The present invention provides methods and apparatus for efficiently removing fish from gill nets and consistently initiating the bleeding process by providing electronic units having a flat outer surface with a sensor thereon, and a piston-actuated blade mounted behind an opening in the surface adjacent to the sensor. Electronics are provided to receive signals from the sensor and to operate the piston. In operation, a fish entangled in a gill net is brought near the sensor along the flat surface such that the fish gill is near the blade opening. Upon sensing the fish, the piston is actuated causing the blade to briefly extend through the opening in the surface in order to simultaneously cut the net and also punch into the gill of the fish, and then quickly retract. This action cuts the fish free from the net with minimal damage to the net, and also initiates the bleeding process.

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for efficiently removing fish from gill nets and consistently initiating the bleeding process by providing electronic units having a flat outer surface with a sensor thereon, and a piston-actuated blade mounted behind an opening in the surface adjacent to the sensor. Electronics are provided to receive signals from the sensor and to operate the piston. In operation, a fish entangled in a gill net is brought near the sensor along the flat surface such that the fish gill is near the blade opening. Upon sensing the fish, the piston is actuated causing the blade to briefly extend through the opening in the surface in order to simultaneously cut the net and also punch into the gill of the fish, and then quickly retract. This action cuts the fish free from the net with minimal damage to the net, and also initiates the bleeding process.