A commercial fishing trawl has a net and a mouth opening defined by a head line, a foot line, and side lines. The mouth opening is spread by a plurality of foil segments threaded on one or more of the head line, foot line, or side lines. Foil segments may also be threaded on tag lines or foil lines attached about the mouth opening to spread and maintain the mouth opening as the trawl is towed through the water, behind a tow vessel.

A segment for use in a trawl system having a cable and a longitudinal axis. The segment has a segment body and at least one passage extending from an inner side to an outer side of the body for receiving the cable of the trawl system. The segment body is hydrodynamically shaped such that the segment is urged away from the longitudinal axis when the segment is pulled through water by the cable. A trawl net system is also disclosed.

A harvesting mechanism for a fishing device includes an actuator, a wireless receiver for receiving a wireless signal to control the actuator, and a rope securing mechanism mechanically coupled to the actuator. The rope securing mechanism secures a rope. In response to receiving the wireless signal, the wireless receiver activates the actuator to cause the rope securing mechanism to release the rope.

A harvesting mechanism for a fishing device includes an actuator, a wireless receiver for receiving a wireless signal to control the actuator, and a rope securing mechanism mechanically coupled to the actuator. The rope securing mechanism secures a rope. In response to receiving the wireless signal, the wireless receiver activates the actuator to cause the rope securing mechanism to release the rope.

A rope releasing apparatus for controlling a net in a body of water including an actuator, a wireless receiver for receiving a wireless signal to control the actuator, a rope securing mechanism mechanically coupled to the actuator, the rope securing mechanism securing a rope, where the actuator is configured to cause the net to rise in response to the wireless signal received by the wireless receiver.

A rope releasing apparatus for controlling a net in a body of water including an actuator, a wireless receiver for receiving a wireless signal to control the actuator, a rope securing mechanism mechanically coupled to the actuator, the rope securing mechanism securing a rope, where the actuator is configured to cause the net to rise in response to the wireless signal received by the wireless receiver.