WaTS
WHALE AND TRAP SYSTEM
Ropeless Fishing
Protect our Ocean and Preserve the Future
What is WaTS
WaTS is a ropeless fishing device and Whale-Safe Gear Solutions Ropeless and on-demand fishing systems are increasingly being adopted by lobster and crab fisheries to reduce the risk of marine mammal entanglement, particularly involving whales. By removing permanent vertical lines and surface buoys from the water column, ropeless fishing significantly lowers entanglement risk while helping fisheries comply with evolving whale-safe fishing regulations. WaTS (Whale and Trap System) is a ropeless compact, practical solution designed for fixed-gear fisheries, including lobster and crab operations. Its primary benefit is the elimination of marine mammal entanglement risk, without disrupting normal fishing practices. Mounted directly onto lobster and crab pots, WaTS remains inactive during standard fishing operations. It does not interfere with how fishermen set, fish, or manage their gear. How WaTS hopeless fishing Works WaTS can be programmed in advance to activate on a specific day or time when the fisherman plans to haul their traps. This allows fishing gear to remain completely ropeless and unobstructed in the water column until retrieval is required. At the scheduled time, WaTS automatically deploys a buoy, clearly marking the gear for recovery. This controlled, timed deployment enables fishermen to: Locate and harvest their lobster and crab pots with confidence Prevent long-term ghost fishing Maintain efficient and predictable harvesting schedules By combining scheduled activation with automatic buoy deployment, WaTS supports true ropeless fishing while remaining practical for everyday commercial use. Supporting Safer and More Sustainable Fishing
Why ropeless fishing Matters
WaTS – Whale and Trap System
WaTS (Whale and Trap System) is a compact, practical gear recovery and whale-safe fishing system designed specifically for fixed-gear fisheries, including lobster pots and crab pots. It provides two critical benefits:
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Reducing whale and marine mammal entanglement risk
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Ropeless fishing to preventing the loss of expensive fishing gear by ensuring reliable pot recovery
Mounted directly onto lobster and crab pots, WaTS remains inactive during normal fishing operations and does not interfere with how fishermen set, soak, or fish their gear.
Key Benefits of WaTS Ropeless Fishing
PROTECTION
Eliminates vertical rope in the water column, reducing entanglement risk for whales and other marine life.
Fishery Access
Eliminates vertical rope in the water column, reducing entanglement risk for whales and other marine life.
Reduced Gear Loss
Minimises losses from storms, vessel strikes, and poaching by removing surface markers and buoy lines.
WaTS Built for Commercial Fishing
WaTS is designed for effortless, long-term use. Simply fix the mount to the trap and it's ready.
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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Precision engineering
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4 Years of ongoing Electronic and Pressure Testing
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Proven to protect marine life
and fishing gear
How WaTS helps
WaTS ropeless fishing Was Developed
WaTS (Whale and Trap System) was developed in response to two growing challenges facing lobster and crab fisheriesworldwide: the need to reduce whale entanglement risk and the increasing problem of lost and dragged fishing gear.
Reducing Whale Entanglement
Traditional fixed-gear fishing relies on permanent vertical buoy lines, which are a known cause of whale and marine mammal entanglements. As whale-safe regulations evolve, fisheries are under increasing pressure to adopt ropeless fishing and on-demand fishing systems that remove these lines from the water column. WaTS was designed to support this transition by keeping traps ropeless during soak time and only deploying a retrieval line when it is needed.
Preventing Gear Loss and Dragged Traps
At the same time, fishermen face rising costs from lost lobster pots and crab pots. Traps can be dragged away by passing vessels, weather, or strong tides, leading to expensive gear loss, downtime, and long-term ghost fishing.
A Practical Solution for Real-World Fishing
WaTS was developed to offer a practical, fisherman-focused solution that balances conservation goals with the realities of commercial fishing. By combining ropeless fishing capability with reliable gear recovery, WaTS ropeless fishing helps protect marine wildlife while also protecting fishermen’s investment in their gear.
In short, WaTS exists to support safer, more sustainable lobster and crab fisheries—reducing entanglement risk, preventing lost gear, and helping fishermen continue to operate efficiently in changing regulatory environments.
Mounting WaTS
WaTS is designed for a simple and reliable setup. The unit is fixed outside the creel within its protective plastic coated galvanised metal mesh cage, allowing it to function without taking up valuable space inside the pot.
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 ropeless fishing and 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, a ropeeless fishing systems, or accessories, you’ll find everything you need to make your lobster fishing more efficient and cost-effective.
