Abstract: Apparatus for protecting aquatic life carried by water passing through a vertical traveling band screen unit having inwardly opening screening baskets. Each basket carries a longitudinally extending, inwardly projecting baffle adjacent its trailing side with the portion thereof adjacent the basket being imperforate. The area along the length of each basket at the inner side of the baffle is imperforate and defines with the baffle a pocket for receiving water and aquatic life carried thereby upon upward movement through the water and is adapted to discharge the water and aquatic life carried thereby upon movement of the pocket to a predetermined elevation. A low pressure stream of water transfers the aquatic life from the pocket to a discharge trough located inwardly of the screening unit.