Lobster trap

A lobster trap is a portable device used in lobster fishing.

These tools are designed to capture lobsters or crayfish. Some people also call these devices lobster pots. In Scotland, specifically in the north, people use the word creel. These traps are important tools for harvesting seafood from the ocean floor. A single trap is capable of holding several lobsters at once. They are essential for the commercial fishing industry.

The mechanism of a trap relies on a one-way entrance.

A fisherman places bait inside the trap to attract the animals. This bait is often fish or a substance called chum. The trap is then dropped down to the sea floor. To find the trap later, a long rope is attached to it. This rope leads to a buoy made of plastic or styrofoam. The buoy floats on the surface and displays the owner's license number. This system allows the fisherman to locate and retrieve the trap.

Many traps use a specific internal structure to keep their catch.

Some pots are built in two distinct parts. The first part is called the chamber, or sometimes the "kitchen." This is where the bait is located to lure the lobster. The lobster then moves into a second area called the parlor. The design of the parlor prevents the lobster from escaping. The entrance to these areas is a tunnel of netting or another one-way device. This ensures the lobster can enter but cannot find the way out.

Traps are constructed from various durable materials.

Older or traditional designs might use a wood frame surrounded by mesh. In the Northeast of the United States, newer traps are very common. These often consist of a metal frame that is coated in plastic. The Canadian Maritimes also use these plastic-coated metal frames. Some traps may even be made of rigid plastic. The choice of material helps the trap withstand the harsh ocean environment.

The history of the lobster trap began in the early 1800s.

Ebenezer Thorndike invented the lobster trap in 1808. He lived in Swampscott, Massachusetts. By 1810, a different version called the wooden lath trap appeared in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. New England fishermen used these tools for many years. Eventually, American companies introduced them to the Canadian fishery. They did this through various canneries located along the Atlantic coast. An 1899 report by the United States Fish Commission detailed the use of "lath pots" in Maine.

Fishermen must manage their traps with regular care.

They typically check their traps every other day. During these checks, they may need to add more bait. While traps are useful, they are not always perfectly efficient. One study indicated that almost all lobsters can actually escape. Using automatic rebaiting is one way to improve this efficiency. Fishermen often drop many traps at once, sometimes up to 40 or more.

There are serious safety and environmental considerations in lobster fishing.

Fishermen face risks if they become entangled in the trap lines. If they are pulled overboard, there is a risk of drowning. Best practices have been developed to reduce these dangers. Additionally, scientists are looking at ways to protect marine life. Whales can become entangled in the ropes used for trapping. Researchers are currently studying rope-less lobster traps to solve this problem. Some of these new designs have already been developed.