Continuous Underway Fish Egg Sampler (CUFES®) is a new instrument used to study the distribution of fish eggs from a moving ship. It consists of a hull mount with submersible pump, concentrator and sample collector. Water is pumped continuously from a fixed depth (surface to 3 m) to the concentrator on board ship. Eggs and similarly-sized particles are retained in the sample collector. CUFES® operates continuously under all sea conditions.
Hull Mount Submersible Pump
A semi-vortex, submersible pump is attached to the bottom of a vertical, steel pipe fixed rigidly to the ship at two points. It is fixed to the ship by a horizontal metal pipe and clamps, one of which is either welded or bolted to the gunwale. The pipe is held firmly in a brace attached to the ship¹s hull 10 – 100 cm above the water line and by fore and aft guy wires. The vertical pipe can be pivoted into a horizontal position at the gunwale to allow access to the pump. The pump is normally powered by 220/460 VAC, three phase, but other specified voltages are available on special order. Water flows from the pump at 500 – 700 liters/min through a 75 mm diameter flexible hose situated inside the vertical pipe.
Concentrator
A Nitex net oscillates at 6 Hz over a 2 cm range in a watertight aluminum box with a clear acrylic front panel. Flow in the 75 mm hose from the pump enters the box and net at the top. Eggs and other particles are concentrated in a 10 – 30 liter/min flow, leaving the box at its lower front. The filtrate is discharged through two 75 mm hoses at the side of the box. The Nitex net is stretched taught in a frame which moves laterally on three guide rods. A .33 hp, 110/220 VAC motor and reducing gearbox mounted behind the watertight box drives the net frame via a shaft, watertight penetration with double bearings and seal and eccentric drive gear.
Inboard Sample Collector
A sliding plate directs flow in 19 mm Tygon tubing from the concentrator to one side of a knife-edge. Below, eggs and other particles are retained in a sample cup with a Nitex netting bottom. Flow is redirected manually by the user from one side to the other of the knife-edge, providing continuous collection of samples over user defined integration periods.
Outboard CUFES-100-OB
CUFES® system. Includes: overboard pipe system, pump, concentrator and sample collector, four guy wires and attachment fittings, shackles, nuts and bolts, hoses and tubing (except *75 mm dia suction hose) and spares suite.
CUFES-100-IB
CUFES® system. includes: inboard pump box with cover, pump, concentrator and sample collector, hoses and tubing (except *75 mm dia suction and discharge hose) and spares suite. Inboard
CUFES-100-P
Pump, spare DVSU62, 3 hp 3 phase (specify voltage & Hz)
CUFES-100-M
Motor, concentrator spare 110/220 VAC, 50/60 Hz