NZ772527B2 - An apparatus for destroying parasites on fish - Google Patents

Abstract

apparatus for facilitating the treatment of parasites on fish has a conduit (100) with first (104) and second (105) open ends and an internal passage to accommodate a fish (101) passing from the first end to the second end through the internal passage. A light source (103) is adapted to illuminate a section of the internal passage radially inwardly from substantially all sides simultaneously, such that a fish moving through said section is illuminated from substantially all sides when the light source is activated. A detecting means (102, l02a) is provided for detecting a fish moving through the conduit. A control means is configured to activate the light source in response to the detection of a fish by the detection means. The detecting means is positioned relative to the light source, and the control means is configured to activate the light source, only when the eyes of the fish are beyond the section illuminated by the light source. In this way the fish can be treated for sea lice infestations by irradiating them with light of a suitable wavelength, without damaging the eyes of the fish. e a section of the internal passage radially inwardly from substantially all sides simultaneously, such that a fish moving through said section is illuminated from substantially all sides when the light source is activated. A detecting means (102, l02a) is provided for detecting a fish moving through the conduit. A control means is configured to activate the light source in response to the detection of a fish by the detection means. The detecting means is positioned relative to the light source, and the control means is configured to activate the light source, only when the eyes of the fish are beyond the section illuminated by the light source. In this way the fish can be treated for sea lice infestations by irradiating them with light of a suitable wavelength, without damaging the eyes of the fish.

Description

AN TUS FOR DESTROYING PARASITES 0N FISH TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates an apparatus for destroying parasites on fish. In particular the invention has ation in the treatment ofsea lice parasites on salmon and similar fish.

BACKGROUND ART The global salmon farming industry is estimated to be worth USD$14 billion per annum, with a total of2,073,500 tons of salmon harvested by Norwegian seafood company Marine Harvest in 2017 alone. As demand for salmon and many other breeds of fish has multiplied, the farmed fish industry has grown in equal measure.

Accommodating the growth ofthis market has led to fish farms with populations as large as tens ofthousands per acre. A common problem for salmon farmers in particular is sea lice — small parasites which cling to the bodies ofthe salmon and feed on flesh and blood. These sea lice are known to cause a reduction in fish growth as well as a loss in appetite, factors which reduce farmer profits as well reducing the quality of food and standard of animal welfare. Moreover, salmon lice can cause ly damaged fins and skin lesions, and thereby physiological , and furthermore problems with salt regulation, increased susceptibility to other 2O infections and reduced disease resistance in individual fish. Salmon lice can also cause reduced swimming performance. Sea lice can also cause the spread of disease t a farm tion. Marine Harvest estimate that sea lice can wipe out up to 12% ofa farm population. Consequently, strong antibiotics are often required to be introduced to fish feed, the residual traces ofwhich are then found in the products ers purchase in supermarkets and ere. This has led to concerns about sed antibiotic resistance in humans.

As well as spreading disease within a farm population itself, sea lice can spread disease outwards to wild populations of fish when farms are situated off-shore or on . This has led to an observed reduction in the numbers ofvarious wild fish populations — and in particular salmon — worldwide, haVing wider negative implications for the global ecosystem.

Treating sea lice infestations is expensive. al treatment with hydrogen peroxide is effective in removing sea lice and is considered one ofthe more environmentally friendly s, r there is a icant risk ofwiping out an entire farm population ifthe volume ofhydrogen peroxide used and the time of exposure is not monitored very closely. A thermolicer, in which the fish are introduced to a warm bath to kill the lice, has immediate effect but can cause the death ofa significant percentage ofthe farm tion due to the warm water temperatures. Alternatively a hydrolicer allows farmers to power wash parasites off the fish, but this can cause damage to the scales ofthe fish and rmore their epidermal mucus, which acts as a skin-level protective barrier nity to many forms ofpathogens and is considered a significant determinant in fish health.

US Published Patent No. US9072281B2 relates to a deVice for destroying parasites on fish, such as salmon lice on salmon in fish farms, comprising a camera communicating with a controlling unit which in turn communicates with a light source adapted to fire pulses ofpoint shaped light which is harmful for the parasite in question. The camera identifies the position oflice using contrast, and these positions are fed to the laser control. This apparatus is expensive ng costs of approximately USD$35,000 per year), demanding significant processing power and costly technical features and assembly.

W02018/O99504 discloses a method for combating salmon lice and other ectoparasites in lture, in which fish are ed through a conduit with UV light sources ed radially therein.

Similarly to W02018/099504, UK Patent Application GB2309621A relates a method for allegedly reducing parasite infestation in aquacultures wherein a fish is directed through a conduit containing radially-positioned transducers ured to generate “transient cavitational ”to remove lice from fish. A detector may detect the presence ofa fish in the conduit and, in cooperation with a controller, trigger the transducers. GB2309621A also discloses the use ofa counter to count the number of fish passing through the conduit.

Since fish are primarily farmed as a source offood, it is well understood that the health ofthe fish is a priority of fish farmers. Exposure to a high-powered light source such as in W02018/099504, even for a short period oftime, may cause damage to the cornea and could result in cataracts (all leading to impaired Vision, if 2019/082197 not blindness) ifthe eyes ofthe fish are d to the light source. Ifa fish is partially or fully blinded by the light , their ability to locate their food and thus feed is diminished or completely removed altogether. Not only does the ity to feed damage the general health ofthe fish and often lead to death, Where the fish survive the quality of the food product provided at the consumer end is dramatically diminished.

It is therefore desirable to develop an apparatus Which is both cost ive and less technically demanding in its configuration, Which offers the ability to destroy parasites in a short time Without risk of death to a farm tion or other ve effects on the health thereof, and Without compromising the ethical or nmental integrity of its character.

SUMMARY Accordingly, there is provided an tus for facilitating the treatment of parasites on fish, comprising; a conduit having first and second open ends and an internal passage to accommodate a fish passing from the first end to the second end through the internal passage; a light source adapted to illuminate a section ofthe internal passage radially inwardly from substantially all sides simultaneously, such that a fish moving h said section is illuminated from substantially all sides When the light source is activated; a detecting means for detecting a fish moving through the conduit; a control means configured to activate the light source in response to the detection ofa fish by the detection means, Wherein the detecting means is positioned relative to the light source, and the control means is configured to activate the light source only When the eyes ofthe fish are beyond the section illuminated by the light source.

In contrast to ng approaches to the treatment ofparasites such as sea lice, the apparatus ofthe present disclosure does not attempt to remove the parasites mechanically or thermally, or to identify and destroy them individually With ed lasers. Instead, the present disclosure subjects the fish to a treatment by light that acts on the entire fish, with the exception possibly ofthe head and eyes, as it moves past a radially ly directed light source (which may be a single source or several sources). The apparatus does not require complex control ofa directed light source to individual points on the fish, and can be implemented using simple mechanical or optical detectors to detect the presence or passage ofthe fish.

In some embodiments, the term ‘destroy’ as used in oying a te’may mean to cause the death ofa parasite. In some embodiments, the term ‘destroy’ as used in ‘destroying a parasite’may mean a reduction of ability ofthe parasite to move (or even total paralysis ofthe parasite), such that it is neutralised as a threat to the fish. Moreover, paralysis may be temporary or permanent.

It is of great importance that the fish not be blinded in the process both from an ethical standpoint and from the standpoint that t vision the fish are unable to find their food, thus negatively impacting the health ofa farm population. This is an advantageous consideration when at the same trying to remove the need for moving parts, which increase manufacture and maintenance costs as well as negatively impacting the reliability ofa system.

Accordingly, the arrangement ofthe detecting means and the light source, and the operation ofthe ller, ensures that the eyes ofthe fish are not harmed by the light source. This is done by ensuring that the eyes ofthe fish are beyond the section which is illuminated by the light source, i.e. that n ofthe t in which the light intensity from the light source would damage the fish’s eyes by exposure.

Further preferably the ing means comprises a sensor which detects an interruption caused by the fish passing the sensor.

Moreover preferably the sensor comprises a beam source and beam detector, providing a beam which is interrupted by the passage ofthe fish.

Further ideally the sensor s the leading edge ofa fish, and wherein the sensor is spaced apart from the light source in the direction ofthe second end.

Furthermore preferably the sensor is spaced apart from the light source by a distance of at least lcm, and more preferably at least 2 cm, or 3 cm.

Preferably, the sensor is spaced apart from the light source by a distance sufficient that by the time the nose ofthe fish triggers the , the eyes ofthe fish are beyond the point where the light from the light source could damage them.

Preferably the control means comprises a switch which ately triggers the activation ofthe light source upon detection ofa fish. r preferably the light source remains activated while the detection means continues to detect a fish and is deactivated once the detection means no longer detects a fish.

Ideally the control means comprises a timer to deactivate the light source after a predetermined time.

Preferably the internal passage is dimensioned to admit one adult salmon only at a time. r y the al passage is dimensioned to admit one smolt only at a time.

Further ideally the internal e is sufficiently large that the fish is free to swim through it.

Preferably the light source comprises a plurality of sources arranged circumferentially around said section.

Configuring the light source to be static and provide circumferential coverage ofthe fish allows for the omission ofmoving parts which in existing treatments are required to e this coverage ofthe fish. It is emphasised once more that moving parts increase the maintenance costs and possibly the frequency ofmaintenance works on the system, and reduce the reliability ofthe system as a whole, particularly when considering that moving parts subject to an e environment such as that under water are more likely to fail. Moreover, the inclusion ofmoving parts may generate sound underwater which may have an adverse affect on encouraging fish to swim through the unit without the use of force.

Preferably the conduit is generally cylindrical.

Preferably the detecting means comprises a mechanical detector which detects the fish by its movement.

Further, ideally the mechanical detector detects the fish by the movement ofwater caused by the fish moving. ably the light source is accommodated within internal passage defined by the In certain embodiments, the light source ses a collimated light source.

In certain embodiments, the collimated light source comprises one or more .

Further preferably the collimated light source comprises one or more laser diodes.

Preferably the light source comprises one or more LEDs.

Ideally the light source is operable to illuminate a fish within said section with light haVing a wavelength suitable to kill a proportion of sea lice without causing substantial damage to the fish.

In one aspect the wavelength is in the range of300-500nm.

In another aspect the wavelength is in the range of 00nm.

Preferably the light source operates at a power ofnot more than 3W.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises an actuating means for counting fish in the Vicinity of the conduit.

Further preferably the at least one break beam provides the actuating means.

Further ideally the at least one break beam is operationally associated with the l means which is further operationally associated with an alerting means, for alerting a farmer ifa fish has failed to depart the Vicinity ofthe conduit.

Preferably the alerting means comprises a display unit red to display messages relating to the onality and operation ofthe apparatus. ably the apparatus further comprises an image capture means for capturing images ofthe fish in the Vicinity of the conduit.

Further ably at least one camera provides the image capture means.

Further ideally the image capture means is operationally associated with a software package for counting point differences on a surface.

Ideally the software package is capable of detecting point differences on the size scale ofparasites ing fish.

Further preferably the image e means is operationally associated with a software package for estimating the masses ofobjects within a captured frame.

BRIEF PTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present teaching will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates two side ions ofthe exemplary embodiment; Figure 2 illustrates a plan view ofthe exemplary embodiment; and Figure 3 is a table relating fish weight to percentage output power ofa light source, according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The t disclosure will now be described with reference to an exemplary apparatus for destroying parasites on fish. It will be tood that the exemplary apparatus is provided to assist in an understanding ofthe teaching and is not to be construed as limiting in any fashion. Furthermore, elements or components that are described with reference to any one Figure may be interchanged with those of other Figures or other equivalent elements t departing from the spirit ofthe present teaching. It will be iated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

Referring to Figs. 1-3, there is illustrated a plurality of views ofa conduit 100 in which a fish 101 may be odated. The fish 101 will trigger a detecting means 102 in the course ofits e through the conduit 100. In the exemplary embodiment, the detecting means is itself operationally associated with a light source 103 such that the detection ofthe fish 101 in the Vicinity ofthe conduit 100 causes the activation ofthe light source 103.

The conduit 100 has a first end 104 and second end 105, and defines a passage through which the fish may move from the first end to the second end. A controller (not shown) provides the operational association between the detector and the light . In the embodiment illustrated, the controller is a simple switch but more sophisticated control systems can be included.

Once activated, a light source 103 provides light of frequency sufficient to destroy parasites but which does not affect the fish 101 in any substantial way. In the exemplary ment, the fish 101 is salmon, since sea lice are a problem particular to salmon. It will be appreciated, r, that the apparatus may be adapted to the treatment of other fish susceptible to surface parasites, for example trout.

The light source 103 illuminates a section ofthe internal passage radially inwardly from substantially all sides simultaneously, such that a fish moving h said section is illuminated from substantially all sides when the light source 103 is activated. The section that is illuminated can be an extended length so that several etres ofthe fish 101 are exposed along its length and around its circumference at a given point in time, or can be a simple ring oflight that washes over the fish 101 as it passes through. Other arrangements, such as a pattern of lights within a cylinder can be used (for example a spiral arrangement along the length ofa cylinder), ed that the fish 101 is treated on substantially all sides as it moves through the section that is illuminated. In the embodiment illustrated, the light source is shown as a pair of sources that are positioned on either side ofthe fish to illuminate both flanks ofthe fish, and extending over the majority ofthe length ofthe conduit. It will be appreciated that such an arrangement may be ed by an array ofLEDs or lasers distributed within the interior surface ofthe conduit, and the number, l position and distribution pattern can be varied as required to ensure that the surface ofa fish passing through the conduit is substantially illuminated on all sides. The light source need not be ed on two flank sides only, and can extend 360 degrees around the conduit.

Preferably, the light source(s) emit light at a ngth in a range of 300-500nm.

Alternatively or additionally, the light sources may emit light at a wavelength in the range of800-1200nm. The wavelength is chosen to affect the lice without unduly damaging the flesh ofthe fish, Preferably the light source operates at a power ofnot more than 3W In the exemplary embodiment the detecting means 102 is positioned in the Vicinity ofthe conduit 100 in such a way as that the light source 103 will be triggered when the eyes ofthe fish 101 are not within the region of exposure to the light source 103, thus avoiding blinding the fish. This step is advantageous in maintaining the ethical integrity of an tus which seeks at the same time to free itselffrom the need for moving parts (which would target specific spots on the fish 101) and instead “bathe”the fish 101 in the light to destroy parasites. Furthermore, ng blinding the fish is also important for the health ofthe farm population, as without sight the fish will not be able to find their food.

In an ary embodiment, the detecting means 102 is a break beam 102a which the fish 101 triggers with its front end. It is enVisaged by the inventor that other detecting means are possible, for example a fiowmeter can be used to detect turbulence caused by the existence ofthe fish 101 in the Vicinity of the conduit 100, or a mechanical detector such as a t switch might be red by the fish’s body; this may then be used in conjunction with calculations of average travel time for the fish n the entrance and the exit ofthe conduit 100 to estimate when the fish’s eyes will be beyond the region of exposure. Where a or (such as the break beam illustrated) is triggered by the leading edge ofthe fish 101, the spacing ofthe detector 102 from the light source 103 is preferably selected so that by the time the nose ofthe fish 101 triggers the or, the eyes ofthe fish 101 are beyond the point where the light from the light source 103 could damage them.

It is enVisaged by the inventor that the conduit 100 may be manufactured in a range of dimensions appropriate to the size of the fish 101 a farmer wishes to treat. By way of example, in ments involving smolts the internal passage ofthe conduit 100 may be dimensioned to have a diameter in the approximate range of 20mm to 200mm inclusive. 1n embodiments involving more mature fish, the conduit may be dimensioned to have a diameter in the approximate range of60mm to 650mm. These ranges of diameters are provided by way of example only; other ranges of diameters (or diameter values in the imate range ofthe above- quoted ranges) are envisaged as being feasible to suit various industrial needs in s contexts. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, the conduit 100 is dimensioned such that it is sufficiently large to permit a fish to swim within the interior volume the conduit 100 defines but sufficiently small such that a plurality of fish are impeded from simultaneously occupying the interior volume defined by the conduit 100. In the ary embodiment the conduit 100 is a er, however it is envisaged by the inventor that other geometries are possible. The conduit 100 will preferably be designed and selected to permit the fish 101 to swim through the e with the skin ofthe fish 101 sufficiently close to the light source(s) to ensure good treatment.

To introduce the fish 101 to the conduit 100 such that it enters the conduit 100 “eyes first”, the fish 101 can be encouraged or forced to swim into the tube naturally, e.g. by positioning the conduit as an outlet from a region that the fish 101 is encouraged to leave due to crowding or other environmental induced factors, or s a region to which the fish is ted. Alternatively, a graVity drop may be used to exploit the bias ofthe centre ofmass of fish towards their heads. The introduction ofa current against which fish must swim, for e provided by an inclined slope up which the fish must swim to exit a tank (not pictured) in the Vicinity of the conduit 100 and thus enter the conduit 100, may provide the means ofintroducing the fish “eyes first”. Other means ofintroducing the fish eyes first are enVisaged by the inventor.

The light source 103 may be a laser or plurality oflasers, or another collimated light source such as a laser diode. It is envisaged by the inventor that other light sources may be implemented such as LEDs. This light source 103 es a power input no greater than 3W, although the power will typically be chosen to ensure that there is a light intensity in a predetermined range at a given distance from the source, i.e. the typical distance from the source to the surface of an averagely sized fish passing through the centre ofthe conduit. This light source 103 may operate in the wavelength range 300-500 nanometres. The intensity, wavelength and duration of exposure are selected to ensure that the parasites are lly destroyed without unduly adversely affecting the fish. In the exemplary embodiment, the exposure time may be r than or equal to 1 second.

To count fish in the Vicinity of the conduit 100, it is enVisaged by the inventor that an ing means may be implemented. In one embodiment, the actuating means is a break beam. In an exemplary embodiment, one break beam arrangement 106 for counting is placed in the Vicinity of the entrance ofthe conduit 100, and a second break beam 102 for counting is placed in the Vicinity ofthe exit ofthe conduit 100. A fish count is advantageous information to a fish farmer, who will want to track the percentage ofhis farm population successfully treated. In the illustrated embodiment, the ing means comprising the pair ofbreak beams located in the vicinity of the entrance and exit ofthe conduit 100 respectively are further operationally connected with the controller which may be further connected to an ng means (not pictured) for alerting a user such as a farmer that a fish has failed to exit the conduit 100. This may, for example, provide the user the option to cancel the process and extract the fish from the conduit 100. This is beneficial to fish welfare and reduces the possible amount oftime a farmer might spend t realising a fish is stuck. In the exemplary embodiment, the alerting means is a display unit such as an LCD screen positioned remotely at a control station or control panel, or e.g. within a mobile app controlling the operation ofthe apparatus.

It is envisaged by the inventor that other alerting means are possible, including but not limited to an optical alerting mechanism such as a flashing LED or an audio alert.

In addition to counting fish in the vicinity of conduit 100, an image e means (not pictured) such as a camera or plurality ofcameras may be implemented for counting tes on the fish. In the exemplary ment, the image capture means is operationally associated with a software package with point detection sensitivity suitable for counting the parasites affecting fish. In one embodiment, the software package counts the parasites autonomously and as such may comprise artificial intelligence or other means of autonomously ng parasites on fish. It is envisaged by the inventor that this parasite counting process may be conducted in real-time during the operation ofthe apparatus, or alternatively after the fact.

Counting tes on fish is advantageous for a farmer in determining how efficacious a given treatment is and ultimately the health oftheir farm population.

In one embodiment, a camera may be placed in the ty ofthe entrance to the conduit 100 and furthermore a second camera may be placed in the vicinity ofthe exit ofthe conduit 100, to make possible comparison n the tion oflice on the fish 10] before and after it has passed through the conduit for treatment.

In a further embodiment, the image capture means may be ated with a software package configured to estimate the masses of objects in a captured frame.

This will find utility with farmers who need to accurately estimate biomass in their farm tion at a given time for example for regulatory purposes. A farmer who wishes to maintain an organic certificate typically must comply with an upper biomass limit of10kg/cubic metre. Calculations ass are typically performed using an estimation or combined estimations ofapproximately: how many fish are in a given area, what weight these fish are, how much feed have they consumed. These estimations can be time consuming, inaccurate and there is typically little room for movement with regulatory bodies regarding figures. Autonomous and accurate calculation ass is thus of great utility to fish farmers.

As has been mentioned, an advantageous feature ofthe present disclosure is that there are no moving parts. Given the adverse environment in which the present disclosure and relevant prior art must operate, the use ofmoving parts in the present disclosure would not only reduce the reliability of the apparatus, but also increase the cost facture and purchase. The present disclosure may also provide indiscriminate 360 degree coverage ofthe body ofthe fish without the technical demand ofa camera or other means of detecting the sea lice. This avoids the occurrence offalse or failed detections of sea lice which can arise from, for example, technical faults in a camera or computer program.

As discussed in the foregoing, the term ‘destroy’as used in ‘destroy parasites’in this context can mean to kill or to paralyse (partially or entirely, temporarily or permanently). In some embodiments, once the sea lice have been subjected to the output ofthe light source 103 the fish 101 may be washed/rinsed to remove parasites remaining which may be dead or paralysed on the surface ofthe fish 101.

In some embodiments, once the sea lice have been subjected to the output ofthe light source the fish 101 may directed through a sweeping means to remove parasites ing which may be dead or paralysed on the surface ofthe fish 101.

By way of example, said sweeping means may comprise a partially resilient/flexible membrane which traverses the surface ofthe fish 101 causing the removal of tes remaining which may be dead or sed on the e ofthe fish 101.

Such a sweeping means can be integrated into the conduit, after the fish has passed the light source.

It will be appreciated by the person of skill in the art that various modifications may be made to the above described embodiments without ing from the scope of the t invention. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the operation ofthe system has been described with reference to particular values such as wavelength and power which are provided by way of example only, it will be WO 04641 understood that alternative values may be used. For example, the values may change when the experimental setup is scaled or modified within the scope ofthe present disclosure. Moreover, it will be understood by those d in the art that the absence ofmoving parts in the exemplary embodiment is indeed by way of example only. In this way it will be tood that the teaching is to be limited only insofar as is deemed necessary in the light ofthe ed claims.

Similarly the words comprises/comprising when used in the cation are used to specify the presence of stated ions, integers, steps or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more additional formations, rs, steps, ents or groups thereof.

It will be understood that while exemplary features of an apparatus for destroying parasites on fish have been described that such an arrangement is not to be construed as limiting the invention to such features. The method for destroying/removing parasites from fish may be controlled by a controller ented in re, f1rmware, hardware, or a combination thereof. In one mode, the method is implemented in software, as an able m, and is executed by one or more special or general purpose digital computer(s), such as a personal computer (PC; IBM-compatible, Apple-compatible, or otherwise), personal digital assistant, workstation, minicomputer, or mainframe computer. The controller may be implemented by a server or computer in which the software modules reside or lly reside.

Generally, in terms ofhardware architecture, such a computer will include, as will be well understood by the person skilled in the art, a processor, memory, and one or more input and/or output (I/O) devices (or peripherals) that are communicatively coupled Via a local interface. The local ace can be, for example, but not limited to, one or more buses or other wired or wireless connections, as is known in the art.

The local interface may have additional elements, such as controllers, buffers (caches), drivers, repeaters, and receivers, to enable communications. Further, the local interface may include address, control, and/or data connections to enable appropriate communications among the other computer components.

The processor(s) may be programmed to perform the functions ofthe method for removing/destroying parasites on fish, such as by monitoring the break beam or other sensors, and triggering the light source to be activated for a sufficient duration oftime to treat the fish. The sor(s) is a hardware device for ing software, particularly re stored in memory. Processor(s) can be any custom made or commercially available processor, a primary processing unit (CPU), an auxiliary processor among l processors ated with a computer, a semiconductor based microprocessor (in the form ofa microchip or chip set), a processor, or generally any device for executing software instructions.

Memory is associated with processor(s) and can include any one or a combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)) and non-volatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM, etc.). Moreover, memory may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storage media. Memory can have a distributed architecture where various components are situated remote from one another, but are still accessed by processor(s).

The software in memory may include one or more separate programs. The separate programs comprise d listings of executable instructions for implementing logical functions in order to implement the functions ofthe modules. In the example ofheretofore described, the software in memory es the one or more components ofthe method and is executable on a suitable operating system (0/8).

The present disclosure may include components provided as a source program, executable program (object code), script, or any other entity comprising a set of instructions to be performed. When a source program, the program needs to be translated via a compiler, assembler, interpreter, or the like, which may or may not be included within the , so as to operate properly in connection with the 0/8. rmore, a ology implemented according to the teaching may be expressed as (a) an object oriented programming language, which has s of data and methods, or (b) a procedural programming language, which has routines, subroutines, and/or functions, for example but not limited to, C, C++, , Basic, Fortran, Cobol, Perl, Java, and Ada.

When the method is implemented in software, it should be noted that such software can be stored on any computer readable medium for use by or in connection with any computer related system or method. In the context ofthis teaching, a computer readable medium is an electronic, ic, optical, or other physical device or means that can contain or store a computer program for use by or in connection with a computer related system or method. Such an arrangement can be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor- containing , or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In the context ofthis disclosure, a ”computer-readable medium” can be any means that can store, icate, ate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution , apparatus, or device. The computer readable medium can be for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. Any process descriptions or blocks in the Figures, should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions ofcode which include one or more executable instructions for enting specif1c logical functions or steps in the process, as would be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art.

The above detailed description of embodiments ofthe sure is not ed to be exhaustive nor to limit the disclosure to the exact form disclosed. While specific es for the disclosure are described above for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize various modifications are possible within the scope ofthe disclosure. For example, while processes and blocks have been demonstrated in a particular order, different implementations may perform routines or employ systems having blocks, in an alternate order, and some processes or blocks may be deleted, supplemented, added, moved, ted, combined, and/or modified to e different combinations or sub-combinations. Each ofthese processes or blocks may be implemented in a variety of alternate ways. Also, while processes or blocks are at times shown as being performed in sequence, these processes or blocks may instead be performed or implemented in parallel or may be performed at different times. The results ofprocesses or blocks may be also held in a rsistent store as a method ofincreasing throughput and reducing sing requirements.

Claims (29)

Claims

1. An tus for facilitating the treatment of tes on fish, comprising; a conduit having first and second open ends and an internal e to accommodate a fish passing from the first end to the second end through the internal passage; a light source adapted to illuminate a section of the internal passage radially inwardly from ntially all sides simultaneously, such that a fish moving h said section is illuminated from substantially all sides when the light source is activated; a detecting means for detecting a fish moving through the conduit; and a control means configured to activate the light source in response to the detection of a fish by the detection means, wherein the ing means is positioned relative to the light source, and the control means is configured to activate the light source, only when the eyes of the fish are beyond the n illuminated by the light source.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detecting means comprises a sensor which detects an interruption caused by the fish passing the sensor.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises a beam source and a beam detector, providing a beam which is interrupted by the passage of the fish.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 or 3, wherein the sensor detects the leading edge of a fish, and wherein the sensor is spaced apart from the light source in the direction of the second end.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the sensor is spaced apart from the light source by a distance of at least 3 cm.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 or 5, wherein the sensor is spaced apart from the light source by a distance sufficient that by the time the nose of the fish triggers the sensor, the eyes of the fish are beyond the point where the light from the light source could damage them.

7. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the control means comprises a switch which immediately rs the activation of the light source upon detection of a fish.

8. The tus of claim 7, wherein the light source remains activated while the detection means continues to detect a fish and is deactivated once the detection means no longer detects a fish.

9. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the control means comprises a timer to deactivate the light source after a predetermined time.

10. The apparatus of any preceding claim; wherein the internal passage is dimensioned to admit one adult salmon only at a time.

11. The apparatus of any of claims 1-9, wherein the internal passage is dimensioned to admit one smolt only at a time.

12. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the light source comprises a plurality of sources ed circumferentially around said section

13. The apparatus of any preceding claim; wherein the conduit is generally cylindrical.

14. The tus of any preceding claim, wherein the detecting means comprises a mechanical detector which detects the fish by its movement.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the mechanical detector detects the fish by the nt of water caused by the fish moving.

16. The apparatus as d in any preceding claim, wherein the light source is accommodated within the internal passage defined by the conduit.

17. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the light source ses a collimated light source.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the collimated light source comprises one or more lasers; or wherein the collimated light source comprises one or more laser diodes.

19. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-16, n the light source comprises one or more LEDs.

20. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the light source is operable to illuminate a fish within said section with light having a wavelength suitable to kill a proportion of parasites without causing ntial damage to the fish; wherein said wavelength is in the range of 0 nm; or wherein said wavelength is in the range of 800-1200nm.

21. The apparatus of any one of claims 20, wherein the light source operates at a power of not more than 3 W.

22. The apparatus of any us claim, further comprising an actuating means for counting fish in the vicinity of the conduit.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein at least one break beam provides the actuating means.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the at least one break beam is operationally associated with the control means which is further ionally ated with an alerting means, for ng a farmer if a fish has failed to depart the vicinity of the conduit.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the alerting means comprises a display unit configured to display messages relating to the functionality and operation of the apparatus.

26. The apparatus of any previous claim, further comprising an image capture means for capturing images of the fish in the vicinity of the conduit, n at least one camera provides the image capture means.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the image capture means is operationally associated with a software package for counting point differences on a surface.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the software package is capable of detecting point differences on the size scale of tes affecting fish.

29. The apparatus of claim 25, n the image capture means is operationally associated with a software package for estimating the masses of objects within a captured frame.