Abstract: Anchorable mobile pens for growing fish or shellfish that have an elongate central vertical spar buoy surrounded by at least one horizontal net-supporting ring with continuous netting extending from an upper end of the buoy to the ring and thence to a lower, submerged end of the buoy to produce an enclosed pen. The pen is optionally not anchored and free to float with the currents although it may more often be anchored by conventional means. The mobility of the pens provides the benefits of avoidance of localized hazards, like toxic plankton blooms, and the capability to move the pen to a more convenient fish-harvesting location, if necessary.

Abstract: A mooring system for mooring boats (20). The mooring system (10) includes buoys (12, 13), tautlines (16), a gridline (14), and anchor assemblies (18). The buoys (12, 13 ) float vertically at spaced-apart locations and are interconnected by the tautlines (16) and the gridline (14), the tautlines (16) being connected to the tops of the buoys(12, 13), and the gridline(14) being connected to the bottoms of the buoys (12, 13). The anchor assemblies (18) are attached to selected buoys (12) and urge the buoys (12, 13) apart and maintain the tautlines (16) and the gridline (14) in a taut condition. The tautlines (16) are positioned above and parallel to the water surface (22) so that boats (20) can tie up along the length of the tautlines (16).

Abstract: A mooring system for mooring boats (20). The mooring system (10) includes elongated spar buoys (12, 13), tautlines (16), a gridline (14), and anchor assemblies (18). The spar buoys (12, 13) float vertically at spaced-apart locations and are interconnected by the tautlines (16) and the gridline (14), the tautlines (16) being connected to the tops of the spar buoys (12, 13), and the gridline (14) being connected to the bottoms of the spar buoys (12, 13). The anchor assemblies (18) are attached to selected spar buoys (12) and urge the spar buoys (12, 13) apart and maintain the tautlines (16) and the gridline (14) in a taut condition. The tautlines (16) are positioned above and parallel to the water surface (22) so that boats (20) can tie up along the length of the tautlines (16).

Abstract: A spar-buoy pen includes a net that is held open by a single elongated, substantially vertically oriented center spar. The pen of this invention includes either a fixed center spar or a floating spar buoy that is substantially vertically aligned. Several pairs of radially disposed lines extend outward from the center spar at two locations that are longitudinally spaced apart from one another along the length of the center spar. A net is fitted over the radial lines such that the opposed top and bottom sections of the net are held apart from each other by the lines. The ends of the radial lines distal from the center spar are attached to anchor assemblies that urge the lines away from the center spar to hold the net in the open state. The net is further constructed so that a small portion of the top section of the net is located above the surface of the water.

Abstract: A spar buoy pen system formed of a net pen, vertical spar buoys, and anchors. The spar buoys are formed of elongate tubular columns having a center of ballast above the center of gravity to float in a substantially upright position. Anchor lines, auxiliary floats, and attachment lines deflect the spar buoys at a predetermined angle such that the spar buoys and the anchors cooperate to hold the net pen in a predetermined configuration and in a taut condition. Alternative versions of the system may be provided with damper plates that are attached to the spar buoys so as to limit their wave-induced motions. A predator net can also be attached to the system to protect the net pen and its contents.

Abstract: A spar buoy pen system (10) formed of a net pen (14), vertical spar buoys (16), and anchors (18). The spar bouys (16) are formed of elongated tubular columns having a center of ballast above the center of gravity to flow in a substantially upright position. Anchor lines (22), auxiliary floats (24), and attachment lines (32) deflect the spar buoy (16) at a predetermined angle such that the spar buoys (16) and the anchors (18) cooperate to hold the net pen (14) in a predetermined configuration and in a taut condition.

Abstract: A sorting device (42) for a bottom trawl (10) to enable capturing preselected marine life and harmlessly separating nonselected marine life. The sorting device (42) comprises a top wall (44) and a bottom wall (46) assembled together to form a body (48) that defines an inlet (50) and tapers to a small outlet (52). The sorting device (42) assumes a funnel configuration as the bottom trawl (10) is towed through the water. Water flowing through the funnel-shaped body (48) moves slower than the surrounding water, forcing water approaching the sorting device (42) to flow around and past the sorting device (42). This creates a water disturbance (94) adjacent and ahead of the sorting device (42) that frightens finfish (96) to swim around the sorting device (42). Shellfish (98) are unable to swim around the sorting device (42) and they pass through the inlet (50) and out the outlet (52) to harmlessly exit the bottom trawl (10 ).

Abstract: A spar buoy pen system formed of a net pen, vertical spar buoys, and anchors. The spar buoys are formed of elongate tubular columns having a center of ballet above the center of gravity to float in a substantially upright position. Anchor lines, auxiliary floats, and attachment lines deflect the spar buoys at a predetermined angle such that the spar buoys and the anchors cooperate to hold the net pen in a predetermined configuration and in a taut condition. Alternative versions of the system may be provided with damper plates that are attached to the spar buoys so as to limit their wave-induced motions. A predator net can also be attached to the system to protect the net pen and its contents.