Spring-Loaded Fish Release Device for Barotrauma Decompression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Many fish suffer from barotrauma when caught and brought to the surface, leading to high mortality rates among released fish, particularly those with swim bladders, as they cannot decompress gases effectively, resulting in 'floaters' that often become prey or die, impacting both recreational and commercial fishing industries and fish populations.
Innovation Solution
A compact, spring-loaded fish release device with opposing members that grasp the fish's lower lip, allowing it to be descended to a sufficient depth for gas recompression, enabling the fish to swim away once the device is opened, using a weight and a coiled spring mechanism for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fish are brought to the surface rapidly after being caught at depth, then fishing efficiency is improved, but barotrauma occurs causing high mortality rates among released fish
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary action by descending the fish to a sufficient depth before release, compressing the swim bladder gas in advance to prevent barotrauma and ensure fish survival when released
Solution Approach 2:
The device acts as an intermediary between the fish and the water column, using a weight and spring mechanism to control the fish's descent and ascent, enabling safe depth adjustment without direct human handling
2Reliability
If a weight and spring mechanism is used to descend fish to sufficient depth, then fish survival is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device utilizes self-service by employing a spring mechanism that automatically compresses and releases to control the fish's descent and ascent, eliminating the need for complex mechanical controls or power sources
Solution Approach 2:
The device applies anti-weight principle by using a weight attached to the fish that provides downward force for descent, with the spring mechanism providing counterbalancing force for controlled ascent and release
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively reduces the number of 'floaters' by allowing fish to decompress and survive, promoting sustainable fishing practices and reducing waste in protected and juvenile fish populations.
Implementation Method 1
A compact, spring-loaded fish release device with opposing members that grasp the fish's lower lip
Implementation Method 2
using a weight and a coiled spring mechanism for efficient operation
Data Source
AI summary
A fish release device is claimed, comprising a spring-loaded set of opposing members with tip portions capable of retaining the lip of a fish suffering from barotrauma to a depth sufficient to reverse the effects of barotrauma prior to releasing the fish. The opposing members cross over each other such that the jaws can be temporarily opened merely by tugging upward on the line attached to the device. Once the jaws are opened, the fish normally swims away rapidly, before the jaws close again. The device is small, compact, and can be used with a variety of fish species and sizes.