Retrieval

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Recovery of lost traps

The recovery of lost traps has always been a part of coastal fishing. In the past, people knew the bottom, the currents, and the landmarks so well that many could be found again. Today, the conditions are more challenging, the equipment is more numerous – and when a trap disappears, it often remains lost.

Why recovery is important

A lost trap is not just an economic loss. It:

  • Continues to fish uncontrollably
  • Reduces the catch base over time
  • Contributes to marine littering
  • Creates conflicts between users of the same area

Recovering the trap is therefore the most important single measure against ghost fishing.

Traditional methods

For generations, fishermen have used:

  • Familiar bearings and landmarks
  • Ropes and hooks to attach lines or frames
  • Search along the presumed drift direction after bad weather

These methods still work, but they are time-consuming and uncertain – especially when the line and buoy are missing.

Challenges today

Modern conditions make recovery more difficult:

  • More traps in the same area
  • Increased boat traffic and higher risk of collision
  • Stronger weather and more unpredictable currents
  • Equipment designed to last a very long time

When the buoy is gone, one often lacks any reference point.

Modern aids

Newer solutions make retrieval much more reliable:

  • Systems that automatically release the reserve buoy (TrapFinder™) after a given time
  • Solutions that ensure that the trap always has a connection to the surface
  • Mechanisms that are activated only when the gear is actually lost
These build on traditional fishing but reduce the need for extensive searching.

When retrieval is planned

The biggest difference occurs when retrieval is considered before deployment:

  • Less loss of gear
  • Faster recovery after bad weather
  • Fewer ghost traps on the bottom
  • Lower environmental impact

Retrieval is not about advanced technology for its own sake.It is about taking responsibility for the equipment – until it is safely back in the boat.