A curtain of a boom for harvesting brine shrimp eggs includes mesh sections for directing a flow of water in a first direction such that an amount of the brine shrimp eggs swept under the curtain of the boom during a harvesting process is minimized and a bottom section located below the mesh sections for directing a flow of water in a second direction during the harvesting process such that debris in the water is swept under the curtain of the boom.

A disk-like fishing float comprises flotation means and attachment means on a bottom section of the float for attachment of a fishing trap line, wherein the bottom section comprises a planing surface for planing of the fishing float on a surface of a water current when the float is held in a water current by the fishing trap line. The float, when attached upstream of a marker buoy attached to the fishing trap line, prevents submerging of the buoy which makes it easier and faster to locate the marker buoy and to haul and set traps. It also reduces the amount of line needed down to the traps thereby reducing costs and the chances of entanglement with trap lines of other fishermen and of harming sea life, and reduces trap rollovers thereby increasing the catch.

A pot arranged for catching a fish. The pot has a pot chamber, with a primary inlet funnel extending inwards in the pot chamber. Under the pot chamber, a framework forming an antechamber arranged to house a fish is arranged. The antechamber includes a lower inlet funnel which extends inwards in the antechamber.

A landing net that has an integral bonker installed in its handle. The bonker can be removed as needed to stun a fish. When done, the bonker can be reinstalled in the net's handle for later use. The bonker is designed to fit inside the handle of the net. The bonker has a weighted head, a shaft, a spring-loaded locking button in the shaft, a handle, and an optional lanyard. In use, the user presses the spring-loaded locking button until it is below the height of the handle. The user then can withdraw the bonker and use it to stun a fish. When done, the bonker can be reinserted into the handle of the net, the button can be depressed and the bonker can then be pushed up into place until the spring-loaded locking button pops up to secure the bonker in the handle.

A landing net that has an integral bonker installed in its handle. The bonker can be removed as needed to stun a fish. When done, the bonker can be reinstalled in the net's handle for later use. The bonker is designed to fit inside the handle of the net. The bonker has a weighted head, a shaft, a spring-loaded locking button in the shaft, a handle, and an optional lanyard. In use, the user presses the spring-loaded locking button until it is below the height of the handle. The user then can withdraw the bonker and use it to stun a fish. When done, the bonker can be reinserted into the handle of the net, the button can be depressed and the bonker can then be pushed up into place until the spring-loaded locking button pops up to secure the bonker in the handle.

An apparatus that secures the buoy line and buoy to the top of the shellfish trap in an orderly manner until a galvanic timed release (GTR) coupling parts and releases the buoy to the sea surface. The GTR is a highly corrosive anode link which breaks after a predetermined period of immersion in seawater. After the GTR link breaks, the apparatus automatically releases the buoy. The unrestrained buoy rises to the surface so that the trap may be recovered. Until this time, marine mammals are protected from entanglement in the vertical buoy line. It is important that the buoy and, perhaps more importantly, the line associated with it, are packaged in a way to prevent fouling of the buoy lines. By design, the apparatus prevents the fouling of the buoy line that would result in the possible loss of the entire gear set.

An apparatus that secures the buoy line and buoy to the top of the shellfish trap in an orderly manner until a galvanic timed release (GTR) coupling parts and releases the buoy to the sea surface. The GTR is a highly corrosive anode link which breaks after a predetermined period of immersion in seawater. After the GTR link breaks, the apparatus automatically releases the buoy. The unrestrained buoy rises to the surface so that the trap may be recovered. Until this time, marine mammals are protected from entanglement in the vertical buoy line. It is important that the buoy and, perhaps more importantly, the line associated with it, are packaged in a way to prevent fouling of the buoy lines. By design, the apparatus prevents the fouling of the buoy line that would result in the possible loss of the entire gear set.

The present disclosure relates to a system for tracking, locating and retrieving fishing traps at sea, the system comprising a plurality of smart trap units and/or trap companion units in communication with a fishing vessel. The fishing vessel has onboard software for tracking the deployment and retrieval of said units, with the data being recorded and uploaded to a network service offering. The units are configured to assist with retrieval of the traps by comprising one or more releasable buoys that may be deployed after a pre-set time or in response to a command signal.

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.

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.