A fisherman from New Zealand has invented a plastic gripping device called the “Keepafish scoop”. It helps you to safely handle your catch.

Fishing enthusiast Tran Lawrence from New Plymouth, New Zealand, is a self-described innovator. His latest invention is one which fish are set to benefit from.

Lawrence has invented a device he calls the KeepaFish scoop. The aim of the device is to help fishers safely handle fish after they’ve caught them. As a fisherman with twenty years of experience, Lawrence believes his invention is one which should be on every New Zealand fishing boat.

He explained: ”Every time you see a fishing show, someone fishing on a pier or on a boat, it’s always an issue to handle the fish. You see the fish struggling, you see the fish beating itself to death.”

However, the Keepafish could change this. To test out the design, Lawrence 3D printed one in blue plastic. He has already used this on hundreds of fish and also won over many sceptical fishers.

How Keepafish Works and What You Can Do to Help

After a fisher has a catch, the fish can be put into the Keepafish. This is then turned upside down, putting the fish into a subdued state, making it easier to unhook and release.

The hook can easily and safely be removed and the fish returned to water without injury from unnecessary thrashing. It also protects the fisher from the fish’s spikes and fins.

The device can also be used as a measure. Lawrence explained: ”If the tail is sticking out it’s a keeper. If it’s inside you have to put it back.”

 

Although there isn’t a ton of profit in his idea, his aim is to have a Keepafish on every boat in New Zealand. He added: “My business mentor straight away said: ‘Tran drop it. This isn’t going to make you any money’.”

However, he believes the cause is worthwhile. ”I said that I liked the idea because it had conservation value. The market is only going to be New Zealand. You are not going to make lots of money but it has environmental and conservational value,” he said. ”At least I can look back in 20 years time and say that was my innovation. I was part of the solution.”

The hope is that either a corporate sponsor or fellow fishers will help bring this device to fruition. Lawrence is launching the Keepafish on Pledge Me and hopes to raise $100,000.

Lawrence added: “We have a local company that loves the idea. But because of the tooling cost and the unknown outcome about whether people are going to take it up, they are reluctant.”

Interested in helping out? Head over to Lawrence’s Pledge Me page. The final product will be transparent so you can see the fish inside and accurately measure it. You can buy one Keepa for $30 or two for $50.

Source: Stuff