An octopus trap that includes a housing defining an interior containment space; an entrance opening to the interior containment space through which an octopus may enter the interior containment space; a trap door assembly that includes a trap door that is biased toward a first, closed position in which the entrance opening is blocked, the trap door being displaceable between the closed position and a second, open position in which the entrance opening is revealed; a trigger assembly that is capable of retaining the trap door in its open position against its bias, and that is capable of being triggered by an octopus from inside the containment space such that, when triggered, it causes the trap door to displace from its open position to its closed position and wherein the trigger assembly is capable of retaining the trap door in its closed position once triggered.

A crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system and method of crawfish farming on flooded fields, providing multiple baited crawfish traps connected via a pipe system through which crawfish are flushed to a collection hopper. Crawfish traps having sealable entryways and a sealable baiting riser allow entry of crawfish into the traps, attracted by bait, during an unpressurized phase, and subsequent application of water pressure at a pump end of the system, which seals the entryways and baiting riser and flushes trapped crawfish through the piping and other traps toward a collection hopper at a collection end of the system. This crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system and method does not require manual harvesting, does not require a boat and boat operator, and does not cause boat-related damage to the fields.

The present disclosure includes an underwater retrieval device for retrieving an underwater instrument. The device includes a buoyancy means, a cable reel, a controller configured to receive an external signal, a release mechanism in communication with the controller, and a locking mechanism configured to lock the cable reel. The locking mechanism can comprise a locking pin engageable with the cable reel, a locking lever biased in an unlocked configuration, and a lock for securing the locking lever in the locked configuration. There is also provided an underwater retrieval system that includes the underwater retrieval device and a rewinder device that can rewind the device without disassembly or replacement of parts. When the device receives the external signal, the controller sends a signal to the release mechanism, which releases the lock and unlocks the cable reel, which allows the device to return to the surface via the buoyancy means.

A trap accessory for attachment to a marine trap that facilitates release of by-catch. A buoyant recovery buoy is operably attached to a trap frame secured to the marine trap. Components for operably attaching the recovery buoy to the trap frame include a latch and attachment components, of which at least one of these components is a Degradable Metal (DM). The DM maintains the integrity of the trap and trap accessory for a pre-determined time, typically 1 year or less. When one or more of the DM components are sufficiently degraded, the recovery buoy is released to open a slot through which animals can escape. A buoy line connected to the trap frame maintains connection between the marine trap and the recovery buoy, which assists in recovery of the marine trap.

A trap accessory for attachment to a marine trap that facilitates release of by-catch. A buoyant recovery buoy is operably attached to a trap frame secured to the marine trap. Components for operably attaching the recovery buoy to the trap frame include a latch and attachment components, of which at least one of these components is a Degradable Metal (DM). The DM maintains the integrity of the trap and trap accessory for a pre-determined time, typically 1 year or less. When one or more of the DM components are sufficiently degraded, the recovery buoy is released to open a slot through which animals can escape. A buoy line connected to the trap frame maintains connection between the marine trap and the recovery buoy, which assists in recovery of the marine trap.

A spring-loaded crabbing device for catching crabs. The spring-loaded crabbing device includes an elongated shaft utilized as a handle, wherein two gripping jaws are connected to an end thereon. The gripping jaws being hingedly connected via a spring biased toward a closed position. The closed position is formed when the outer perimeters of the gripping jaws align with each other, while an open position is formed when the perimeter edges opposite the hinged connection are separated from each other. The gripping jaws are held in an open configuration via a triggering mechanism having two rigid members that are each pivotally attached to a separate gripping jaw and movable radially relative to the gripping jaws. The rigid members of the triggering mechanism interact in a way which allows the gripping jaws to move into the closed position when activated.

A spring-loaded crabbing device for catching crabs. The spring-loaded crabbing device includes an elongated shaft utilized as a handle, wherein two gripping jaws are connected to an end thereon. The gripping jaws being hingedly connected via a spring biased toward a closed position. The closed position is formed when the outer perimeters of the gripping jaws align with each other, while an open position is formed when the perimeter edges opposite the hinged connection are separated from each other. The gripping jaws are held in an open configuration via a triggering mechanism having two rigid members that are each pivotally attached to a separate gripping jaw and movable radially relative to the gripping jaws. The rigid members of the triggering mechanism interact in a way which allows the gripping jaws to move into the closed position when activated.

Apparatuses, methods, and systems are provided for making the harvesting of sea life efficient. For example, real-time or periodic information about the status of the many traps a fisherman may have set is communicated to the fisherman while the traps are still in the water. A fisherman can use this information to determine the best time and path for trap retrieval and reset operations to reduce fuel use and improve the catch efficiency per unit effort.

Apparatuses, methods, and systems are provided for making the harvesting of sea life efficient. For example, real-time or periodic information about the status of the many traps a fisherman may have set is communicated to the fisherman while the traps are still in the water. A fisherman can use this information to determine the best time and path for trap retrieval and reset operations to reduce fuel use and improve the catch efficiency per unit effort.

A system for retrieval of objects submerged and lost in water is disclosed. The system comprises a gas release cartridge, an activation assembly arranged for activation of the gas release cartridge in response to at least one of: lapse of time, pressure, trigger-wire, indirect water contact, or remote acoustic command or any combination thereof, components of which are all contained in an inflatable bladder. A guide line, one end thereof attached to the bladder and the other end connectable to the object, is housed inside a non-watertight casing together with the inflatable bladder.