Patent ID: 7222585

Claim:
An apparatus for use in commercial cultivation of aquatic organisms, the apparatus comprising: (a) a tank, with a bottom, containing an aqueous media, the tank being adapted for control of the quality of the aqueous media; (b) one or more support elements in the tank, which extend in a substantially perpendicular direction to the bottom of the tank, wherein each support element is adapted to hold a plurality of cells; and (c) a plurality of cells, each cell comprising: a self-contained unit with a single interior region, lacking any dividing element(s) therein, and adapted for receiving a marine or freshwater organism to be grown therein in a volume of aqueous media, a perforated wall to facilitate free flow of aqueous media between the interior and exterior of the cell, and a port for insertion or removal of the marine or freshwater organism; and said port being attachable to said support so that said cell can be individually removed from said support, and when said port is attached to the support element, the support element blocks the port so as to contain the marine or freshwater organism within said cell.