A seine net assembly utilizes buoyant seine net purse rings that float above the leadline and therefore reduce the risk of the purse rings getting snagged on the bottom of the body of water. An exemplary buoyant purse ring may have a specific gravity less than 1.0 and preferably, between 0.08 and 0.96. It is desirable that the purse rings float but not be so buoyant that they cause the leadline and therefore the leadline end of the net to float. An exemplary purse ring is made out of a polymeric material such as polyethylene and most preferably ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). A polymeric purse ring may have a ring wall with a rectangular shape designed for durability and tighter packing. The width of the ring wall may be greater than the thickness.

A seine net assembly utilizes buoyant seine net purse rings that float above the leadline and therefore reduce the risk of the purse rings getting snagged on the bottom of the body of water. An exemplary buoyant purse ring may have a specific gravity less than 1.0 and preferably, between 0.08 and 0.96. It is desirable that the purse rings float but not be so buoyant that they cause the leadline and therefore the leadline end of the net to float. An exemplary purse ring is made out of a polymeric material such as polyethylene and most preferably ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). A polymeric purse ring may have a ring wall with a rectangular shape designed for durability and tighter packing. The width of the ring wall may be greater than the thickness.

The location of lost or entangled fishing gear, known as derelict gear, is detected. The motion or change of position of a buoy attached to fishing gear is determined via sensors mounted on the buoy and compared to typical buoy motion. If the buoy has moved beyond a threshold value from its original location, an alert is sent to the fisherman. The available sensor data will be used to determine the likelihood of loss or entanglement. This alert facilitates recovery of lost or entangled gear by identifying where immediate retrieval efforts should be focused. The number of traps lost to the ocean that otherwise would continue to trap or entangle marine life may be reduced.

The location of lost or entangled fishing gear, known as derelict gear, is detected. The motion or change of position of a buoy attached to fishing gear is determined via sensors mounted on the buoy and compared to typical buoy motion. If the buoy has moved beyond a threshold value from its original location, an alert is sent to the fisherman. The available sensor data will be used to determine the likelihood of loss or entanglement. This alert facilitates recovery of lost or entangled gear by identifying where immediate retrieval efforts should be focused. The number of traps lost to the ocean that otherwise would continue to trap or entangle marine life may be reduced.

A fisheries bycatch reduction device is disclosed which may be coupled to or positioned proximate to a net. The device includes a housing and an electrical assembly positioned within the housing. The bycatch reduction device uses a power management strategy to control illumination and charging to create a hassle free, readily deployable substitute for traditional buoys and reduces the unintended catch of non-desired marine life.

The invention discloses a deep sea fishing cage comprising supporting frameworks and cage nets arranged therebetween; said supporting framework comprises a float supporting component and cage frameworks symmetrically arranged on two sides of float supporting component; said cage frameworks are connected with float supporting component via cage nets; the float supporting component comprises a float support rod and a support frame counterweight steel bar; said float support rod is arranged above support frame counterweight steel bar and funnel-shaped escape-proof plate is arranged on lower side of float support rod; said cage framework comprises a supporting component and a cage sealing component, wherein said supporting component is connected with cage sealing component via net surface, said supporting component comprises an upper supporting frame and a lower supporting frame, and two ends of said upper supporting frame are connected with two ends of lower supporting frame respectively to form a semicircular structure.

The invention discloses a deep sea fishing cage comprising supporting frameworks and cage nets arranged therebetween; said supporting framework comprises a float supporting component and cage frameworks symmetrically arranged on two sides of float supporting component; said cage frameworks are connected with float supporting component via cage nets; the float supporting component comprises a float support rod and a support frame counterweight steel bar; said float support rod is arranged above support frame counterweight steel bar and funnel-shaped escape-proof plate is arranged on lower side of float support rod; said cage framework comprises a supporting component and a cage sealing component, wherein said supporting component is connected with cage sealing component via net surface, said supporting component comprises an upper supporting frame and a lower supporting frame, and two ends of said upper supporting frame are connected with two ends of lower supporting frame respectively to form a semicircular structure.

A net assembly used for purse seine fishery, which is mounted on a first vessel, dropped into seawater from the first vessel, and towed by a second vessel to surround and pull fish to capture fish. The net assembly includes a plurality of floats floating on a surface of seawater to provide buoyancy to the net assembly, and coupled to one another in a spaced manner in a lengthwise direction of the net assembly; a net combination of a plurality of nets disposed under the floats in an inter-coupled state, and sunken and deployed from the surface of seawater to surround and capture fish; a weight body extending along a lower end of the net combination to provide a sinking force by means of gravity to sink the net combination; and a purse wire extending along the net combination while being spaced apart from the weight body in a downward direction, and tightened by the first vessel to allow the net assembly to form a closed space below the surface of seawater.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatus for sorting undesired marine species during trawling, provides a pliable grid when the trawl net is pulled from the water and wound tightly on the net reel, and when the trawl is deployed in the water, the apparatus is fixed into place inside the trawl and holding its shape with consistent grid spacing. Marine species sorting apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes grid, back straps, and lead ring. Grid includes a plurality of bars surrounded by grid frame. Grid frame is attached to lead ring at an angle using terminal couplers. Lead ring supports grid and secures marine species sorting apparatus in trawl webbing referred to as the extension.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatus for sorting undesired marine species during trawling, provides a pliable grid when the trawl net is pulled from the water and wound tightly on the net reel, and when the trawl is deployed in the water, the apparatus is fixed into place inside the trawl and holding its shape with consistent grid spacing. Marine species sorting apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes grid, back straps, and lead ring. Grid includes a plurality of bars surrounded by grid frame. Grid frame is attached to lead ring at an angle using terminal couplers. Lead ring supports grid and secures marine species sorting apparatus in trawl webbing referred to as the extension.