Abstract: A combination fish landing net, weight scale, and length scale for use by fishermen to obtain accurate fresh weight and length measurements of a captured fish immediately after netting. A flexible mesh net is secured upon a generally circular, tubular hoop. A rigid plug secured in the interior of the hoop by a pair of screws may be removed to permit removal and replacement of a damaged net. The compressed hoop ends are secured by a rigid rivet to one end of an expansible, steel spring and fitted in coaxial relation into the interior of a rigid, phosphorescent, plastic tube. The spring is secured within the tube by a rigid pin. A pair of parallel rectangular clearance slots are cut in opposite sides of the tube. The tube is coaxially, telescopingly fitted within a rigid, elongated, tubular handle of a highly contrasting color. A rigid steel fastener passes through the handle between the clearance slots of the tube to capture the opposite end of the spring.

Abstract: A fishing net hanging jig, for tying a net to either the float or lead line, is formed of an upright stanchion, rigidly mounted upon a support, and an L-shaped member having a horizontal leg, which is horizontally adjustably secured to the stanchion, and an upright vertical leg. A thin pointer is provided upon the upper end of the stanchion, and a line support fork is provided upon the upper end of the vertical leg. The space between the pointer and fork is acurately set by horizontally adjusting and then locking the horizontal leg to the stanchion. A cord is passed through a number of mesh loops of the net and is tied to the line by supporting the line at the last tied knot and stretching the line to the pointer. The next knot may be tied at, or around the pointer, and then the line may be pulled free of the pointer and may be re-positioned for tying the next sequential knot.

Abstract: A stopper for a braided line having a core and a braided cover is disclosed, the stopper having a post-like part with an enlarged central section which stopper is adapted to be placed within a braided line extending substantially diametral thereof, the enlarged portion enlarging the diameter of the line so that seizing may be placed on either side thereof, which seizing will not slip.

Abstract: A fishing net includes a photoconductive cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers having light-emitting portions, wherein said light-emitting portions are divided into a first group adapted to emit light having favorable influence upon fish and a second group adapted to emit light having an adverse influence upon fish. The direction of light emanating from said first group of light-emitting portions is counter to that of light emanating from said second group of light-emitting portions. Fish travel into the net influenced by the light of the first group and are discouraged from leaving by the light of the second group.

Abstract: A device for the trapping of snakes and similar animals having an area of netting to be placed on the ground and releasably secured thereto and shaped such that a plurality of areas of the netting are substantially non-horizontal to the ground. A snake attempting to traverse the area of netting will pass into an interstice of the area of netting until its body size prevents forward motion. The scales of the snake will engage the strands of the netting preventing the snake from retreating from the netting and thus effectively trapping the snake.

Abstract: A composite multiple strand or filament twisted fishnet twine (11, 11') formed of synthetic material, methods for forming the same, and fishnets (10) formed therefrom, characterized in the use of a plurality of relatively fine, small diameter synthetic filaments (15.sub.a -15.sub.n) which may be on the order of 210 denier and which are twisted together in one of an "S" or a "Z" configuration to form a first multiple filament "B" strand (15) which is thereafter twisted with a plurality of relatively thick monofilament "A" strands (14.sub.a -14.sub.n) formed of synthetic material with either a "Z" or an "S" twist to form a coreless twine (11, 11') in which all of the "A" and "B" strands (14.sub.a -14.sub.n and 15) are of equal length per unit length of the twine (11, 11') and the individual fibers (14.sub.a -14.sub.n) and (15.sub.a -15.sub.n) are all exposed on the outer surface of the twine along substantially the entire lengths of the individual fibers.

Abstract: Crimping of fishing nets, particularly of the codends of fishing nets of synthetic filamentary yarn, to be subjected to severe mechanical stressing, can be considerably avoided by impregnating the nets with finish consisting of a mixture of a vinyl pyridine copolymer latex, a formaldehyde resin precondensate, formaldehyde, water and, optionally, a dye, drying the nets thus impregnated and subsequently subjecting the nets to a heat treatment at 130.degree. C. to 180.degree. C.

Abstract: A feed-holding member entices fish into a fish-trapping device which has an "exit only" closure for an outlet opening thereof. A "live net" is connected to that fish-trapping device adjacent that outlet opening, and, when the fish have satisfied their appetites, they will attempt to escape from the fish-trapping device. In doing so, the fish will open the "exit only" closure and pass through the outlet opening into the "live net"--which will hold the fish until they can be removed from that "live net".

Abstract: An aquatic specimen retrieval device includes a pair of collection nets, the open end of each being held by a hoop. The two hoops are hinged together and are closed in an abutting concentric relation in the pre-sampling condition, the whole being connected to a tow line. When released the flow of water past the hoops causes them to unhinge into a side by side position so that sea water is directed through the hoops into the nets. Upon completion of the sampling period, a second mechanism releases the nets from the hoops and by means of a choke line, the nets are caught and closed, preventing further sample collection.

Abstract: A device for the trapping of snakes and similar animals having a sheet of netting to be placed on the ground shaped so that a plurality of areas of the netting are substantially non-horizontal to the ground. A snake attempting to traverse the sheet will pass into an interstices until its body size prevents forward motion. The scales of the snake will catch on the strands of the netting preventing the snake from retreating from the netting.

Abstract: A device for catching crabs is described comprised of a frame portion and attached net structure. The frame portion, comprised of three U-shaped members, can be deployed to a functional state having a perimeter from which said net structure is suspended, and a handle adapted to receive a tether line used to lift the device vertically from a body of water. When placed in a collapsed state for storage, the three frame members lie closely adjacent each other, thereby occupying considerably less space than the device in its deployed state.

Abstract: A composition useful for inhibiting adhesion and propagation of undesirable algae and/or shellfish on articles, which comprises triisobutyltin hydroxide, an arylsulfonic acid derivative and an organic solvent. The composition may further comprise a phenol substituted by an alkyl radical and a chlorine atom and/or a pyridazine derivative. A method of using the composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel structure for a fish landing net, or basket, is provided wherein the net is defined by top and bottom C-shaped supports secured in spaced relationship by a plurality of longitudinal ribs. Corresponding ends of the C-shaped supports are secured together by parallel, spaced slider bars which define a slot opening into the interior of the fish landing net. The slider bars are adapted to receive a snap ring which is connectable around the two bars and is slidable thereon, to close the slot and to secure a fishing line within the net. The snap ring is secured to a lowering line by means of which the net may be lowered along the fishing line to encompass a fish hooked on the fishing line. A weight is provided on the snap ring so that when the landing net surrounds the fish, the weight will carry the snap ring downwardly along the slide bars past a shoulder formed in at least one of the bars, which prevents the ring from sliding back up the slide bars.

Abstract: The specification discloses a benthic aquatic biotal monitor for monitoring the chronic impact of pollution, such as industrial and municipal wastes, of aquatic environments upon in situ samples of benthos. The monitor includes a base portion including containers for retaining benthic sample and having a horizontal permeable bottom wall and water permeable vertical side walls. A water permeable mesh is attached to and extends above the base portion to form a conical-shaped enclosure decreasing in cross-sectional area from one end to the other end. The larger end of the conical-shaped enclosure is secured to the base portion and opens thereinto. The smaller end of the conical-shaped portion is closed.

Abstract: A knotted fishing net wherein the knot is formed of a warp and a weft, said warp being wound at least one more time about the weft than in the prior art double knot; and the feed portion of the warp alternately passes over and below the return portion thereof at adjacent intersections except for the outermost intersection of both feed and return portions of the warp on the outlet side of a knot on which the return portion of the warp is drawn outward.

Abstract: A net jointing structure is provided for separably jointing or coupling a pair of nets together. The structure has a pair of elongate net strips each having first and second longitudinal opposite edges and having a mesh size progressively smaller toward the second edge, the first edge being formed integrally or adapted for connection with one end of each of the nets. A sliding clasp fastener includes a pair of stringers each having on and along one longitudinal edge a row of interlocking elements and secured at the other longitudinal edge to the second edge of the elongate net strip, and a slider slidably mounted on the rows of interlocking elements for coupling and uncoupling the pair of stringers.

Abstract: A net blocking a stream or canal to prevent fish from traveling up the stream but permitting the normal flow of water and having a normally closed opening therein adapted to be opened by trash and debris carried by said water to permit said trash and debris to pass therethrough.