A gateway for use in a scallop trap and a method of retaining scallops

Abstract

A gateway for use in a scallop tray comprises a passageway 1 having an external opening at one end and an internal opening at an opposing end. A hinge 11 is included adjacent to an upper periphery 9 of the passageway and a gate in which each of a plurality of independently-movable arms 17 are pivotable about the hinge between a closed position (in which the arm extends across the passageway) and a deflected position (in which it is spaced from the lower periphery 3 of the passageway.) To enter the gate, a scallop needs only to push against at least one of the arms, moving it into its deflected position. A scallop trap is provided comprising a chamber and the gateway, as well as a method of retaining scallops within a scallop trap using the gate.

Claims

1. A gateway for use in a scallop trap, the gateway comprising:a passageway having an external opening at a first end, and an internal opening at a second end opposing the first end;a hinge arranged in use adjacent to an upper periphery of the passageway; anda gate comprising a plurality of independently-movable arms, each arm of the plurality of independently-movable arms depending from the hinge and pivotable about the hinge between a respective closed position in which the respective arm extends across the passageway to a lower periphery of the passageway, and a respective deflected position in which the respective arm is spaced from the lower periphery of the passageway.

2. The gateway of claim 1, wherein the passageway comprises a ramp.

3. The gateway of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the passageway comprises a mouldedplastic base.

4. The gateway of any preceding claim, wherein each of the plurality of independently-movable arms is freely rotatable about the hinge.

5. The gateway of any preceding claim, wherein the closed position of each arm comprises that respective arm resting at an angle of at least 15 degrees from vertical.

6. The gateway of any preceding claim, further comprising a guard to prevent deflection of the plurality of independently-movable arms by a crab or lobster from beyond the internal opening.

7. A scallop trap, comprising:a chamber defined by a peripheral barrier configured to prevent the passage of scallops therethrough;the gateway of any preceding claim located in the peripheral barrier and arranged to permit the passage of scallops into the chamber.

8. A method of retaining scallops within a scallop trap, the method comprising the steps of:providing the scallop trap of claim 7;5 in response to a scallop entering the passageway and impinging the gate, deflectingat least one of the plurality of independently-movable arms from its respective closed position to its respective deflected position, to allow passage of the scallop into the chamber; andreturning the at least one independently-movable arm to its respective closed10 position.12

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