Australia’s government has awarded a patent to Chilean firm Ocean Arks Tech for its “superyacht” design aimed at developing aquaculture operations in the deep sea.
The patent was granted for a 20-year term and complements the patent Puerto Montt-headquartered Ocean Arks Tech attained at the beginning of the year from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
“Today, we celebrate another remarkable milestone for our company, and we want to thank Australia for welcoming us with its trademark strategic vision and commitment to ocean innovation,” Ocean Arks Tech Founder and Director Rodrigo Sanchez said in a LinkedIn post. “Thank you, Australia, for granting us the patent for our invention!”
Sanchez told SeafoodSource that the company has worked to protect its invention in several countries considered by his firm to be most strategic, with patents now granted by Chile, the U.S., and Australia, as well as another patent expected soon.
“We’ll keep working hard to ensure our technology helps Australia become a key hub for sustainable fish production – for its people and, if they so wish, for the entire planet,” he said.
The firm’s superyacht aquaculture concept is a response to criticism of traditional aquaculture methods, in which environmentalists and animal rights activists have claimed waste from fish-farming operations harm seabeds, fish are kept under poor conditions, usage of medication and antibiotics can harm wild marine animal populations, and operations encroach on protected lands.
To alleviate those issues, Ocean Arks Tech has proposed to use huge vessels to move fish-farming operations to the deep sea.
The ship, which would have open-water pens on both sides, can be positioned much closer to end markets where the fish are sold, significantly cutting down on transport emissions.
Additionally, the concept vessel measures 550 feet by 197 feet, boasts a heliport, and is specifically designed to operate offshore in waves up to 7 meters in height, allowing for optimal farming conditions and better mimicking of a fish’s natural conditions, which leads to healthier, happier fish that require less medication to treat, according to the company.
The vessel would also have the ability to operate fully autonomously for up to 25 days.
“Think of it as an oil rig,” Sanchez previously told SeafoodSource. “We are going to have the ship far from the coast, and the crew, together with supplies such as fish feed, are transported to the vessel via boats; the transport of juveniles would be loaded onto the vessel by wellboat; and the harvest is brought back to shore via wellboats.”
According to Sanchez, the ship also has low carbon emissions as its engines would be used solely to position the vessel in the best place for the fish in terms of water quality, temperature, and oxygen.
Sanchez acknowledged potential competition arising from China regarding the development of other seafood-focused offshore vessels.
However, according to Sanchez, the majority of those ships are basically taking the land-based concept and placing them on the sea.
“The fish are raised in tanks [located on the ships] their entire lives, which is completely unnatural and goes against the new consumer trend demanding products that are raised in environments that are as natural as possible and that have had a ‘happy breeding,’” Sanchez said.
Besides securing patents, Sanchez told SeafoodSource that Ocean Arks Tech has been in “deep conversations with a potential investor” but does not want to raise expectations of finalizing a deal before talks conclude.
“This [potential investor] is awesome, has a great heart, and truly believes in using our technology to make our planet healthier and to bring sustainable food to everyone,” he said, adding that Ocean Arks Tech expects to have the investment decision concluded by the end of 2025.
