoring apparatus comprising; a framework having an upper end connected to the buoy and a lower end connected to the mooring. There is also provided a camera attached to the framework. The camera is adapted for underwater operation and has image data generating and transmitting capabilities for transmitting a number of images to a remote receiver. A support structure is detachably mounted to the framework and has rotary retainers for movably supporting one or more socks of mollusks in front of the camera.

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 shellfish aquaculture upweller system utilizes one or more upwellers having a volume-defining silo, a selectively removable exhaust port and a selectively removable and liquid permeable assembly. The silo includes a top end, an apertured bottom end and an apertured side wall. The exhaust port can be affixed to the silo and, when affixed thereto, provides controlled fluid communication between the liquid ambient environment and the volume defined by the silo. The liquid permeable assembly covers the bottom aperture when the assembly is mounted to the silo to permit liquid to pass therethrough while retaining the shellfish seed in the silo volume when the upweller is in use. The assemblies can be interchanged as desired and a plurality of the upwellers can be stored and transported in a compact manner due to the shape of the upweller silos.

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 submersible structure for breeding piscicultural species in any aquatic environment that includes at least one frame member shaped and devised to accommodate a plurality of bunches of fibers. A series of frame members containing bunches of fibers can be connected and/or stacked to form modules in which the fibers can collect fish eggs. Preferably, the structure includes buoys which allow the structure to be positioned in medium-depth water, relative to the bottom of the aquatic environment.

Abstract: An aquaculture container for raising shellfish is formed of a homogeneous, monolithic monocoque shell by forming one or more openings therein and installing screen, net, or mesh over the opening(s). The container may be formed of a plastic 55 gallon barrel or drum, or other shapes, sizes, and configurations of containers may be used alternatively. The container has at least one panel or end which is removably secured thereto, for access to the interior thereof. An insert may be removably installed within the container to provide additional internal surface area for shellfish, as well as support for nutrients added to the container. The internal surfaces of the container shell and insert preferably roughened in order to provide a better grip for the attachment of shellfish thereto, particularly for shellfish such as abalone which remain mobile throughout their lives.

Abstract: An oyster and other molluscan cleansing system suitable for purifying, or promoting the growout of, for example, oysters, clams, mussels, or the like. The preferred embodiment of the present invention teaches a system wherein there is provided a central platform/support structure from which uniformly emanates a plurality of stacked rack-support structures, that in turn have therein generally horizontally-situated, vertically-stacked tiers of molluscan support racks. The present invention as implemented teaches a system particularly suitable for use in open water, as the structure is configured to be implemented in a variety of underwater environments, including salt, brackish, and fresh water, as desired, depending upon the species utilized therewith.

Abstract: The invention relates to the cultivation of shellfish. A first type of shellfish capable of securing themselves to a cultch such as by producing byssus are seeded onto a culture rope together with a second type of shellfish which are not capable of securing themselves. The seeding process is carried out using a seeding machine, and the shellfish are retained against the culture rope by way of a seeding stocking. The seeding stocking, the culture rope, and all of the shellfish, are then transferred to a suitable environment for cultivation. The first type of shellfish produce byssus and thereby secure themselves to the culture rope. The second type of shellfish are also secured by way of the byssus produced by the first type of shellfish. The seeding stocking is then no longer required and degrades or is burst by both types of the shellfish.

Abstract: Selected objects such as scallops, are automatically secured in spaced apart bottom-to-bottom relation to elongated strips for subsequent suspension in sea water for a final grow-out period. Linear arrays of these objects, to which adhesive has been applied, are brought into bottom-to-bottom contact with the strip and held there until bonds have formed, following which the strip with attached objects is released from the machine and the procedure is thereafter automatically repeated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of reducing the effects of hydrodynamic forces of waves and water currents in coastal environments (e.g., oceans, and coastal, river, lake, and reservoir banks). The apparatus is an oysterbreak having two basic designs adapted to allow for the attachment of oysters and other bio-fouling marine organisms, using the least amount of material. In one embodiment, the oysterbreak comprises a support structure and plurality of slats (i.e., relatively planar sections or surfaces) having growth layers made from tubing coated with a material capable of inducing aquatic sessile organism attachment and growth. In another embodiment, the oysterbreak comprises a plurality (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, etc.) of growth layers of regular polygonal-shaped members made from a material capable of inducing aquatic sessile organism attachment and growth that when stacked, form a relatively portable, breakwater module.