An extendable pot for catching fish, the extendable pot comprising: a frame structure comprising a main frame structure and an extendable frame structure, wherein the extendable frame structure comprising a number of floating elements extending the extendable frame structure out from the main frame structure when the pot is immersed in water.

A lobster trap comprising a base panel, two side panels, two end panels, and a top panel defining therein an interior chamber is described. The components of the trap may be primarily or completely made of a plastic material, which increases durability and longevity of the trap. The top panel may have a smaller area than the base panel, and the side panels and/or the end panels are angled inward forming a trap having a substantially trapezoidal prism shape or a pyramidal frustum shape. The trap is shaped and configured to facilitate vertical stacking, and preferably to allow stacked traps to engage with and interlock with each other. The base panel of the trap may have a support member located along the base panel. The support member is at least partially hollow defining an internal compartment, and the compartment is able to receive weight elements that help to stabilize the trap during and after deployment into the ocean.

A lobster trap comprising a base panel, two side panels, two end panels, and a top panel defining therein an interior chamber is described. The components of the trap may be primarily or completely made of a plastic material, which increases durability and longevity of the trap. The top panel may have a smaller area than the base panel, and the side panels and/or the end panels are angled inward forming a trap having a substantially trapezoidal prism shape or a pyramidal frustum shape. The trap is shaped and configured to facilitate vertical stacking, and preferably to allow stacked traps to engage with and interlock with each other. The base panel of the trap may have a support member located along the base panel. The support member is at least partially hollow defining an internal compartment, and the compartment is able to receive weight elements that help to stabilize the trap during and after deployment into the ocean.

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.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus for capturing lionfish near the ocean floor. The present invention uses two jaws connected at the center by an axle such that the jaws open outward on contact with the seabed to form a ring supporting a loose netting. Embodiments of the present invention further include a deflector located on each jaw that facilitates opening of the jaws when the lionfish capture device contacts the ocean floor. A fish attraction device, or devices, located at substantially the center of the lionfish capture device is capable of attracting lionfish to an area defined by the ring formed by the jaws. Hauling of the capture device causes the jaws to close around and secure the fish that are within its perimeter.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus for capturing lionfish near the ocean floor. The present invention uses two jaws connected at the center by an axle such that the jaws open outward on contact with the seabed to form a ring supporting a loose netting. Embodiments of the present invention further include a deflector located on each jaw that facilitates opening of the jaws when the lionfish capture device contacts the ocean floor. A fish attraction device, or devices, located at substantially the center of the lionfish capture device is capable of attracting lionfish to an area defined by the ring formed by the jaws. Hauling of the capture device causes the jaws to close around and secure the fish that are within its perimeter.

Disclosed embodiments include a container for dispensing bait in variable amounts and at variable rates. In some embodiments, a method includes changing configurations of two attachable sleeves, where the different configurations result in different overlapping of openings in the attachable sleeves. The different overlapping of openings allows fishermen the flexibility to better control the dispensing of bait and/or chum by varying the size of the openings.

Disclosed embodiments include a container for dispensing bait in variable amounts and at variable rates. In some embodiments, a method includes changing configurations of two attachable sleeves, where the different configurations result in different overlapping of openings in the attachable sleeves. The different overlapping of openings allows fishermen the flexibility to better control the dispensing of bait and/or chum by varying the size of the openings.

The buoy and rope launching device comprises a launch structure, a vessel, and a buoy. The launch structure is configured for use with the vessel. The launch structure is configured for use with a buoy. The buoy further comprises a pennant. The pennant is a rope that attaches the buoy to the pot. The launch structure jettisons the buoy and the pennant from the vessel. The use of the launch structure prevents the entanglement of a crewperson in the pennant as the buoy and pennant are jettisoned.