Developing and testing ropeless fishing gear with inshore lobstermen while focusing on speed, cost, and safety

LobsterLift is a ropeless fishing device that will enable lobstermen to continue to use their lobster trap- fishing gear without requiring the traditional vertical ropes that endanger the North Atlantic right whale (NARW), a species on the brink of extinction. We are seeking a 6-month research grant for $150,000 that will enable LobsterLift LLC to conduct feasibility research, product development, and ultimately adoption of a system that has the potential to significantly reduce the amount of bycatch caused by current lobster trap fishing gear. Our focus is to develop an on-boat docking station which would allow for the LobsterLift to be implemented seamlessly into lobstermen's typical daily work tasks. Five on-board docking stations would be developed, along with developing and building a supply of fifteen to thirty underwater LobsterLift’ devices to be provided to inshore lobster fishers in Mount Desert Island, ME and Gloucester, MA. This testing will provide insights on the feasibility for broad adoption of ropeless systems with regards to how the incorporation of our ropeless gear effects fishers’ work efficiency and speed, the cost of the devices, and implications of safety for fishermen.