# US 9,520,074 B2 · Degradable identification component

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 9,520,074 B2
- Document ID: US9520074B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/180,658
- Filed: 2014-02-14
- Published: 2014-06-12
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2012-02-23
- Assignees: College of William and Mary
- Applicants: College of William and Mary
- Inventors: Kirk J. Havens; Donna Marie Bilkovic; David M. Stanhope; Kory T. Angstadt
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9520074B2

## CPC

- G09F 3/02: Forms or constructions (layered products B32B)
- A01K 69/06: Traps
- A01K 69/08: Rigid traps, e.g. lobster pots
- A01K 75/00: Accessories for fishing nets; Details of fishing nets, e.g. structure
- Y10T 428/31786: Of polyester [e.g., alkyd, etc.]
- G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- A01K: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

Herein we describe fishing gear having a degradable identification component comprising a polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer, as well as methods for ensuring that such identification component degrades quickly after detachment. Aquatic debris has a negative economic and ecological impact, and thus it is advantageous to use implements that will degrade into environmentally benign compounds. Incorporating a degradable identification component into fishing gear provides an effective, economical solution. Suitable degradable identification components are described herein.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus comprising:
a fishing implement having a boundary defining an enclosed space sufficient to house a targeted aquatic species; and
a degradable identification component attached to said fishing implement;
wherein said degradable identification component comprises a polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer; and
wherein said degradable identification component degrades by weight at last twice as much when said fishing implement and said degradable identification component are continuously submerged for six months than when said fishing implement and said degradable identification component are actively fished for six months, wherein when said fishing implement and said degradable identification component are actively fished for six months said fishing implement and said degradable identification component are temporarily removed from water being fished regularly or periodically within the six months.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said identification component is a tag.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said tag includes the name of the owner of said fishing implement.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said tag includes a warning against the theft of said fishing implement.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said tag includes a warning against the theft of the contents of said fishing implement.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said identification component is a permit.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said permit is issued by a state.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said permit limits the quantity of fishing implements allowed in a jurisdiction.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said jurisdiction is a state's territorial waters.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fishing implement is a trap.