Abstract: An aquatic trap, the aquatic trap including a chamber, the chamber being bounded by a netted periphery that is permeable by water, at least one inlet passing through the netted periphery, the inlet converging toward the interior of the chamber, a rotatable wall portion formed in the netted periphery, the rotatable wall portion being connected to the netted periphery by a pivotal connection, the rotatable wall portion being rotatable about the pivotal connection from a closed position in which the rotatable wall portion is substantially within the plane of the netted periphery to an open position in which the rotatable wall portion is substantially outside of the plane of the netted periphery, a biasing mechanism for biasing the rotatable wall portion toward the closed position, and a stop mechanism for abutting the rotatable wall portion in the closed position against the biasing action of the biasing mechanism.

Abstract: A collapsible crab trap is provided with a centrally-located bait feeder made of wire mesh material. The trap and bait feeder are movable between a collapsed configuration and an assembled configuration. When in a collapsed configuration, it is easy to store or transport. The centrally-located bait feeder apparatus is constructed in such a manner that the crabs cannot remove an entire piece of bait from the bait feeder. Another feature of this crab trap is that the two side panels are weighted along their upper edges to positively open the side panels when on the ocean bed for the catching of crabs. These weighted side panels also provide a stable placement of the crab trap in strong moving currents.

Abstract: A device that prevents female and juvenile crabs from becoming stuck in the upper portions of a crab trap is disclosed. In crab traps using angled tunnels, the upper portions of the trap provide a place for the young crab to hide from the larger males. Once in this area, however, the crab are difficult to remove. Many are often killed or injured during removal. To prevent this problem, a formed perforated shield is attached in the wedge-shaped area formed between the inside of the tunnel and the top of a crab trap. Two types of shields are disclosed. The first is an angled shield that conforms to the shape of the upper tunnel and the top of the trap. The shield fits into this wedge-shaped area to provide a smooth surface that makes it impossible for the crabs to find a place to secure a hold. The second device is simply a perforated, flat shield that fits across the space formed by the tunnel and the top of the trap. The shield has contoured ends to conform to the exact space being blocked.

Abstract: A collapsible crabpot structure having four generally rectangular side frames, with a V-shaped reinforcing structure extending across each side frame. Hinge structures at each of eight corners of the crabpot structure, each hinge structure having an outwardly located protective structure to prevent impact damage thereon from external impact forces, as well as preventing excess torsional or bending stress on the hinge members of an erect crabpot structure during use. The protective structures are formed at least in part by extensions of primary frame members.

Abstract: A floating fish raceway apparatus (10) for raising and harvesting fish in a body of water, the fish raceway apparatus having a frame (11), a flexible mesh cage (12) depending from the frame (11) and forming an enclosure for raising the fish, and a harvesting means (14) for drawing the flexible mesh cage (12) together in order to draw the fish to one end of the fish cage (10) for easy retrieval from the cage (10).

Abstract: A material for making marine structure comprises a rubber composition. The rubber composition contains a metal salt of .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated fatty acid and is vulcanized in a mold into a predetermined configuration. The strength of the rubber composition is anisotropic and in particular its elastic modulus is anisotropic. The direction in which the strength of the rubber composition is high is set in the direction in which stress is applied by waves. Thus, the marine-structural material is resistant to waves and tide. The rubber composition contains short fibers which are oriented in a certain direction to increase the anisotropy of the rubber composition.

Abstract: A crab trap is provided having an open configuration prior to trapping a crab and into which a crab can crawl to retrieve bait placed therein, the trap also having a closed configuration for trapping a crab therein. The trap has a generally rectangular frame assembly comprising a base frame having two hollow bottom side connecting tubes and two hollow bottom end connecting tubes connected at their corners by corner elbow connectors. A plurality of hollow vertical corner posts is inserted in the corner elbow connectors and is three dimensionally perpendicular to the rectangular frame. The vertical corner posts each have a longitudinal opening extending from the lower end of the vertical corner post to the approximate center point of the vertical corner post along the length of the vertical corner post. The bottom side connecting tubes, bottom end connecting tubes and vertical corner posts all contain a plurality of openings to permit water to flow through.

Abstract: A trap capable of harvesting commercial quantities of shrimp in the open ocean or in ponds is a wire mesh cage having shrimp capture gates in the form of truncated prisms, each sized to admit desired shrimp but exclude predatory fish. The inner end of each gate has a transparent hinged flap which swings away to admit a shrimp; to encourage the shrimp's entrance, a gap, sufficient to pass the shrimp's feelers, is left below the flap in the gate. An attractor is provided in the harvester to attract plankton or similar shrimp food organisms. The resulting higher density of plankton at the harvester rapidly attracts shrimp. The mesh construction of the cage permits free flow of water currents, and rapid build up of plankton. The mesh is also opened at least at the bottom of the harvester, to provide size selection, by permitting the ready escape of immature shrimp of small size.

Abstract: A collapsible crab pot structure comprising a crap pot frame with a removable unitary bag-like net therein secured to the frame by a rope framework within the bag-like net. The bag-like net can be made from a single piece of netting fabric according to a prescribed pattern. The frame has square parallel vertically-spaced similarly oriented congruent relatively-movable rigid top and bottom horizontally extending frame portions. The four respective corners of the top and bottom frame portions are interconnected by, and pivotably connected to, four post structures to form an essentially parallelpiped frame structure. A netting-covered door in a vertical front side of the frame structure is hinged along the front side of the top frame portion for swinging movement from a closed vertical position to a position atop the top frame portion. Convergent tunnel portions of the trap net enter the trap from opposite vertical sides which are perpendicular to the door side of the frame structure.

Abstract: A trap for catching marine life species having a bottom member, a guide member attached to the bottom member, a top enclosure slideably received on the guide member wherein the top enclosure is guided between a closed position and in contact with the bottom member to an open position spaced form and above the bottom member. The top enclosure includes a frame and mesh members removably attached to the frame whereby different mesh sizes can be inserted as required. The frame can be collapsible and flexible. Further, a buoyancy member can be positioned at a lower end of the top enclosure permitting the trap to be used in shallow water.

Abstract: A combined trap for lobsters and like marine crustacea and for octopi and like cephalopods comprising integrally constructed marine crustacea and cephalopod enclosures having a barrier therebetween to prevent cephalopods in the cephalopod enclosure passing into the crustacea enchlose. The crustacea enclosure is constructed to permit viewing from outside thereof of bait and/or crustacea in the crustacea enclosure to lure cephalopods to the trap. The combined trap provides independent entry to the respective enclosure with the entry to the cephalopod enclosure being constructed to occlude exit therethrough from the cephalopod enclosure of octopi and like cephalopods.

Abstract: A lobster trap launch steadying device adapted for use with lobster traps that will reliably locate the position of attachment of the warp rope used for launching the trap into the sea so the trap will be steadied in its descent to the sea bottom so that the trap will be landed in an upright manner on the sea bottom. Upon a quick pull of the warp rope, the rope will be detached from the snap-clip device and the trap pull upwardly from one of its end portions so that it can be easily landed over the side of the boat. The snap-clip lever part is biased to a closed position by an elastic tension cord that is fixed to one of the mesh bars rearwardly up the full device. The device itself is assembled in clip fashion to the mesh top of the lobster trap.

Abstract: A crab trap includes a central toroidal base ring having upper and lower cages mounted to upper and lower surfaces of the base ring, with the upper and lower cages coaxially aligned relative to the axis of the base ring. The base ring includes a plurality of snare rings mounted peripherally about the base ring. A modification of the invention includes a scent delivery system to direct crab attracting scent from the cages.

Abstract: In an entrance gate apparatus for a crab, shellfish, or other animal trap; said apparatus is adapted to be attached to a wall of said trap, and means are provided for selectively adjusting the size of the opening of said entrance gate to prevent animals of a larger than desired size from entering said trap. An adjustable divider mechanism provides means for selectively reducing the size of the opening of the entrance gate. A flexible finger assembly is provided to allow entrance to, while preventing exit from, the trap. The apparatus is preferably constructed of light weight and durable tubular and other molded plastic components.

Abstract: A crab trap is formed with a torroidal ring mounting a plurality of snare loops at spaced intervals thereabout extending exteriorly of the ring, including bait securement structure medially thereof in the form of a bait mounting rod or alternatively of a bait basket.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the remote harvesting of crayfish by trapping them within a trap submerged in water and then, when harvesting is desired, by applying a counterweight for pivoting the trap so that the trapped crayfish are passed to a line for flushing the crayfish to a collection tank. This operation is accomplished remotely from the harvester and more than one harvester can be connected to the collection tank.

Abstract: A marine crustacean trap that is more particularly designed to entrap live crabs one at a time. A cage portion of the trap has an elastically closed gate and a bait well is secured within the cage. Also within the cage, trip cords are arranged such that the cords interfere with crustacean access to the bait well. A trip mechanism is secured upon the top of the cage and the mechanism has a releasably secured float maintained upon a support by having a gate open latch and a pivotal trip lever together locking onto the float. A crustacean pulling upon a trip cord causes the trip lever to rotate and unlock from the float. Now tension upon the gate open latch causes the float to rotate up and over a small float stop member of the support. As the float rotates the gate closes and the latch is released from the float permitting the float to ascend to a water surface. A ring encircling the trap hauling line is also linked with the float.

Abstract: An apparatus including an elongate housing formed with a funnel entrance and an exit door utilizing springs mounted on opposed sides of the housing to bias the door in a first closed position when the door is displaced relative to a foward or second portion of a top wall to provide access to an interior cavity of the housing. The housing includes a counterweight mounted medially to the bottom surface of the bottom wall of the housing, including plural pairs of spring legs to mount and permit entrenching of the minnow housing within a level or soil laden bottom support surface of a stream, lake, and the like.

Abstract: An aquatic animal trap is provided, comprising a center enclosed cell having a bottom and mesh sides having at least one entrance passageway formed therein; and at least three radially spaced outer enclosed cells, each of the outer cells having a bottom and mesh sides having at least one entrance passageway formed therein and connected to the center cell via a radial passageway.

Abstract: A crab trap having a bottom, top, and side walls substantially encloses a crab-trapping interior. An entryway is provided in a side wall and includes an upwardly and inwardly sloped ramp terminating at an inner edge which is spaced between the top and bottom walls. The side wall has a portion terminating at the lower edge which is spaced outwardly from and below said ramp's inner edge at the entryway such that crabs entering the trap will not be obstructed or deterred in any way but crabs seeking to exit the trap will be provided with an alternative platform within the trap, rather than exiting down the entryway ramp.

Abstract: An aquatic animal trap is provided, comprising a center enclosed cell having a bottom and mesh sides having at least one entrance passageway formed therein; and at least three radially spaced outer enclosed cells, each of the outer cells having a bottom and mesh sides having at least one entrance passageway formed therein and connected to the center cell via a radial passageway.

Abstract: A crab cage assembly includes a cage unit that has several one-way openings defined therethrough so that a crab can enter the cage but will not be able to exit that cage once inside. The one-way openings are formed by cantilever wires that extend into the cage. A signal system is activated when a captured crab pulls on a bait-like element located in the cage, and signals a crabber that a crab has been captured. The signal system includes either a bell or a special transmitter that emits a signal characteristic of the particular cage assembly so that a crabber working several cages will know which cage contains a crab.

Abstract: Disclosed is a trap for small fish comprising annular top and bottom panels, each with a peripheral edge and at least one side panel means therebetween. The side panel is attached to the top and bottom panels whereby the side panel extends between the top and bottom panels and extends about a substantial portion of the peripheral edges thereof. The ends of the side panel are directed inwardly from the peripheral edges and define an opening. A leader is attached to the top and bottom panels with an end of the leader in line with and spaced from the opening, the other end of the leader extending outwardly of the peripheral edges of the top and bottom panels. Preferably the leader is detachably secured to the top and bottom panels and the top, bottom and side panel are also preferably detachable to one another with each side panel of like construction to the leader. The top and bottom panels can be identical with a portion molded in such a way to be severable to define a hinged trap door.

Abstract: An improved aquatic animal trap funnel made of a hollow, plastic conical tube, inside a crayfish trap, fitting over a pre-existing mesh funnel. The solid sheet funnel acts to retain more, larger crayfish by hindering escapes, encouraging a behavioral response for shelter, and retarding mesh funnel deformation.

Abstract: A device for protecting bait impaled on a spike within a lobster trap or the like. The device comprises a flat body having a centrally disposed spike-receiving aperture for seating the device on the spike above the bait when impaled thereon. A plurality of protector spikes with sharpened points are secured to the body, the spikes downwardly and outwardly oriented about the body when seated on the spike. The device is particularly well-suited to deter seals from stealing the bait from within the trap.

Abstract: A bait container is made from acryloitrile butadiene styrene, known as ABS, plastic tubing and ABS plastic sheets, the latter preferably being white. Cut circular white ends are adhesively secured in place at the ends of the cut tubing, during the assembly of this bait container. A panel of the cut tubing is cut away to create an entry for the bait. The panel is pivoted back into place to contain the bait. A latching of a handle, secured to the panel, keeps the panel in place. In other portions of the hollow cylindrical body, formed by the closed end cut tube, closely spaced radial slots are formed to controllably release the bait, while keeping many forms of marine life from entering into the interior of this bait container. A stainless steel rod or wire extends throughout the bait container and beyond, terminating in hooks, which are adapted to receive holders positioning this bait container within a crustacean trap.

Abstract: A marine animal trap comprising entrance gate means including a plurality of plastic fingers having a relative buoyancy and arrangement to be maintained closed and to reclose by buoyancy action after an animal enters the trap by buoyant action. In preferred forms some fingers have a slight positive buoyancy and some have a slight negative buoyancy in water. A mounting frame suitably includes journal rods mounting said plurality of fingers for pivotal movement in a generally vertical manner, and stop means whereby when the trap is in water the nominal state of rest of at least some of the fingers is with the finger partially spanning the gate entrance and with such fingers in such position being restrained from outward pivotal movement, the fingers being nonetheless free to pivotally move inwardly so as to not impede animal ingress through the gate. The form, arrangement and placement of the fingers in the trap can vary.

Abstract: Trap head for a lattice-work lobster trap case provides a pair of opposed openings in opposite sides of the case, a funnel-like net within the case interconnects the openings and provides a continuous lobster passage between them, the net decreasing in diameter with distance from the openings with its minimum diameter midway between the openings. An opening from the minimum diameter portion of the net into the interior of the case permits entrance of a lobster.

Abstract: An improved Collapsible Crustacean Trap is described which includes substantially rectangular top and bottom panels which are hinged to side panels. Each of the side panels is hinged in the middle so that it can move between a substantially vertical and a substantially horizontal position. Releasable connectors are provided for securing the panels in a rectangular box. A cover is provided, and an entrance for the crustacean is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting crayfish and similar crustaceans from ponds utilizing a hollow tube placed in the pond and provided with openings sized to allow crayfish to enter the hollow tube where they are pushed through the tube by the action of a plug being moved through the tube.

Abstract: A trap suitable for capturing a marine animal in open water without harming the captured animal is disclosed. The trap includes a pen having top and bottom ends. A portion of the bottom of the pen includes a flotation element which is sufficiently buoyant to support a substantial percentage of the pen above the water line. The pen further includes a top rim which has an interior opening large enough to receive the captured animal. The platform is slidably coupled to the pen. The platform serves as a flotation device that is suitably buoyant to support the weight of the animal sought. A trap door within the platform is designed to release when an animal climbs thereon. When the trap door is actuated the pen is released from the platform and rises vertically relative to the platform to capture the animal.

Abstract: In fish traps of the type that are lowered into and left in the water, an improvement comprising automatic baiter apparatus for obtaining live bait fish in the trap after the trap is lowered into the water while inflicting an injury on the live bait fish. In a preferred embodiment for trapping crabs, the automatic baiter apparatus comprises a plurality of molded plastic flexible fingers secured to a rigid frame to form a converging passageway into the trap when the rigid frame is attached to a similar frame on the wall of the trap. A means for injuring the bait fish is provided by a cutting implement attached to one of the flexible fingers such that the cutting implement will penetrate the stomach of the bait fish as it passes through the converging passageway and is gripped by the flexible fingers as they are deflected and spread apart by the body of the bait fish.

Abstract: A shellfish lure (10) is formed of a bait hook (12), nests (18) of entangled loops (20), and a weight (22) attached to a main line (24). The loops (20) are formed of individual strands (30) of resilient, flexible monofilament line bound together at a common point by a crimp (32) to ensnare crabs (38) or other shellfish attracted to the bait.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for harvesting crustaceans in a shallow body of water use submerged traps in which the crustaceans are trapped connected into a piping system that is periodically flushed with water to wash the trapped crustaceans to a suitable receiver. The traps have valves that may be periodically shaken to loosen any crustaceans caught in the valves. Means are also provided to aerate the piping system and body of water. The trapping, flushing and aerating steps may be repeatedly carried out while the apparatus is maintained in a stationary position in the body of water.

Abstract: A marine life trap that is used primarily for trapping crustaceans, such as crabs and lobsters, which trap includes a base with an upstanding center post on which a top portion is slidably mounted, with a downwardly extending perimeter net, the top portion being hollow and having an opening in the bottom that is closed off by a valve and with a hose attached to the top and to an inflatable element. The valve has a cord attached thereto and to bait, so that upon disturbance of the bait the valve is opened, water flows into the top portion causing it and the net to slide downwardly on the post and also displacing the air trapped therein, which fills the inflatable element and causes it to rise to the surface to signal the fisherman that the top portion and net have fallen to enclose the bait and trap the marine life.

Abstract: Bait for crustacea or fish is supported in an elastic casing having orifices to expose the bait to the crustacea; and is disposed in a trap, such as a lobster pot, the bait may be in the form of a frozen block and include a portion of finely divided bait which will initially be released slowly from the casing as the frozen block unfreezes in the ocean, and will later be slowly released as the bait is disturbed by the crustacea, whereby the slow release lures the crustacea or fish to the trap.

Abstract: This crab trap is so designed, as to automatically pivot open its gates after being bottomed in a water body when slack is taken on its attached rope and gate cords. Primarily, it consists of a base with four hinged gates, and a coil spring received on each side of the base, provides for automatically and fully opening the gates when slack is taken on the cords and the attached rope.

Abstract: A conduit assembly is provided including a "field" of prearranged conduit sections or runs and the conduit assembly includes inlet and outlet ends. The conduit assembly is designed to be supported adjacent the bottom of a shallow pond and includes a partially submerged mesh sump into whose lower portion the inlet end of the conduit assembly opens and the outlet end of the conduit assembly 18 discharges downwardly into the sump, the sump being adapted to receive ground or finely cut-up bait. A pump is serially connected in the inlet end and the conduit sections comprising the "field" include a plurality of lateral branches opening into the runs and mounted therefrom for annular displacement thereabout between lower generally horizontal positions and upstanding upright positions projecting above the pond water level. The free ends of the lateral branches include marine life trap structures and structure is provided for simultaneously raising and lowering the lateral branches.

Abstract: A crab pot of the type having a rigid frame with netting extending over the bottom, sides and top. The top side has a hinged lid portion which can be swung between closed and open position. It is retained in closed position by a manually released spring latch.

Abstract: A linear crab trapping device including a main line with a plurality of individual loops secured thereto in spaced relation with respect to one another and further including a lower end adapted to be in abutment with any particular configuration of bait such that the lower portion of the main line can then be wrapped about the bait to provide the plurality of loops in surrounding engagement with the bait. The upper end of the main line is adapted to be secured to a user or fisherman in such a manner as to facilitate removal of the linear crab trapping device upon entanglement with a crab. A crab upon locating the bait will during feeding thereon become entangled in the plurality of loops surrounding the bait in such a manner as to temporarily be secured with respect to the main line such that removal by the user upon pulling upwardly on the upper end thereof will remove the linear crab trapping device and the entangled crab simultaneously.

Abstract: A support stand for a minnow trap of the type comprising a large jar having a funnel opening at one end and a plurality of apertures at the other end. The ends of the jar are engaged and supported by a pair of opposed generally planar end plates. A plurality of generally parallel support rods extend between these end plates and are spaced apart circumferentially so as to secure the jar against transverse movement between the rods. A handle means is pivotally connected to one of these support rods.

Abstract: Disclosed is a crustacean trap (20) formed by a plurality of monolithic molded panels (24-30) serially interconnected via coupled pairs of interlocking channels integral to side margins of the panels to form a substantially non-deformable frame defining an unimpeded access portal while retaining elements (124, 132) along base margins of the panels provide a frame for a cast-in-place base (134). A lid (22) providing limited access into the interior and more limited egress from the interior of the trap is pivotally positionable within the portal between the serially interconnected panels to control access through the portal. Counter-rotating latches, lost motion and elongated brackets for the pivotal elements of the lid enhance the trap's reliability by requiring particular manual motions to pivot the lid between its closed and open positions.

Abstract: The crustacean trap, particularly for a lobster, is molded of separate bottom, opposite side, opposite end and top panels that are thereafter assembled by sliding edge channel joints together for the sides and ends, after which the tops and bottoms are assembled through snap joints. The edge joints are provided with vertically extending channels formed of flanges that permit only vertical assembly or disassembly, and the snap joints for the top and bottom panels are hook-shaped pins received in trapping type apertures to thereafter prevent disassembly of the sides and ends. Crustacean ingress is facilitated and egress inhibited by a funnel formed of molded rigid parallel sides and pivotally adjusted non-parallel sides, with the adjustment being an arcuate array of apertures on the parallel sides to selectively mate with apertures on the non-parallel sides. The parallel sides have cross beams snap assembled to the top and disposed to form a lobster removal opening adjacent the funnel opening.

Abstract: A winch includes a spindle plate having a plurality of pins fixed thereon, the pins forming the core of a winch and the line of the trap is wound on the pins. An ejector plate is axially slidable for ejecting the wound line from the pins into the water. The space surrounded by the pins forms a basket in which the buoy is put in the winding-in step, this securing the line to the pins for the winding. The ejection step is produced by a slidable ejection shaft carrying the ejection plate, and driven by a motor. An advancing shaft is carried by and within the ejection shaft, and at the final movement of the ejection shaft, the advancing shaft ejects the buoy clear of the line coil. The advancing shaft is moved relative to the ejection shaft, by a cam carried by the ejection shaft and engaging a fixed trip unit.

Abstract: A joinable two-section molded plastic cage-like enclosure having by a top and bottom member with a peripheral side wall therebetween. The top and bottom members have an elliptical plan shape. Two oppositely positioned converging entrance passages extend from the side wall to the interior of the enclosure and provide a continuous firm surface to support the entry of shellfish into the trap enclosure. Removable blocking members at the interior end of the passages permit selection of the size of the trap opening and prevent the escape of shellfish from the passages. Bait holders are mounted within the enclosure between the top and bottom members substantially opposite the entrance passages.

Abstract: A crab trap with a buoyancy upper cover and a sinking lower surface. When the crab trap is lowered into the water the lower surface sinks to the bottom and the top cover opens to a pre-determined point. When the trap is retrieved, the bundled hoist lines are pulled through holes in the top cover and the lower surface thereby closing the trap and trapping the crabs. The trap may be rectangular, square or circular in outline and the top cover may be solid or perforated.

Abstract: A crab trap is provided and consists of a plurality of collapsible doors. Each collapsible door is pivotally coupled to one side of a wire mesh bottom panel and slideably coupled to supports for coupling a wire mesh top panel to the bottom panel. A flexible hoist line is connected at each end to each collapsible door. When the crab trap is submerged within water the collapsible doors will collapse opening the crab trap allowing a crab to enter. When the crab trap is pulled up by the hoist line the collapsible doors will slide up closing the crab trap entrapping the crab within.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for harvesting crayfish in a shallow aquatic bed as disclosed. A plurality of one way traps are aligned in a linear array and supported by a frame that extends above the water level. The traps are lowered into the water for a set time of 5 to 120 minutes, and then raised to discharge the collected crayfish into a collection hopper. While the traps are out of the water, the linear array is advanced 3 to 12 meters along an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the array. The crayfish are conveyed from the collection hoppers to a single storage tanks by a water sluice conveyor. The trap set and the discharge cycle is repeated until the harvester has traversed the aquatic bed.

Abstract: A marine trap 10 for shrimp, crabs, lobster and the like is disclosed which includes a frame structure 11 defining a top, bottom and a plurality of sides. A net 15 covers frame 11 on its top, bottom and sides to form an enclosure. A mouth 16 and net 15 is formed on the top of the trap 10 to permit entry of suitably sized marine animals. A pair of cables 20 and 21 are hooked by one end to opposite sides of the bottom of frame 11 and by their respective opposite ends to opposite sides of mouth 16 and define an inwardly extending, funnel-shaped top with mouth 16 at the apex of the funnel. To empty trap 10, cables 20 and 21 are released from mouth 16 and trap 10 is inverted. The net 15 falls downwardly into an outwardly extending funnel-shaped position permitting the contents of trap 10 to be poured through mouth 16.

Abstract: A device for automatically raising fish traps, crayfish pots, nets and the like comprises a tank containing pressurized gas connected through a control valve to an inflatable bladder. A control unit including a receiver and a solenoid driver is operable to open the valve, causing bladder inflation, when activated by a signal transmitted through the water or a timing mechanism. The control unit and valve are located within a watertight compartment of a housing connected to the tank. A pair of substantially flat frame members interconnect the housing to the tank. The frame members are mutually orthogonal and include identical cutouts defining a spherical inflation region. The bladder is positioned in the inflation region by upper and lower mounting sleeves. The upper sleeve includes a deflation valve and lift ring to provide automatic bladder deflation as the ring is engaged by surface personnel to raise the device from the water.