WaTS
WHALE AND TRAP SAVIOUR
Protect our Ocean and Preserve the Future
What is WaTS?
The Whale and Trap Saviour (WaTS) is an innovative, compact device that protects whales and preserves fishing gear by reducing entanglement risks in fixed-gear fisheries. Mounted directly to lobster and crab traps, WaTS remains inactive until needed - automatically deploying a backup buoy and retrieval rope if the surface buoy is lost or a whale-triggered breakaway occurs. This smart system enables safe escape for marine mammals while ensuring gear recovery for fishers, bridging the gap between sustainable fishing and marine conservation.
How It Works
Step 1 - Fit WaTS
Attached WaTS to just a single trap in your line of traps and forget it's even there. WaTS will only deploy when needed, and only needs to be removed to charge every 6 months.
Step 2 - WaTS Triggered
If the main buoy line is lost (e.g. due to whale entanglement), WaTS automatically opens to release a backup buoy, allowing the gear to be safely recovered from the surface.
Step 3 - Gear Recovery
The backup buoy rises to the surface, with the recovery line attached to the trap. This allows the gear to be safely retrieved from the seabed without diving or grappling.
Why WaTS Matters
Every year, vertical lines from fixed-gear fisheries pose a serious threat to migrating whales. Entanglements can lead to severe injury or even death for marine mammals - studies show that up to 40% of whale deaths are caused by entanglement. These incidents don’t just harm wildlife - they result in lost traps, costly rescue operations, and regulatory risk for fishers.
WaTS (Whale and Trap Saviour system) directly addresses this issue by releasing the primary buoy under high tension—allowing a whale to escape safely - while retaining the trap on the seabed. When this happens, WaTS automatically deploys a backup buoy and retrieval rope, enabling the operator to recover their lobster/crab traps in the event the main surface lines are lost.
WaTS is a practical, affordable innovation that empowers lobster fishers to fish responsibly without sacrificing efficiency or earnings.
fit & forget solution
WaTS is designed for effortless, long-term use. Simply fix the mount to the trap and it's ready, no daily setup or repeated handling required. Only one unit is needed per line of pots, reducing hardware and keeping your gear streamlined. The internal battery lasts up to three months and sends smart alerts to your phone when it’s time to recharge. Until activated, WaTS remains securely in place, passive and unobtrusive, ready to deploy only when needed.
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Set up once
Install the mount to the creel and you're ready, no repeated fitting required
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Fit and forget
WaTS stays in place and requires no daily handling or interaction
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Only activates when needed
Automatically deploys in the event of a breakaway, with no manual input
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Works with NOAA-approved breakaway links
Fully compatible with certified whale-safe devices already in use
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Protects gear and marine life
Made to prevent trap loss while reducing risk to whales and other marine species
WHY WaTS WAS DEVELOPED
The Whale and Trap Saviour WaTS focuses on both preventing entanglement and enabling the recovery of lost traps. Protecting marine wildlife and preserving valuable gear need not be at odds. That’s why we’ve partnered with leading manufacturers of NOAA-approved weak link devices - engineered to break under specific tension (typically 1,700 lb) to prevent entanglement with whales and other marine life.
HOW IT WORKS
WaTS works with certified breakaway couplings that are installed in the main buoy line using standard rope splices or clip-in methods. Under normal conditions, they remain intact. But when a large force, such as a whale striking or dragging the line, is applied, the link is designed to release, preventing injury or entanglement.
This is great for the whales, but it raises a critical issue for fishermen: lost gear.
ENTER WaTS
Our Whale and Trap Saviour system (WaTS) is directly connected to the trap itself. In the event of a breakaway, WaTS automatically deploys a backup buoy, with the recovery line attached to the trap, allowing fishermen to locate and recover their gear at the time they harvest their tarps! This allows the gear to be safely retrieved from the seabed without diving or grappling.
Mounting WaTS
WaTS is designed for a simple and reliable setup. The unit is fixed outside the creel within its protective mesh cage, allowing it to function without taking up valuable space inside the pot.
Importantly, you only need one WaTS device rigged to a single pot or creel per line. This ensures effective gear recovery while keeping your setup efficient and uncluttered.
You’ve Only Seen the Tip of the Trap
WaTS is just one part of the Bait Saviour system. Our full product line has been created to work together, giving fishermen smarter, safer, and more efficient ways to operate at sea. From recovering lost pots to reducing bait waste, every product in our range is built to save time, cut costs, and support a more sustainable future for lobster fishing. Watch the video below to see the complete range in action.
Like what you see? Head over to our shop to explore the full range, with detailed product information and pricing. Whether you’re looking for smarter baiting solutions, recovery systems, or accessories, you’ll find everything you need to make your lobster fishing more efficient and cost-effective.