Commercial post larval collector habitat

Abstract

The collector habitat device comprises panels of non-biodegradable and/or synthetic fibrous material set in durable weatherproof frames and attached to a base; when placed in, the panels hang within the water column providing numerous parallel settlement surfaces for post-larvae. A float assembly, optionally attached to the opposite side of the base from the panels, allows the device to float just below the water's surface. The collector habitat device also incorporates a guard, surrounding the panels, with apertures to allow settlement-stage post-larvae access to the settlement surfaces, while preventing larger organisms and potential predators from gaining access. The collector habitat device also, optionally, incorporates an optionally removable/re-attachable reservoir hung below the guard; and an optional olfactory attractant delivery device.

1 . A post-larvae collector comprising: 
 (a) a base having a top surface and a bottom surface;    (b) at least one panel component attached perpendicularly to the bottom surface of the base further comprising synthetic fibrous material set in a frame; and    (c) a guard component which runs along the periphery of the base and encapsulates the panel component(s), the guard component having apertures of a suitable size to allow for the entry of pre-settlement post-larvae into the collector.    
     
     
         2 . The collector of  claim 1 , wherein the collector comprises from about 2 to about 30 panel components.  
     
     
         3 . The collector of  claim 2 , wherein panel components are spaced from about 1 cm to about 3 cm apart.  
     
     
         4 . The collector of  claim 1 , wherein the guard component comprises a weather resistant mesh material.  
     
     
         5 . The collector of  claim 1 , wherein the guard component comprises apertures from about 4 to about 8 mm in size.  
     
     
         6 . The collector of  claim 1 , wherein the guard component comprises sides and a bottom.  
     
     
         7 . The collector of  claim 6 , wherein the apertures of the bottom of the guard component are larger than the apertures of the sides of the guard component.  
     
     
         8 . The collector of  claim 7 , wherein the apertures of the bottom of the guard component are from about 8 to about 12 mm in size and the apertures of the sides of the guard component are from about 4 to about 8 mm in size.  
     
     
         9 . The collector of  claim 6 , further comprising a reservoir attached to the bottom of the guard, wherein the reservoir comprises sides which extend up over a portion of the sides of the guard.  
     
     
         10 . The collector of  claim 9 , wherein the reservoir is removable and re-attachable.  
     
     
         11 . The collector of  claim 9 , wherein the reservoir comprises a light weight plastic material.  
     
     
         12 . The collector of  claim 9 , wherein the reservoir comprises drainage slits in the sides of the reservoir.  
     
     
         13 . The collector of  claim 1 , further comprising a float component attached to the top of the base.  
     
     
         14 . The collector of  claim 13 , further comprising an olfactory dispensing device for containing an olfactory attractant, attached to the float component.  
     
     
         15 . The collector of  claim 14 , wherein the olfactory attractant is comprised of extracts of biological products and by-products of Rhizaphora mangle; Laguncularia racemosa; Gracilaria species; Nasutitermes aeajutlae; and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The collector habitat of  claim 15 , wherein the olfactory attractant comprises from about 40-60% Rhizaphora mangle; from about 5-10% Laguncularia racemosa; from about 20-40% Gracilaria species; and from about 5-10% Nasutitermes aeajutlae.  
     
     
         17 . A post-larvae collector comprising: 
 (a) a rectangular base having a top surface and a bottom surface;    (b) from 5 to 20 panel components attached perpendicularly to the bottom surface of the base and aligned parallel to each other, each panel comprising synthetic fibrous material set in a frame;    (c) a guard component comprising four walls and a bottom; wherein the four walls attach at the periphery of the base such that the base and panel components are surrounded by the four walls of the guard component, the guard component having apertures of a suitable size to allow for the entry of pre-settlement post-larvae into the collector; and    (d) a removable and re-attachable reservoir attached to the bottom of the guard, the reservoir having sides which extend up over a portion of the walls of the guard component.    
     
     
         18 . A method of harvesting post-larvae marine organisms, comprising 
 (a) inserting a collector habitat device into a body of water inhabited by marine organisms, the collector habitat device comprising: 
 i. a base having a top surface and a bottom surface;  
 ii. at least one panel component attached perpendicularly to the bottom surface of the base further comprising synthetic fibrous material set in a frame; and  
 iii. a guard component which runs along the periphery of the base and encapsulates the panel component(s), the guard component having apertures of a suitable size to allow for the entry of pre-settlement post-larvae into the collector;  
   (b) allowing sufficient time for pre-settlement post-larvae marine organisms to enter the device, settle to the panels and grow to a desired post-larvae stage; and    (c) removing the collector habitat device from the water and harvesting the post-larvae marine organisms.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the collector habitat device further comprises a reservoir attached to the bottom of the guard for collecting the post-larvae after removing the collector habitat device from the water.