A biodegradable polymer usable in fishing gear and that biodegrades in aquatic environments. The polymer includes a polymer backbone that has monomeric units that are susceptible to hydrolytic degradation, and a plurality of pH responsive moieties. Each pH responsive moiety is grafted to a respective one of the monomeric units. The pH responsive moieties are relatively hydrophilic when exposed to an aqueous solution of a pro-biodegradation pH range to facilitate hydrolytic degradation of the monomeric units, and are relatively hydrophobic when removed from the aqueous solution of the pro-biodegradation pH range, to protect the monomeric units from hydrolytic degradation.

A fishing device includes a net disposed in a body of water containing fishes. A plurality of posts, wherein each post further includes a stem, a bottom cross disposed at a lower portion of the stem; a cross bar disposed at a top end of the stem; and a cord. The stem is an upright elongated protrusion extending from under a bottom to above a surface of the body of water. The cord is slidably secured to the cross bar. A first end of the cord is secured to a weight. A second end of the cord is secured to the net. The fishing device includes a release mechanism. The release mechanism grabs a portion of the cord to hold the weight in a first position adjacent to the cross bar. A bait system is disposed at or adjacent to a center of the net.

A fishing device includes a net disposed in a body of water containing fishes. A plurality of posts, wherein each post further includes a stem, a bottom cross disposed at a lower portion of the stem; a cross bar disposed at a top end of the stem; and a cord. The stem is an upright elongated protrusion extending from under a bottom to above a surface of the body of water. The cord is slidably secured to the cross bar. A first end of the cord is secured to a weight. A second end of the cord is secured to the net. The fishing device includes a release mechanism. The release mechanism grabs a portion of the cord to hold the weight in a first position adjacent to the cross bar. A bait system is disposed at or adjacent to a center of the net.

A fishing device includes a net disposed in a body of water containing fishes. A plurality of posts, wherein each post further includes a stem, a bottom cross disposed at a lower portion of the stem; a cross bar disposed at a top end of the stem; and a cord. The stem is an upright elongated protrusion extending from under a bottom to above a surface of the body of water. The cord is slidably secured to the cross bar. A first end of the cord is secured to a weight. A second end of the cord is secured to the net. The fishing device includes a release mechanism. The release mechanism grabs a portion of the cord to hold the weight in a first position adjacent to the cross bar. A bait system is disposed at or adjacent to a center of the net.

A fishing device includes a net disposed in a body of water containing fishes. A plurality of posts, wherein each post further includes a stem, a bottom cross disposed at a lower portion of the stem; a cross bar disposed at a top end of the stem; and a cord. The stem is an upright elongated protrusion extending from under a bottom to above a surface of the body of water. The cord is slidably secured to the cross bar. A first end of the cord is secured to a weight. A second end of the cord is secured to the net. The fishing device includes a release mechanism. The release mechanism grabs a portion of the cord to hold the weight in a first position adjacent to the cross bar. A bait system is disposed at or adjacent to a center of the net.

Various aspects of the disclosure generally relate a fish trap for use in waters among marine predators which use echolocation. In one aspect the fish trap has acoustic masking properties. In one aspect the fish trap may be a lightweight, collapsible column for use by small commercial vessels and recreational fishing. In one aspect the fish trap may have an overlapping net, forming a double seam for added strength. In one aspect the fish trap may have reinforcing wire along bridle attachment points to hold heavier loads of fish.

Various aspects of the disclosure generally relate a fish trap for use in waters among marine predators which use echolocation. In one aspect the fish trap has acoustic masking properties. In one aspect the fish trap may be a lightweight, collapsible column for use by small commercial vessels and recreational fishing. In one aspect the fish trap may have an overlapping net, forming a double seam for added strength. In one aspect the fish trap may have reinforcing wire along bridle attachment points to hold heavier loads of fish.

A fishing device includes a net disposed in a body of water containing fishes. A plurality of posts, wherein each post further includes a stem, a bottom cross disposed at a lower portion of the stem; a cross bar disposed at a top end of the stem; and a cord. The stem is an upright elongated protrusion extending from under a bottom to above a surface of the body of water. The cord is slidably secured to the cross bar. A first end of the cord is secured to a weight. A second end of the cord is secured to the net. The fishing device includes a release mechanism. The release mechanism grabs a portion of the cord to hold the weight in a first position adjacent to the cross bar. A bait system is disposed at or adjacent to a center of the net.

A fishing device includes a net disposed in a body of water containing fishes. A plurality of posts, wherein each post further includes a stem, a bottom cross disposed at a lower portion of the stem; a cross bar disposed at a top end of the stem; and a cord. The stem is an upright elongated protrusion extending from under a bottom to above a surface of the body of water. The cord is slidably secured to the cross bar. A first end of the cord is secured to a weight. A second end of the cord is secured to the net. The fishing device includes a release mechanism. The release mechanism grabs a portion of the cord to hold the weight in a first position adjacent to the cross bar. A bait system is disposed at or adjacent to a center of the net.

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.