Scientific Research Breakthrough: Mechanized Mussel Harvesting Adds New Invention Patent for Aquaculture Equipment
Shellfish represent a key sector of China’s shallow‑sea aquaculture industry. The single‑rope hanging culture of mussels boasts large‑scale industrial output. Nevertheless, mussel harvesting at sea has long relied heavily on manual labour, featuring high labour intensity and low operational efficiency, which restricts large‑scale industrial development. Good news comes from the Fishery Machinery and Instrument Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences. Led by Professor Zhou Rong’s research team, a mechanized harvesting device adapted to single‑rope cultured mussels has been officially granted a national invention patent (Patent No. ZL 2021 1 0889994.7).
Specially developed for single‑rope mussel farming scenarios, this harvesting equipment integrates multiple functional units. Its core components include a front lifting frame, front catching device, Z‑shaped conveyor, mussel separation system, farming rope collection system, rear lifting frame and rear catching power system. The complete, systematic mechanized harvesting solution addresses a full range of offshore operations: hauling cultured mussel ropes onboard, separating mussels from farming ropes, and recycling used ropes.
Traditionally, offshore mussel harvesting demanded substantial manpower for rope hauling, mussel stripping and rope sorting. Harsh marine working conditions drove up labour costs. Once deployed, this patented equipment enables fully mechanized mussel harvesting. It greatly reduces dependence on manual labour at production sites and improves offshore harvesting efficiency, transforming conventional manual‑based harvesting modes.
China has a solid foundation for mussel aquaculture, yet mechanized shellfish harvesting remains an industry bottleneck. While many farming procedures have achieved modernization, the lack of well‑adapted offshore harvesting equipment hinders industrial upgrading and efficiency gains. Tailored for real‑world single‑rope farming conditions, this patented technology holds promising prospects for industrial promotion after implementation. It facilitates the transition of shallow‑sea shellfish aquaculture toward greater equipment utilization and modernization.
Innovation in fishery equipment constitutes a vital pillar for developing the “Blue Granary”. R&D on mechanized harvesting equipment is also underway for other raft‑cultured shellfish such as oysters. The acquisition of this patent accumulates technical experience for developing similar shellfish farming machinery, helping seawater aquaculture step away from labour‑intensive production and empowering offshore fishery production with advanced equipment.
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