Breakable link

#The present invention generally relates to a breakable link for use in a fishing line which breaks upon application of a load in excess of a terminal material failure of the breakable link. More particularly, the present invention relates to a breakable link configured to reliably break when a large animal such as a cetacean is entangled in the fishing line equipped with the breakable link, thereby releasing the animal without harm or death, or only with minimal injury.

#It has been known in the fishing industry that whales and other cetaceans may be entangled in various underwater obstructions, such as fixed fishing gear, crab traps, sink gillnets, lobster trawls, and the like. More particularly, these animals may become entangled with buoy lines connecting a surface buoy at the water surface level to underwater gear located at the sea bottom. If the entanglement happens, the animal is likely to attempt to tow the surface buoy, buoy line and the underwater gear associated with the surface buoy. The heavy weight of the underwater gear, as well as the drag resistance from movement of the gear through the water, limits the ability of the animal to maneuver and/or resurface for air. The size and strength of the animal lets it continue for a limited time but under great strain and stress. In some cases, the animal may be severely injured and/or stressed which can lead to death of the animal.

#Certain federal legislation, such as NMFS, has been passed to impose strict standards on the fishing industry to protect marine mammals from death or injury caused by entanglement with underwater fishing lines. A solution has been proposed to timely disconnect the underwater gear from the surface buoy, thereby releasing the entangled whale/cetacean from the buoy line attaching the two devices. In order to carry out this method, there is still a need for a device which, when incorporated in a fishing line, will reliably break to separate the buoy from the gear and free the entangled animal.

#The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, wherein elements having the same reference numeral designations represent like elements throughout, and wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a fishing line incorporating a breakable link of the invention;

#FIG. 2 is a front view of a breakable link in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

#A breakable link and a fishing line incorporating the breakable link in accordance with the present invention are described. In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawing.

#Referring now to FIG. 1, a fishing line 10 is shown. The fishing line 10 comprises a surface buoy 12, underwater gear 14 and a buoy line 16 connecting the surface buoy 12 with the underwater gear 14. The underwater gear 14 may comprise one or more gillnets, lobster trawls, quahog traps, clam, crab and oyster traps or sleds, fishing weirs, and long line fishery equipment. However, the underwater gear 14 is not limited to fishing gear, but can also include any submerged equipment, device or system where entanglement by marine mammals is a potential problem. The underwater gear 14 may include water column obstructions as well. The surface buoy 12 may include any floating device used to indicate the location of the underwater gear 14. The surface buoy 12 is connected to the underwater gear 14 via the buoy line 16 which comprises a rope, cable, etc. made of natural or synthetic material such as nylon, polyester, polypropylene, or other plastic or suitable material known in the art. In addition, the rope or cable 16 is attached to the surface buoy 12 and/or underwater gear 14 by any means known in the art. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the surface buoy 12 floats at the water surface level 13 while the underwater gear 14 is positioned e.g. on the seabed 15.

#The fishing line 10 further comprises at least one breakable link in accordance with the present invention. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the fishing line 10 may include one or more breakable links at any locations along the fishing line 10. For example, a breakable link in one embodiment of the present invention can be placed in the buoy line 16 at a location 18a in the water column near the surface buoy 12. Additionally or alternatively, a breakable link can be placed at a location 18b in the buoy line 16 near the underwater gear 14 on the sea bed 15. Additionally or alternatively, a breakable link can be placed at a location 18c in the middle of the buoy line 16 between the surface buoy 12 and underwater gear 14.