Patent ID: 6327996
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: A01K,Y02A

Abstract:
A biosecure zero-exchange aquaculture system for producing commercially desirable marine animals comprising:(a) specific pathogen free saline aqueous medium including: a specific pathogen free microbial population which recycles uneaten feed, residual solids, metabolites, and enhances growth rates of a stock of specific pathogen free crustaceans or mollusks;(b) a stock of specific pathogen free marine crustaceans or marine bivalve mollusks;(c) a specific pathogen free tank in which said aqueous medium is contained;(d) a specific pathogen free nutrition source adapted to provide appropriate proportions of all nutrients and minerals required for survival and growth of said stock and the microbial population throughout system operation;(e) means for agitation and aeration to provide proper proportions of aerobic and anaerobic conditions within the growth medium, maintain necessary oxygen levels, and keep a portion of the solids and microbes in suspension in said growth medium; wherein, during normal operation of the system,1) uneaten nutrition source, solid residues, and metabolites are retained in said system, establishing favorable conditions for high growth and yield of said marine crustaceans or mollusks; and2) said system is adapted to exclude the introduction of contaminants from the surrounding environment into the system to maintain specific pathogen free conditions throughout system operation.