| CPC A01K 69/08 (2013.01) | 19 Claims |
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1. A trap accessory, configured to be operably attached to a trap utilized in an aquatic environment, the trap accessory comprising:
a trap frame comprising a slot and a frame extension, wherein the trap frame is configured to be removably attached to the trap;
a buoyant recovery buoy arranged in the slot and comprising a connector flange extending from one end thereof, the recovery buoy being releasably attached to the frame extension of the trap frame via the connector flange;
a buoy line fixedly connected to the trap frame and to the recovery buoy;
an attachment component that operably and releasably connects the connector flange to the frame extension,
wherein the attachment component comprises a degradable metal that degrades in the aquatic environment such that, when the attachment component degrades to a point of failure, the connector flange becomes unattached from the frame extension,
wherein, when the attachment component degrades to the point of failure, the recovery buoy floats away from the slot of the trap frame to an outside water surface of the aquatic environment and provides an exit in the trap, the outside water surface being where the aquatic environment meets an air atmosphere,
wherein, when the recovery buoy floats away from the slot of the trap frame, the buoy line extends between the trap frame and the recovery buoy,
wherein the recovery buoy is arranged in the slot such that it extends in a first direction from a first end of the trap frame to a second end of the trap frame, and
wherein the frame extension protrudes from the trap frame in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
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