Patent Description:
In various applications within the fish industry there is a need for transport of fish from one location to another location, such as for vaccination, sorting, slaughtering, from ships to fish reservoirs or similar by the use of pump systems. Examples of such solutions are <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

In <CIT> is described a pumping system including a pipe section having a uniform inside diameter, and a production water piping circuit connected to branch pipes on the upstream and downstream ends of the pipe section, forming a loop with the pipe section. The production water circuit comprises a pump and valves for pumping production water into the pipe section through the inlet branch pipe and out through the outlet branch pipe. There is also provided a method for pumping upload water and fish along the pipe section, comprising the steps of drawing production water out of the pipe section through the downstream end of the pipe section, and simultaneously inducing a flow of upload water and fish through the pipe section. The method also includes the step of pumping production water into an upstream end of the pipe section and causing a flow of upload water and fish along the pipe section.

<CIT> discloses a method and system for moving killed fish in a pipe or pipeline, comprising water and supply of pressurized air or water pressure or both to create zones having different properties in the pipe or pipeline to form a controllable water flow for propulsion of and controlled retention time of fish in the pipe or pipeline.

From <CIT> is known a segmented fish pump system. The segmented fish pump system includes a series of booster pump segments stacked upon an intake pump segment, forming an enclosed stream throughout, wherein each booster pump segment induces further upward flow, thereby minimizing the pressure and velocity needed for the intake pump of the intake pump segment. As a result, lessening trauma to fragile aquatic life at collection and further providing a nautical environment within the enclosed stream for the aquatic life to be transported, as well as self-propelled to higher elevations.

In <CIT> is described a method and system for pumping particles in a liquid, in particular living fish in water, where a chamber draws a liquid and particles up from a liquid volume through a closed duct, the chamber being connected to the suction side of an ejector and a pump for formation of a sub-pressure in the chamber. At the same time, gas supplied from the compressor to the liquid column in the chamber contributes further to the acceleration of liquid flow through the chamber. The ejector is driven by a liquid flow from the pump or of gas from the compressor. The closed duct is connected to a non-return valve or check valve, preventing liquid and particles from returning to the liquid volume. Liquid and particles are transferred out of the chamber and through the ejector and then into a closed duct to the receiving unit. The system also comprises an external supply line, which is controlled by means of a valve on the external supply line and a valve on the supply from a chamber. The external supply is used for example for cleaning of the system with pure or clean water, filling of water at start-up and operation of an ejector in cases, when particles may have a tendency to clog an outlet.

From <CIT> is known a method, a device and a fish-farm for controlling the concentration of living organisms in fluid in order to facilitate the handling of the organisms such as grading and counting. Said apparatus comprises a first in-feed channel for a flow of living organism in a fluid, a second in-feed channel for a flow of fluid, a chamber containing a lever for regulating the flow from the first and the second in-feed channel through the chamber, an outlet, and a computer. A sensor is positioned in the first in-feed channel for detecting the density of living organism in the flow, and wherein a computer continuously and automatically regulates the ratio of flow from the first and the second in-feed channel through the chamber and towards the outlet by the lever in response to the density of living organism in the flow determined by the sensor.

However, a common feature of these systems is that they do not provide a fully automatic solution in relation to a processing station or receiving reservoir or storage container receiving the transported alive fish. A further drawback is that they do not provide an even flow of alive fish delivered to the processing station or receiving reservoir or storage container.

It is further a need for a method and system that may provide improved fish welfare in relation to prior art solutions.

There is also a need for a method and system providing improved control in relation to emptying of a fish reservoir or storage in relation to prior art solutions.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for transportation of alive fish partly or entirely solving the drawbacks of prior art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for fully automatic transportation of alive fish.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system for fully automatic transportation of alive fish from a water-filled fish reservoir or storage container to a processing station or receiving reservoir or storage container.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for transportation of alive fish capable of delivering alive fish to the processing station or receiving reservoir or storage container with an even flow of alive fish.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system for transportation of alive fish wherein the even flow of alive fish delivered to the processing station or receiving reservoir or storage container is manipulated by controlled water supply.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for transportation of alive fish wherein the even flow of alive fish is controlled based on a desired amount of alive fish in a downstream flow of a controllable pump.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system for transportation of alive fish wherein the flow of alive fish is adapted the capacity of the processing station or receiving reservoir or storage container.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for transportation of alive fish providing improved fish welfare compared to prior art solutions.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system for transportation of alive fish providing improved control of emptying of a water-filled fish reservoir or storage container compared to prior art solutions.

Further objects of the present invention will appear from the following description, claims and attached drawings.

A method for transportation of alive fish according to the present invention is disclosed in claim <NUM>. Preferable features of the method are disclosed in the dependent method claims.

A system for transportation of alive fish according to the present invention is disclosed in claim <NUM>. Preferable features of the system are disclosed in the dependent system claims.

The present invention is related to a method and system for transportation of alive fish in moving water from a water-filled fish reservoir or storage container to a processing station or receiving reservoir or storage container. The present invention is especially related to transportation of alive fish in moving water, from the water-filled fish reservoir or storage container to the processing station or receiving reservoir or storage container by using at least one controllable pump connected to the water-filled fish reservoir or storage container and processing station or receiving reservoir or storage container by hoses or pipelines, and wherein an even flow of alive fish is delivered to the processing station or receiving reservoir or storage container.

The processing station will typically be a vaccination station or sorting station or a combined vaccination station and sorting station.

The use of other reservoir or storage container is herein related to reservoirs or storage containers internally in a fish handling plant or the receiving reservoir or storage container may be arranged on a truck or marine vessel enabling controlled delivery of alive fish from the water-filled fish reservoir or storage container to receiving reservoir or storage container facilitating counting of transported alive fish.

The present invention is related to alive fish in general, i.e. from small sized alive fish, such as smolt, to large sized alive fish.

The method for transportation of alive fish comprises an initial step of adjusting pump velocity of the controllable pump to achieve a desired transport velocity of water flow therethrough and maintaining the desired transport velocity. The transport velocity, i.e. water flow, may be read by using a pressure or flow sensor arranged in association with the controllable pump enabling controlling of the controllable pump.

The method for transportation of alive fish further comprises a step of pumping a flow of water through the controllable pump and to the processing station or receiving reservoir or storage container.

As the method according to the present invention is maintaining the transport/flow velocity of the controllable pump and thus providing a constant water flow downstream the controllable pump at all time, the method comprises, as the water level in the water-filled reservoir or storage tank is reduced and thus the water flow through the controllable pump will be reduced, increasing the pump velocity automatically to maintain the constant transport/flow velocity downstream the controllable pump.

The method according to the present invention comprises the use of an optical sensor system arranged downstream the controllable pump, for detecting/measuring the amount of alive fish in a downstream flow of the controllable pump.

The method according to the present invention further comprises, if the optical sensor system measures/detects that a desired/preset amount of fish has reached the optical sensor system downstream the controllable pump, manipulating the amount of fish in an upstream flow of the controllable pump by supplying a controlled amount of water in the upstream flow of the controllable pump resulting in that a lower amount of fish reaches the controllable pump while the controllable pump maintains the same transport/water flow velocity downstream of the controllable pump.

The amount of alive fish that is measured/detected by the optical sensor system provides a measure for volume of fish in the downstream flow, i.e. does not count the number of fishes in the downstream flow. The desired/preset amount of alive fish measured/detected by the optical sensor system is accordingly set as percentual filling/coverage of fish in the hose or pipeline downstream the controllable pump.

In this way is achieved a method for transporting/pumping alive fish from a fish reservoir or storage container to a processing station or receiving reservoir or storage container such that the alive fish is provided/supplied at even flow/rate to the processing station or receiving reservoir or storage container.

The set-point of the optical sensor system may be controlled automatically from the processing station or receiving reservoir or storage container, or manually by an operator at the processing station or receiving reservoir or storage container. By e.g. using sensor means associated with the processing station or receiving reservoir or storage container, information/measurements from the sensor means may be used for controlling the set-point of the optical sensor system controlling the supply of water in the upstream flow of the controllable pump and providing an even flow/rate of alive fish delivered to the processing station or receiving reservoir or storage container.

According to a further embodiment of the method according to the present invention, it further comprises self-priming of the controllable pump.

Accordingly, the method according to the present invention provides an even flow/rate of alive fish delivered to the processing station or receiving reservoir or storage container at any time, until the water-filled fish reservoir or storage container is emptied.

A system for transport of alive fish in moving water from a water-filled fish reservoir or storage container to a processing station or receiving reservoir or storage container according to the present invention comprises at least one controllable pump, connected at an inlet thereof by means of a hose or pipeline to the water-filled fish reservoir or storage container and connected at an outlet thereof by means of a hose or pipeline to the processing station, such as a sorting station or vaccination station, or receiving reservoir or storage container of a facility, marine vessel or truck.

The system according to the present invention is further provided with a controllable water supply connected to the hose or pipeline upstream the at least one controllable pump via at least one controllable valve.

The system according to the present invention is further downstream the controllable pump provided with an optical sensor system for detecting/measuring amount of alive fish in downstream flow of the at least one controllable pump.

The system according to the present invention is further provided with a control unit provided with means and/or software for controlling the at least one controllable pump and the at least one controllable valve for controlling the supply of water in the upstream flow.

For controlling of the at least one controllable pump, a pressure or flow sensor is arranged in association with the controllable pump to provide information about the pump velocity/transport/water flow velocity.

The control unit is according to the present invention provided with means and/or software for controlling the controllable pump according to the measured pressure or flow in the controllable pump by the pressure or flow sensor to achieve a desired and constant water flow downstream the controllable pump.

The control unit is further according to the present invention provided with means and/or software for controlling the controllable valve of the water supply upstream the controllable pump based on measurements/detections of amount of alive fish in the downstream flow of the controllable pump made by the optical sensor system. The amount of alive fish that is measured/detected by the optical sensor system provides a measure for volume of fish in the downstream flow, i.e. does not count the number of fishes in the downstream flow. The desired/preset amount of alive fish measured/detected by the optical sensor system is accordingly set as percentual filling/coverage of fish in the hose or pipeline downstream the controllable pump.

According to a further embodiment of the system according to the present invention, the processing station or receiving reservoir or storage container is provided with sensor means controlling the set-point of the optical sensor system. By e.g. using sensor means associated with the processing station or receiving reservoir or storage container, information/measurements from the sensor means may be used for automatically controlling the set-point of the optical sensor system resulting in automated control of the supply of water in the upstream flow of the controllable pump.

According to a further embodiment of the system according to the present invention the set-point of the optical sensor system is controlled manually by an operator of the processing station, such as a sorting station or vaccination station, or receiving reservoir or storage container, wherein the manually setting may be used for controlling the set-point of the optical sensor system controlling the supply of water in the upstream flow of the controllable pump.

Accordingly, the system according to the present invention provides an even flow/rate of alive fish delivered to the processing station or receiving reservoir or storage container at any time.

By the present invention is further provided a method and system for transportation of alive fish providing improved fish welfare compared to prior art solutions.

The present invention further provides a method and system for transportation of alive fish providing improved control of emptying of a water-filled fish reservoir or storage container compared to prior art solutions.

Further preferable features and advantageous details of the present invention will appear from the following example description, claims and attached drawings.

The present invention will below be described in further detail with references to the attached drawings, where:.

Reference is now made to <FIG> which is a principle drawing of a system for transport of alive fish <NUM> in moving water from a water-filled fish reservoir <NUM> or storage container holding alive fish <NUM> to be transported to a processing station, such as a sorting station <NUM> or vaccination station <NUM>, or receiving reservoir or storage container <NUM>, know per se.

The system according to the present invention comprises at least one controllable pump <NUM>, such as an impeller pump, centrifugal pump or similar, driven by a controllable electric motor <NUM>. The choice of controllable pump <NUM> as well as the properties thereof will be related to the required lifting height (difference in height between fish reservoir <NUM> or storage container and processing station or receiving reservoir or storage container <NUM>), capacity, as well as size of alive fish <NUM> to be transported.

Accordingly, the at least one pump <NUM> should be capable of transporting/moving large amounts of a fish stock in a very safe and gentle manner. It is further a requirement that the alive fish <NUM> remain in moving water during the entire transport from the fish reservoir <NUM> or storage container to the processing station <NUM>, <NUM> or receiving reservoir or storage container <NUM>.

The at least one controllable pump <NUM> should further be arranged for precise controlling allowing accurate adjustments of pump speed and flow rate.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention the at least one controllable pump <NUM> is provided with an internal or external automatic priming system <NUM>, such that the controllable pump <NUM> is self-priming. The priming system <NUM> is preferably arranged to evacuate air from the controllable pump <NUM> without any external auxiliary devices. The priming system <NUM> according to the present invention is formed by a buffer tank <NUM>, a controllable priming pump <NUM> (vacuum pump) and at least one level sensor <NUM>. The controllable priming pump <NUM> is arranged to the inlet <NUM> of the controllable pump <NUM> and will draw water and air from the upstream flow of the controllable pump <NUM> into the buffer tank <NUM> that is elevated above the inlet <NUM> of the controllable pump <NUM>. The level sensor <NUM> is arranged to read the water level in the buffer tank <NUM>, which e.g. may have volume of <NUM> liters. Accordingly, the automatic priming system <NUM> according to the present invention works by that the controllable priming pump <NUM> creates a suction drawing water and air from the inlet flow of the controllable pump <NUM> until the buffer tank <NUM> is filled with water, wherein the filling thereof result in that air present will be aerated through the mentioned priming pump <NUM>. When the at least one level sensor <NUM> detects that the buffer tank <NUM> is filled the controllable priming pump <NUM> is stopped. When the at least one level sensor <NUM> detects a lower limit for water in the buffer tank <NUM> the controllable pump <NUM> is again started and water and air, if present, is again drawn into the buffer tank <NUM> as described above.

By the automated priming system <NUM> according to the present invention it ensured that the controllable pump <NUM> is able to deliver the required water flow downstream of the controllable pump <NUM>. Air in the water flow will result in that the water velocity will drop, and it is thus essential that one is able to remove as much as possible of this air before the water reaches the controllable pump <NUM>.

The present invention is also advantageous over prior art solution by that it results in reduced noise of the overall system as the priming pump <NUM>, due to the use of a buffer tank <NUM>, will only run for short period of times to fill the buffer tank <NUM>. This will also result in lower maintenance costs as the priming pump <NUM> will extended operating time. As the priming pump <NUM> does not require constant operation, which is the case with prior art solutions, this will also result in considerable saving of energy, compared to prior art solutions.

Inlet <NUM> of the at least one controllable pump <NUM> is connected to the water-filled fish reservoir <NUM> or storage container upstream of the at least one controllable pump <NUM> by means of a hose or pipeline <NUM> extending from the inlet <NUM> and down into the water-filled fish reservoir <NUM> or storage container, close to the bottom of the water-filled fish reservoir <NUM> or storage container. In an alternative embodiment the hose <NUM> or pipeline is connected to an outlet (not shown) arranged in the bottom or close to the bottom of the water-filled fish reservoir <NUM> or storage container.

The system according to the present invention further comprises a controllable water supply <NUM> connected to the hose <NUM> or pipeline upstream of the inlet <NUM> via a branch connection <NUM> arranged to the hose <NUM> or pipeline. The branch connection <NUM> is preferably a Y-connection arranged such that water may be supplied in the upstream flow, in a flow direction from the water-filled fish reservoir <NUM> or storage container towards the controllable pump <NUM>. The water supply <NUM> is controllable via at least one controllable valve <NUM> arranged in the water supply <NUM> in front of/upstream the branch connection <NUM>.

Outlet <NUM> of the at least one controllable pump <NUM> is connected to the processing station, such as a sorting station <NUM> or vaccination station <NUM>, or receiving reservoir or storage container <NUM>, by means of a hose <NUM> or pipeline downstream the at least one controllable pump <NUM>. It should be mentioned that the processing station may be a combined vaccination and sorting station.

In <FIG> is shown an example of a vaccination station <NUM> comprising a buffer reservoir <NUM> or buffer tank receiving the transported alive fish <NUM> from the water-filled fish reservoir <NUM> or storage container in front of the vaccination station <NUM>. The buffer reservoir <NUM> or buffer tank is further connected to the vaccination station <NUM> via a hose <NUM> or pipeline.

In the shown example, there is further arranged sensor means <NUM>, such as a float or sliding bulkhead, in the buffer reservoir <NUM> or buffer tank which may be used for controlling, which will be described in further detail below.

The sorting station <NUM> may similarly be provided with sensor means <NUM>, such as an optical sensor system, vision system, fish amount sensor, fish counter sensor or similar, that may be used for controlling, which will be further described below.

The receiving reservoir or storage container <NUM> may similarly be provided with sensor means <NUM>, such as an optical sensor system, vision system, fish amount sensor, fish counter sensor or similar, that may be used for controlling, which will be further described below.

The system according to the present invention is further provided with an optical sensor system <NUM>, arranged downstream of the at least one controllable pump <NUM>, for measuring/detecting amount of alive fish in the downstream flow of the at least one controllable pump <NUM> to the processing station <NUM>, <NUM> or receiving reservoir or storage container <NUM>. The optical sensor system <NUM>, such as a vision system, laser system, light curtain system or similar, known per se, is arranged to measure/detect the amount of alive fish in the downstream flow over a desired length D, e.g. from <NUM> and upwards, of the hose <NUM> or pipeline downstream the at least one pump <NUM> by means of the optical sensor system <NUM>. The optical sensor system <NUM> will typically comprise at least one optical sensor and at least one light source, enabling measurement/detection and calculation of amount of alive fish in the downstream flow. The amount of alive fish <NUM> that is measured/detected by the optical sensor system <NUM> provides a measure for volume of fish <NUM> in the downstream flow, i.e. does not count the number of fishes in the downstream flow. The desired/preset amount of alive fish <NUM> measured/detected by the optical sensor system <NUM> is accordingly set as percentual filling/coverage of fish <NUM> in the hose <NUM> or pipeline downstream the controllable pump <NUM>.

The system according to the present invention further comprises a pressure or flow sensor <NUM> arranged in association with the controllable pump <NUM> to detect the pump velocity/transport/water flow velocity of the controllable pump <NUM>.

References are now made to <FIG> and <FIG> for description of how the system and a method for transportation of alive fish according to the present invention works. In addition to the above described components the system according to the present invention further comprises a control unit <NUM> provided with means and/or software for controlling the at least one controllable pump <NUM> by controlling the electric motor <NUM> and controlling the external water supply <NUM> by controlling the controllable valve <NUM>.

The controlling of the controllable pump <NUM> is based on measured water pressure or flow in the controllable pump <NUM> provided by the pressure or flow sensor <NUM>. By reading the water pressure or flow in the controllable pump <NUM>, the electric motor <NUM> may be controlled by the control unit <NUM> to adjust the pump velocity/transport/water flow velocity such that a desired and constant water flow (transport velocity) through the controllable pump <NUM>, i.e. downstream water flow, is achieved and maintained.

Accordingly, by controlling the controllable pump <NUM> to a desired pump velocity/transport velocity, a suction is created at the inlet <NUM> and thus in the hose <NUM> or pipeline connected to the inlet <NUM> upstream of the controllable pump <NUM>. As an open end <NUM> of the hose <NUM> or pipeline upstream the controllable pump <NUM> is positioned close to the bottom of the water-filled fish reservoir <NUM> or storage container, the suction results in a flow of water and alive fish from the water-filled fish reservoir <NUM> or storage container, through the hose <NUM> or pipeline connected to the inlet <NUM>, through the controllable pump <NUM>, and out of the outlet <NUM> of the controllable pump <NUM> and into the hose <NUM> or pipeline downstream the controllable pump <NUM> extending to the processing station <NUM>, <NUM> or receiving reservoir or storage container <NUM> with a desired transport velocity/water flow velocity.

The optical sensor system <NUM>, as describes above, provides an amount of alive fish <NUM> transported in the hose <NUM> or pipeline over the distance D, which is reported to the control unit <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> is further provided with means and/or software for comparing the reported amount of fish <NUM> with one or more predetermined (desired) amounts (percentual filling/coverage) and when this or one of these predetermined amounts of fish is reached, i.e. desirable amount of fish <NUM> is present in the hose <NUM> or pipeline downstream the controllable pump <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> is arranged to control the controllable valve <NUM> to open for controlled supply of water <NUM> in upstream flow of the controllable pump <NUM>, thereby manipulating the amount of fish <NUM> in the upstream flow, resulting in that the controllable pump <NUM> pumps less amount of fish <NUM>, while the controllable pump <NUM> maintains the transport/water flow velocity out of the controllable pump <NUM> and in this way an even flow of alive fish <NUM> is provided to the processing station <NUM>, <NUM> or receiving reservoir or storage container <NUM>.

The set-point in the optical sensor system <NUM> may be set manually by an operator at the processing station <NUM>, <NUM> or receiving reservoir or storage container <NUM>, or automatically by sensor means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the processing station <NUM>, <NUM> or receiving reservoir or storage container <NUM>, respectively.

In the shown embodiment where a buffer reservoir <NUM> or tank is used in front of a vaccination station <NUM>, the buffer reservoir <NUM> or tank may be provided with sensor means in the form of a float or sliding bulkhead <NUM>, wherein reading or position thereof, controls the set-point, i.e. amount of fish, in the measurement system <NUM>, and thus affecting the controlling of the controllable valve <NUM> controlling the amount of fish supplied to the buffer reservoir <NUM> or tank to achieve an even flow of fish <NUM> delivered thereto.

In the shown embodiment is also shown sensor means <NUM> and <NUM>, such as an optical sensor system, vision system, fish amount sensor, fish counter sensor or similar, controlling the set-point, i.e. desired amount of fish <NUM>, in the optical sensor system <NUM>, and thus affecting the controlling of the controllable valve <NUM> controlling the amount of fish <NUM> supplied to the sorting station <NUM> or receiving reservoir or storage container <NUM> to achieve an even flow of fish <NUM> delivered thereto.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method and system for fully automatic transportation of alive fish <NUM> from a fish reservoir <NUM> or storage container to a processing station <NUM>, <NUM> or receiving reservoir or storage container <NUM>.

By the present invention is further achieved a method and system providing an even flow of fish <NUM> delivered to the processing station <NUM>, <NUM> or receiving reservoir or storage container <NUM> at any time.

Accordingly, if a desired amount (percentual filling/coverage) of fish <NUM> of e.g. between <NUM> % and <NUM> % of fish <NUM> in the water flow, is set at the processing station <NUM>, <NUM> or receiving reservoir or storage container <NUM>, the system according to the present invention will be able to deliver an even flow of fish <NUM> according to these preferences.

According to a further embodiment of the system according to the present invention there is further arranged a sensor means <NUM> in association with the water-filled fish reservoir <NUM> or storage container providing feedback to the control unit <NUM>. The sensor means <NUM> may e.g. be a pressure sensor or float capable of reading the water level in the water-filled fish reservoir <NUM> or storage container, wherein the readings/measurements from the sensor means <NUM> may be used for more rapid controlling of the controllable pump <NUM>, compensating for lower water level in the water-filled fish reservoir <NUM> or storage container.

The readings/measurements of the sensor means <NUM> may also be used for alerting/informing an operator that the water-filled fish reservoir <NUM> or storage container is close to empty or fully emptied.

The readings of the pressure or flow sensor <NUM> of the controllable pump <NUM> may also be used for alerting/informing an operator that the water-filled fish reservoir <NUM> or storage container is close to empty or fully emptied as the pressure sensor or flow sensor <NUM> then will experience a drop in the water flow through the pump <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> may for this be provided with a wireless or wired communication device communicating with an external communication device, such as a display, speaker, tablet, phone, computer, PLS or similar, for alerting/informing the operator about the state of the water-filled fish reservoir <NUM> or storage container.

According to a further embodiment, several controllable pumps <NUM> are arranged in series between the water-filled fish reservoir <NUM> or storage container and the processing station <NUM>, <NUM> or receiving reservoir or storage container <NUM> enabling increased lifting height or at use over long transport distances. This requires synchronization of the multiple pumps <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> described above may be provided with means and/or software for controlling all the pumps <NUM> or each pump <NUM> may be provided with a dedicated control unit <NUM>, wherein one of the control units <NUM> is arranged to provide synchronization. It should be mentioned that the described water supply <NUM> is only required to the pump closest to the processing station <NUM>, <NUM> or receiving reservoir or storage container <NUM>, and that the optical sensor system <NUM> will be arranged between the controllable pump <NUM> closest to the processing station <NUM>, <NUM> or receiving reservoir or storage container <NUM>.

If there are several parallel processing stations <NUM>, <NUM> or receiving reservoirs or storage containers <NUM>, the system may be provided with several controllable pumps <NUM> arranged in parallel to the same water-filled fish reservoir <NUM> or storage container. The controlling may then be performed by separate control of the controllable pumps <NUM> or by synchronization as described above.

The system according to the present invention may be provided with several of the mentioned pumps <NUM>, <NUM>, valves <NUM>, <NUM> or sensor means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> for redundancy or increased accuracy of measurements.

Claim 1:
Method for transportation of alive fish (<NUM>) in moving water from a water-filled fish reservoir (<NUM>) or storage container to a processing station (<NUM>, <NUM>) or receiving reservoir or storage container (<NUM>) by means of at least one controllable pump (<NUM>) connected between the water-filled fish reservoir (<NUM>) and processing station (<NUM>, <NUM>) or receiving reservoir or storage container (<NUM>) by hoses (<NUM>, <NUM>) or pipelines, wherein the method comprises adjusting pump (<NUM>) velocity of water flow therethrough to a desired transport velocity and maintaining the transport velocity, characterized in that the method comprises:
- detecting an amount of alive fish (<NUM>) in a downstream flow of the controllable pump (<NUM>), and
- if the detected amount of fish (<NUM>) in the downstream flow of the controllable pump (<NUM>) has reached a set-point for a desired amount of alive fish (<NUM>) manipulating the amount of fish (<NUM>) in an upstream flow of the controllable pump (<NUM>) by supplying a controlled amount of water (<NUM>) in the upstream flow of the pump (<NUM>) resulting in that an even flow of alive fish (<NUM>) is delivered to the processing station (<NUM>, <NUM>) or receiving reservoir or storage container (<NUM>).