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.

The invention is a system comprising a wire cage crustacean trap coupled to a remotely controlled subsystem operative to receive a control-coded acoustic signal and thereupon open an electrically controlled pneumatic valve allowing gas under pressure to be conveyed to a deflated bladder, such that the bladder inflates and brings the system to the surface. Backup systems will cause the valve to open when a preprogrammed time duration has elapsed and/or when a water leak is detected inside the remotely controlled subsystems water-tight container.

The invention is a system comprising a wire cage crustacean trap coupled to a remotely controlled subsystem operative to receive a control-coded acoustic signal and thereupon open an electrically controlled pneumatic valve allowing gas under pressure to be conveyed to a deflated bladder, such that the bladder inflates and brings the system to the surface. Backup systems will cause the valve to open when a preprogrammed time duration has elapsed and/or when a water leak is detected inside the remotely controlled subsystems water-tight container.

A bait container that is attached to inside of a trap, the bait container having a sidewall that forms an enclosure along with a cover that may open and close, a first connector that connects the cover to a door on the trap and a second connector that has some elasticity and that connects the cover to a lower or bottom portion of the container or the trap, the second connector securing the cover in a closed position when the trap door is closed and the first connector opening the cover when the trap is open such that the cover to the bait container is opened or closed as a user opens and closes the door to the trap.

A bait container that is attached to inside of a trap, the bait container having a sidewall that forms an enclosure along with a cover that may open and close, a first connector that connects the cover to a door on the trap and a second connector that has some elasticity and that connects the cover to a lower or bottom portion of the container or the trap, the second connector securing the cover in a closed position when the trap door is closed and the first connector opening the cover when the trap is open such that the cover to the bait container is opened or closed as a user opens and closes the door to the trap.

In one aspect, a trap for capturing a marine animal, e.g., a lobster, is disclosed, which includes a housing having an inlet port for receiving a marine animal, said inlet port being configured to prevent the marine animal from leaving the container, and a sensor coupled to the housing for detecting the presence of the marine animal in the housing. In some embodiments, a stretchable netting is coupled to the inlet port such that the marine animal passes through the netting before entering the housing via the inlet port. A stretch detector can be coupled to the netting to register the passage of a marine animal via the netting into the housing. The passage of a marine animal through the netting can result in a stretch of the netting, which is registered by the stretch signal. The stretch signal indicates the passage of the marine animal into the housing.

In one aspect, a trap for capturing a marine animal, e.g., a lobster, is disclosed, which includes a housing having an inlet port for receiving a marine animal, said inlet port being configured to prevent the marine animal from leaving the container, and a sensor coupled to the housing for detecting the presence of the marine animal in the housing. In some embodiments, a stretchable netting is coupled to the inlet port such that the marine animal passes through the netting before entering the housing via the inlet port. A stretch detector can be coupled to the netting to register the passage of a marine animal via the netting into the housing. The passage of a marine animal through the netting can result in a stretch of the netting, which is registered by the stretch signal. The stretch signal indicates the passage of the marine animal into the housing.

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a crustacean trap can include a cage configured to trap one or more crustaceans, and a propulsion system connected to the cage and configured to provide propulsion to the cage. In certain embodiments, the trap can include a controller configured to control the propulsion system to autonomously pilot the trap.

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a crustacean trap can include a cage configured to trap one or more crustaceans, and a propulsion system connected to the cage and configured to provide propulsion to the cage. In certain embodiments, the trap can include a controller configured to control the propulsion system to autonomously pilot the trap.

An example line restraint system comprises a housing, a processor, a motor, a release cam, and a timer. The release cam comprises a stem portion and an arm portion. The stem portion is proximate to the housing and the arm portion may be opposite the stem portion. The stem portion may be rotatably coupled to the motor. The motor may be configured to turn the arm portion of the release cam between an open and closed state. When in the closed state, an overhang of the arm portion at least partially defines a cavity capable of retaining a release line. When in the open state, the release cam opens the cavity to enable release of the release line. The timer may receive instructions from the processor to set a particular time and to trigger the motor to turn the release cam from the closed state to the open state.