WaTS and the Rise of Ropeless Fishing

Protecting whales, securing gear, and shaping the future of fixed-gear fisheries

Ropeless fishing is no longer a theoretical idea or a future concept. It’s already being adopted across lobster and crab fisheries worldwide as regulators, conservation groups, and fishermen look for practical ways to reduce whale entanglement while keeping commercial fishing viable.

At the centre of this shift is WaTS - the Whale and Trap System, a compact, fisherman focused solution designed to make ropeless fishing practical, reliable, and scalable.

What is ropeless fishing?

Ropeless fishing is a method of fixed-gear fishing that removes permanent vertical buoy lines and surface markers from the water column during soak time.

In traditional lobster and crab fishing, traps are connected to surface buoys by ropes that remain in place 24/7. These vertical lines are a major cause of whale and marine mammal entanglements and are increasingly restricted under whale-safe fishing regulations.

Ropeless fishing solves this by keeping traps completely unmarked and unobstructed until the moment they are retrieved. WaTS is a purpose built ropeless fishing device that enables this approach without forcing fishermen to change how they work.

How does ropeless fishing work with WaTS?

A common question is how does ropeless fishing work in real-world fishing, not just in theory. WaTS is mounted directly onto lobster or crab pots inside a protective, plastic-coated galvanised steel cage. Once installed, it remains completely passive during normal fishing operations.

Here’s how the system works in practice:

• The fisherman programs WaTS in advance to activate at a specific date or time

• During soak time, there are no surface buoys and no vertical lines in the water column

• At the scheduled time, WaTS automatically deploys a buoy and retrieval line

• The gear is clearly marked and ready to be hauled as normal

This on-demand deployment means fishermen can locate and recover their gear with confidence, while keeping the fishery ropeless for the majority of the time. Importantly, WaTS does not interfere with setting, soaking, or fishing gear. Until activation, it simply stays out of the way.

The benefits of ropeless fishing

The benefits of ropeless fishing extend well beyond compliance with regulations.

1. Reduced whale entanglement risk

By removing permanent vertical lines, ropeless fishing dramatically lowers the risk of whales and other marine mammals becoming entangled. This is the primary driver behind whale-safe gear requirements worldwide.

2. Protection against lost and dragged gear

WaTS also addresses a major operational issue for fishermen: lost pots. Gear can be dragged by weather, tides, or passing vessels, leading to expensive losses and long-term ghost fishing. With timed, reliable recovery, ropeless fishing helps protect that investment.

3. Minimal disruption to fishing practices

Unlike some experimental systems, WaTS was designed around how fishermen already work. One unit is needed per line of pots, not per pot, keeping hardware to a minimum.

4. Predictable, efficient hauling

Because WaTS can be scheduled in advance, harvesting remains efficient and predictable. Fishermen know exactly when and where gear will surface.

5. Long-term, low-maintenance operation

WaTS is built for harsh marine environments and has undergone over four years of electronic and pressure testing. The internal battery lasts up to three months and sends smart alerts when it’s time to recharge.

Ropeless fishing vs traditional fishing

When comparing ropeless fishing vs traditional fishing, the biggest difference is what’s happening in the water column during soak time.

Traditional fishing:

• Permanent vertical buoy lines

• Higher whale entanglement risk

• Increased chance of gear conflict and dragging

• Growing regulatory pressure

Ropeless fishing with WaTS:

• No surface lines until retrieval

• Significantly reduced entanglement risk

• Cleaner water column and less gear interaction

• Built to align with current and future regulations

Crucially, ropeless fishing does not mean abandoning proven fishing methods. WaTS bridges the gap between conservation goals and commercial reality.

Why WaTS was developed

WaTS was developed in response to two growing challenges facing lobster and crab fisheries:

1. Reducing whale entanglement - As whale populations recover, interactions with fishing gear have increased. Regulators are responding with stricter whale-safe rules that increasingly favour ropeless and on-demand systems.

2. Preventing lost gear and ghost fishing - At the same time, lost and dragged traps are costing fishermen money and damaging the seabed. WaTS combines ropeless fishing with dependable gear recovery, solving both problems in one system.

The result is a practical, fisherman-led solution that protects marine life without sacrificing efficiency.

The future of ropeless fishing

The future of ropeless fishing is not about experimental trials or niche use cases. It’s about scalable, commercially viable systems that fishermen can trust.

As regulations evolve and whale-safe zones expand, ropeless fishing will continue to move from optional to essential. Systems like WaTS are helping to make that transition realistic by:

• Keeping hardware simple

• Reducing costs per line of pots

• Integrating seamlessly into existing workflows

• Supporting both sustainability and profitability

Ropeless fishing is no longer just about compliance. It’s about future-proofing fisheries, protecting marine ecosystems, and ensuring lobster and crab fishing remains viable for generations to come.

More than ropeless fishing

WaTS is part of the wider Bait Saviour system, developed by Q‑Leap Technology Ltd, alongside products designed to reduce bait waste, cut operating costs, and improve efficiency at sea.

Together, the system supports smarter, safer, and more sustainable fishing without adding complexity.

If you’re looking to understand what ropeless fishing is, how it works in practice, and where the industry is heading, WaTS represents a clear step forward.

Explore the full range or get in touch to see how ropeless fishing with WaTS could work in your fishery.