GB2535711A

GB2535711A - Subsea light emission

Info

Publication number: GB2535711A
Application number: GB1503041.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Watson Dan
Original assignee: Safetynet Tech Ltd
Current assignee: Safetynet Tech Ltd
Priority date: 2015-02-24
Filing date: 2015-02-24
Publication date: 2016-08-31
Also published as: GB201503041D0

Abstract

An apparatus 300 for attachment to a fishing device, in particular a trawl net or the like, and for emitting light in a subsea environment. The apparatus comprises one or more light sources (LEDs) 308 configured to emit light at one or more wavelengths and a light source controller 312 configured to control the emission of light from the one or more light sources. A memory 314 is configured to store instructions for controlling the emission of light from the one or more light sources and the light source controller is configured to control the emission of light from the one or more light sources based on the stored instructions. Preferably the apparatus is programmable. The apparatus may be provided with a power source 336, 338 and wired or wireless communication means 316, 318. The apparatus may be in the form of a ring with an aperture 334 through which juvenile fish can swim. A system comprising a plurality of lighting apparatus is also provided for.

Description

SUBSEA LIGHT EMISSION

Technical field

The invention relates generally to the field of subsea light emission for influencing fish behaviour. More specifically, the invention relates to, but need not be limited to, methods and apparatus for fitting to a fishing device, such as a net or pot, and for emitting light in a subsea environment.

Background

Depleting fish stocks and penalties applied to fishing vessels that catch juvenile fish mean that there is a need for methods of catching fish in a sustainable and selective way resulting in fewer juvenile fish being caught in nets.

In known methods, escape rings may be fitted to fishing devices that provide an aperture large enough for a juvenile fish to swim through, but not large enough for adult fish to swim through.

As used herein, the term "fishing device" encompasses any apparatus for use in catching fish. Specific fishing devices include nets, such as trawl nets and purse-seines, and fishing pots.

Summary

The inventor has appreciated that fish behaviour can be influenced and/or controlled by the use of light stimuli and that this may be used to aid in providing selective fishing methods.

According to the invention, there is provided an apparatus for attachment to a fishing device and for emitting light in a subsea environment, the apparatus comprising: one or more light sources configured to emit light at one or more wavelengths; and a light source controller configured to control the emission of light from the one or more light sources; and a memory configured to store instructions for controlling the emission of light from the one or more light sources, wherein the light source controller is configured to control the emission of light from the one or more light sources based on the stored instructions.

Optionally, the apparatus is programmable and further comprises a receiver configured to receive the instructions from a user device.

Optionally, the receiver is configured to receive the instructions over a wireless or wired communications link.

Optionally, the instructions specify one or more of: a time period of time during which the one or more light sources should be on; a time period of time during which the one or more light sources should be off; an intensity of light to be emitted from the one or more light sources; and a wavelength of light to be emitted from the one or more light sources.

Optionally, the apparatus further comprises an on-board power source.

Optionally, the on-board power source comprises a galvanic power source.

Optionally, the galvanic power source comprises a zinc anode and a gold plated cathode each configured to be exposed to seawater when the apparatus is in a subsea environment.

Optionally, the gold plated anode comprises a plurality of fins.

Optionally, the apparatus further comprises a housing configured to prevent ingress of water.

Optionally, the housing is configured to prevent ingress of water at depths up to 1000m.

Optionally, the housing is configured to be connected to a fishing device.

Optionally, the housing comprises a chassis, on which the one or more light sources, the light source controller and the memory are mounted, and which is at least partially encased in a resin.

Optionally, the one or more light sources comprise light emitting diodes.

Optionally, the apparatus is configured when fitted to a fishing device to provide an aperture for allowing fish of a predetermined size to escape the net.

Optionally, the plurality of apparatus are configured to emit light cooperatively to produce an overall pattern of light emission from the plurality of apparatus.

Optionally, the cooperative emission comprises the plurality of apparatus being configured to emit light to define one or more of: a particular geometric shape or pattern; a temporal pattern; and a colour pattern.

Optionally, each of the plurality of apparatus is preprogramed with one or more of: a time at which it should emit light; and a colour of light to be emitted. Brief description of the drawings Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 a-d show a light emitting apparatus; Figures 2a-b show a method for programming light emitting apparatus; Figure 3 shows a light emitting apparatus; and Figure 4 shows a trawl net with light emitting apparatus fitted.

Detailed description

In this specification the term "light" will be used in the sense that it is used in optical systems to mean not just visible light, but also electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength outside that of the visible range.

Generally, disclosed herein are apparatus for emitting light stimuli for influencing fish behaviour in a subsea environment. Exemplary apparatus may comprise a plurality of light sources and may be programmable to turn various light sources on or off in particular patterns. Exemplary apparatus may also emit light at a plurality of wavelengths and at a variable intensity. Further exemplary apparatus may comprise a galvanic power source that uses the seawater in which it is immersed to generate power.

Figures la-d show an apparatus 100 for emitting light in a subsea environment. The apparatus 100 is configured to be fitted to a fishing device, such as a net. The exemplary apparatus 100 comprises a housing 102 that is hinged 103 to open to expose the features of the apparatus 100. The housing comprises clasps 104a, 104b configured to hold the housing 102 in a closed position. It is noted that other types of retaining mechanism may be used. The housing also comprises means for attachment to a fishing device, which in the exemplary apparatus 100 of Figure 1 comprises a lug 106 with an aperture.

The apparatus 100 comprises one or more light sources, which may be light emitting diodes (LEDs) 108. The LEDs 108 may be arranged in a ring, as shown in Figures lb and lc, although other arrangements are possible. The LEDs 108 are seated on a circuit board 110, which also comprises a processor 112, a memory 114, a transmitter 116 and a receiver 118.

The apparatus 100 also comprises a power source 120, which in the exemplary apparatus 100 is one or more batteries. Other types of electrical power source are possible including, as explained below, a galvanic power source.

Figure 1d shows a schematic representation of the apparatus 100. apparatus 100 comprises the transmitter 116 and the receiver 118. The transmitter 116 and receiver 118 are configured to provide data communication with other entities such as user devices and other apparatus for emission of light in a subsea environment and are configured to transmit and receive data accordingly.

The apparatus 100 further comprises the memory 114 and the processor 112. The memory 114 may comprise a non-volatile memory and/or a volatile memory. The memory 114 may have a computer program 122 stored therein. The computer program 122 may be configured to undertake the methods disclosed herein. The computer program 122 may be loaded in the memory 114 from a non-transitory computer readable medium 124, on which the computer program is stored. The processor 112 is configured to undertake at least the functions of a light source controller 126. The apparatus 100 also comprises one or more light sources 108 and the power source 120.

Each of the transmitter 116, receiver 118, memory 114, processor 112, light source controller 126, light source(s) 108 and power source 120 is in data communication with the other features of the apparatus 100. The apparatus 100 can be implemented as a combination of computer hardware and software. In particular, the light source controller 126 may be implemented as software configured to run on the processor 112. The memory 114 stores the various programs/executable files that are implemented by a processor 112, and also provides a storage unit for any required data. The programs/executable files stored in the memory 114, and implemented by the processor 112, can include the light source controller 126, but are not limited to such.

Figure 2a shows a method for using an apparatus 100. The method comprises connecting 200 one or more apparatus 100 to a user device 206, optionally via a central hub 208. The connection to the user device 206 may be wired (including optical cables) or wireless. The user device 206 is loaded with a user interface, which is used to program 202 the one or more apparatus 100.

Programming 202 the one or more apparatus 100 may comprise transmitting data to the apparatus 100 for controlling the emission of light from the one or more light sources 108. Different instructions may be transmitted to different apparatus 100. For example, each apparatus 100 may receive instructions to emit light at a different time, such that when the apparatus 100 are fitted to one or more fishing devices to form a constellation, they emit light in a coordinated way across the whole constellation.

Programming 202 the apparatus 100 may further comprise the apparatus 100 receiving the data at the receiver 118 and storing the data in the memory 114. The data may provide instructions for controlling one or more of a time period of time during which the one or more light sources should be on; a time period of time during which the one or more light sources should be off; an intensity of light to be emitted from the one or more light sources; and a wavelength of light to be emitted from the one or more light sources.

The apparatus 100 are then fitted 204 to a fishing device, such as a net or fishing pot. A plurality of apparatus 100 may be fitted to the same fishing device, as shown in Figure 4. The fishing device may then be lowered into the water and the apparatus 100 operated such that the light source controller 126 emits light according to the data received from the user device.

Figure 2b shows a screen shot of a user interface for programming a plurality of apparatus 100a, b. As can be seen in Figure 2b, the interface shows each of a plurality of apparatus 100a, b. Each apparatus may be programmed to emit light for a period of time 210 and light of a particular colour 212. In addition, a delay 214 may be programmed between emission from a first apparatus 100a and a second apparatus 100b. Using the information programmed into the apparatus 100a, b in the user interface, the apparatus 100a, b may be configured to emit light cooperatively to produce an overall pattern of light. In addition, the apparatus 100a, b may be configured to transmit signals to each other, for example, to synchronise the timing of the emission of light according to the preprograming.

Figure 3 shows an exemplary apparatus 300 for emitting light in a subsea environment. The apparatus 300 comprises many features that are the same or similar to those in the apparatus 100 of Figures la-d. As such, these features are not explained again in detail. Instead, corresponding reference numerals are used.

The apparatus 300 comprises a stainless steel chassis 330 covered in a resin 332 to provide a rugged waterproof housing. A processor 312 and one or more light sources 308 are seated on the chassis 330 before the resin is applied. The chassis 330, processor 312 and light sources 308 may therefore be encased in resin 332. In exemplary apparatus 300, a memory 314, transmitter 316 and receiver 318 may also be seated on the chassis 330 before application of the resin 332.

The chassis 330 and resin 332 from a ring with an aperture 334 through which fish of a specific size (and age) may swim. For example, juvenile fish may be able to swim through the aperture 334, but adult fish may not.

The power source may be a galvanic power source comprising an anode 336 and a cathode 338. The cathode 338 comprises a metal into which electrons flow from a metal forming the anode 336 across the salt bridge formed by seawater. In an exemplary apparatus 300, the anode 336 comprises zinc and the cathode 338 comprises gold. The cathode 338 may be gold plated. The anode 336 and the cathode 338 are exposed to the seawater when the apparatus 300 is in a subsea environment. In an exemplary apparatus 300, the anode 336 may be fixed to an outer of the resin 332 and the cathode 338 is exposed because the resin 332 is applied in a way so as not to cover the cathode 338 completely. The cathode 338 may be partially covered by the resin to secure it in place.

The apparatus 300 may be programmable, as with the apparatus 100. However, in exemplary apparatus 300, the operation of the light sources 308 may be fixed. That is, the instructions stored in the memory 314 may be transmitted to the memory before the resin 332 is applied, after which they may not be amended.

Figure 4 shows a plurality of apparatus 100, 300 fitted to a trawl net 400. The plurality of apparatus 100, 300 may emit light cooperatively to influence fish behaviour. That is, the individual apparatus 100, 300 may be controlled to emit light at different times and/or at different wavelengths compared to other individual apparatus 100, 300, but the combined effect of all the apparatus 100, 300 is to produce a pattern configured to influence fish behaviour.

The cathode 338 may comprise a plurality of fins 340 that increase the surface area of the cathode and thereby increase the electrical power generated by the galvanic cell.

The apparatus 100 may perform like a "Swiss army knife" for producing visual-light stimuli. It makes it easy for interested parties to test hypotheses around the impact of different wavelengths, patterns and intensities of light stimuli. The apparatus may, in other exemplary configurations provide a device for fitting permanently or semi-permanently to a fishing device, such as a net.

The apparatus 100 may be used as a tool to enable others who are investigating different methods of using light to influence fish behaviour to do so. In other exemplary configurations, the apparatus may be used to lower by-catch or increase selectivity directly. The apparatus 100 may act as a platform for the use of visual stimuli, allowing many different tests to be conducted using a simple-to-use, standard device and intuitive user interface. Users are in control of the emitted light wavelength, intensity, flash rate and pattern for each of the apparatus 100 they are using. When a constellation of apparatus 100 are used it is possible to program them to create patterns across the whole constellation.

The methods and apparatus disclosed herein provide an improved user experience and make a potentially complex technology useable by non-experts (in the fields of electronics and mechanical design).

The apparatus disclosed herein are practical and effective for people running experiments and/or for implementing fish behaviour influencing systems. Attention has been paid to the user interface to make it simple to use and reliable, and other elements have been considered, such as making the devices wirelessly programmable to cut down on tangled wires, etc. Efforts have been made to keep the apparatus modular and easy to maintain. Exemplary apparatus may comprise an Arduino microcontroller platform.

The apparatus 100 may be used to research and develop techniques for influencing fish behaviour using light stimuli, which can be implemented in other exemplary apparatus disclosed herein. These implementing apparatus may be less complex than the apparatus 100 and may be low maintenance and easy to use.

In exemplary apparatus comprising batteries as a power source, the batteries may be rechargeable.

A user device may be utilised to program the apparatus with instructions for the operation of the one or more light sources by the light source controller. In such cases a user interface may be implemented on the user device. The user interface is intuitive and may be used with minimal training, although a visual manual may be provided as well as online video tutorials.

The apparatus is rugged, waterproof, has a long battery life, is capable of wireless communication, has electronic resilience and an easily used user interface.

A computer program may be configured to provide any of the above described methods. The computer program may be provided on a computer readable medium. The computer program may be a computer program product. The product may comprise a non-transitory computer usable storage medium. The computer program product may have computer-readable program code embodied in the medium configured to perform the method. The computer program product may be configured to cause at least one processor to perform some or all of the method.

Various methods and apparatus are described herein with reference to block diagrams or flowchart illustrations of computer-implemented methods, apparatus (systems and/or devices) and/or computer program products. It is understood that a block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by computer program instructions that are performed by one or more computer circuits. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor circuit of a general purpose computer circuit, special purpose computer circuit, and/or other programmable data processing circuit to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus, transform and control transistors, values stored in memory locations, and other hardware components within such circuitry to implement the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks, and thereby create means (functionality) and/or structure for implementing the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block(s).

Computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks.

A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium may include an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or semiconductor data storage system, apparatus, or device. More specific examples of the computer-readable medium would include the following: a portable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM) circuit, a read-only memory (ROM) circuit, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) circuit, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), and a portable digital video disc read-only memory (DVD/Blu-ray).

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer and/or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks.

Accordingly, the invention may be embodied in hardware and/or in software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) that runs on a processor, which may collectively be referred to as "circuitry," "a module" or variants thereof.

It should also be noted that in some alternate implementations, the functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the flowcharts. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. Moreover, the functionality of a given block of the flowcharts and/or block diagrams may be separated into multiple blocks and/or the functionality of two or more blocks of the flowcharts and/or block diagrams may be at least partially integrated. Finally, other blocks may be added/inserted between the blocks that are illustrated.

The skilled person will be able to envisage other embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An apparatus for attachment to a fishing device and for emitting light in a subsea environment, the apparatus comprising: one or more light sources configured to emit light at one or more wavelengths; and a light source controller configured to control the emission of light from the one or more light sources; and a memory configured to store instructions for controlling the emission of light from the one or more light sources, wherein the light source controller is configured to control the emission of light from the one or more light sources based on the stored instructions.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is programmable and further comprises a receiver configured to receive the instructions from a user device.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the receiver is configured to receive the instructions over a wireless or wired communications link.
4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the instructions specify one or more of: a time period of time during which the one or more light sources should be on; a time period of time during which the one or more light sources should be off; an intensity of light to be emitted from the one or more light sources; and a wavelength of light to be emitted from the one or more light sources.
5. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising an on-board power source.
6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the on-board power source comprises a galvanic power source.
7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the galvanic power source comprises a zinc anode and a gold plated cathode each configured to be exposed to seawater when the apparatus is in a subsea environment.
8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the gold plated anode comprises a plurality of fins.
9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a housing configured to prevent ingress of water.
10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the housing is configured to prevent ingress of water at depths up to 1000m.
11. An apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the housing is configured to be connected to a fishing device.
12. An apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the housing comprises a chassis, on which the one or more light sources, the light source controller and the memory are mounted, and which is at least partially encased in a resin.
13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more light sources comprise light emitting diodes.
14. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, configured when fitted to a fishing device to provide an aperture for allowing fish of a predetermined size to escape the net.
15. A system comprising a plurality of apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the plurality of apparatus are configured to emit light cooperatively to produce an overall pattern of light emission from the plurality of apparatus.
16. A system according to claim 15, wherein the cooperative emission comprises the plurality of apparatus being configured to emit light to define one or more of: a particular geometric shape or pattern; a temporal pattern; and a colour pattern.
17. A system according to claim 15 or 16, wherein each of the plurality of apparatus is preprogramed with one or more of: a time at which it should emit light; and a colour of light to be emitted.
18. An apparatus and/or system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
19. A system according to any of claims 15 to 18, wherein the plurality of apparatus are configured to transmit data to each other for the cooperative emission of light.
20. An apparatus for attachment to a fishing device and for emitting light in a subsea environment generally as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.