DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of fishing nets. More particularly, the present disclosure pertains to a fishing net with location tracking capability.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] A fishing net is an implement used for catching fishes and other aquatic organisms. Fishing nets are made up of textile materials like high density polyethylene and polyamides. Commercially important fishing nets, like trawl net, gill net and long line, are extensively used in India. Fishing nets are usually meshes formed by knotting a relatively thin thread or knitted fabric.
[0004] One application where the fishing nets are extensively used is bottom trawling. Bottom trawling is one of the most common fishing techniques used to catch fishes. In bottom trawling, the net is dragged across sea or river bead, during which all that comes in the way of the net gets wiped up by the net. This is a very effective technique of fishing.
[0005] Sometimes during the fishing, the fishing nets, or a part of the fishing net, may get lost. The lost or abandoned or dumped fishing nets get sunk in the sea bottom and adds to plastic debris and may get entangled with corals. Also, since the synthetic nets do not degrade and retain functionality for a long period of time, the abandoned or lost net fishing nets cause “ghost fishing”, which leads to loss of fishery resources. Furthermore, sometimes the abandoned or lost nets get entangled with ship propellers, or divers my got stuck in the abandoned or lost net leading to accidents and loss of life.
[0006] There is, therefore, a need of an improved fish net that can be easily located in case the fishing net is lost or got detached from the fishing boat.
[0007] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
[0008] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
[0009] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0010] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0011] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0012] A general object of the present disclosure is to protect environment.
[0013] An object of the present disclosure is to minimize effect on fish catch.
[0014] An object of the present disclosure is to minimize effect on fish catch by reducing ghost fishing
[0015] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide means that enable locating lost or abandoned fishing nets, or a part thereof to reduce ghost fishing.
[0016] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a fishing net whose exact location can be ascertained by means of GPS sensors.

SUMMARY
[0017] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to fishing nets. In particular, the present disclosure pertains to improved fish net that can be easily located in case the fishing net of lost or got detached from the fishing boat.
[0018] In an aspect, the disclosed fishing net includes a plurality of location detection sensors. The plurality of location detection sensors include one or more location detection sensors attached to one or more net threads of the fishing net, and at least one location detection sensors attached to a supporting rope or a lead line or a mesh of the fishing net. Each of the plurality of location detection sensors is configured to share its location, which enables to track position of lost, abandoned, or discarded fishing net or part thereof.
[0019] In different embodiments, the location detection sensors can share location based on a combination of a global positioning system (GPS) and global navigation satellite system, or based on a sonar marker.
[0020] In an embodiment, when the location detection sensors is based on GPS, it may include a wireless transmitter to transmit co-ordinates of the location to a satellite of the global navigation satellite system.
[0021] In an alternate embodiment, when the location detection sensors is based on a sonar marker, it may be configured to be detected by scanning by a sonar system to determine the location. The sonar marker may transmit acoustic signal at a frequency of 20-200 kHz.
[0022] In an embodiment, each location detection sensors may include a power source, which can be a rechargeable battery with capacity to provide power for devices of the location detection sensor for a period of at least 15 days. In the embodiment where the location detection sensors is based on GPS, the wireless transmitter is configured to change frequency and strength of the wireless signal based on condition of the power source, to conserve power and thereby extend duration of the transmission.
[0023] In an embodiment, each location detection sensors may include a shell that houses constituent devices of the location detection sensor. The shell may be made from a corrosion resistance metal or an engineering plastic. When made of an engineering plastics it may be selected from a group comprising polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, nylon and polycarbonate.
[0024] In an embodiment, the shells may be made of different colours to facilitate identification.
[0025] In an embodiment, the shell may include at least two mounting points each having a pin made of a metal or a plastic. The pins may be configured to pierce through thread of the fishing net to inseparably secure the location detection sensors to the fishing net.
[0026] In alternate embodiments, the shell may be configured to be secured to the fishing net by any or a combination of a thread, a twine, a rope, an adhesive, a glue, and ultrasonic welding.
[0027] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0028] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary fishing net with location tracking device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0031] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0032] Various terms are used herein. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
[0033] Embodiments explained herein relate to a fish net that includes capability to be tracked in an event of being lost, abandoned or discarded, either fully or partially. The fishing net includes a plurality of location detection sensors, comprising one or more location detection sensors attached to one or more net threads of the fishing net, and at least one location detection sensors attached to a supporting rope or a lead line or a mesh of the fishing net. In different embodiments, the location detection sensors can be configured to share location coordinates based on based on a global positioning system (GPS) and global navigation satellite system, or based on sonar marker.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 1 where the proposed fish net with location tracking device is disclosed, the disclosed fishing net (Also referred to as fishnet and the terms used interchangeably hereinafter) can include a net and one or more cables 104 configured to be coupled to a boat rear side. The net can be coupled with the one or more cables 104 using otter board 102. The net can include an open end and a closed end. The open end can be configured to be coupled with the one or more cables 104. The closed end can be configured to be dragged in the water. The net can include a head line 110 and a ground line 114, and foot rope 108. The ground line 114 that can be configured to be engaged with the water while trawling. The fish net can include a plurality of location detection sensors 112 (Also referred to simply as sensors 112) that can be integrated with the fishnet at one or more pre-determined positions.
[0035] In an embodiment, the plurality of location detection sensors 112 can work based on Global Positioning System (GPS) and can communicate coordinates of the location to one or more satellites. The location detection sensors 112 can be configured to send a set of signals pertaining to location of the fishnet to the one or more satellites of global navigation satellite system by a wireless transmitter configured within the location detection sensors 112. A control unit operatively configured with the one or more mobile computing devices can receive location coordinates from the global navigation satellite system. The one or more satellites can be configured to detect location information of the fishnet from the set of first location. The location information of the fishnet can be delivered to the one or more mobile computing devices associated with one or more users.
[0036] In an embodiment, the pre-defined positions for fixing the plurality of location detection sensors 112 can be selected such that the one or more location detection sensors 112 can be integrated with a plurality of different parts of the fishnet that combine to form the complete fishnet. This can facilitate detection of the any of the plurality of parts of the fishnet, in case any of the part is detached or separated or lost, while fishing, from the fishnet.
[0037] In an alternate embodiment, each of the one or more location detection sensors 112 can include a sonar marker. The sonar marker can send acoustic signals that can be detected in real time by scanning using a sonar system to determine the location. In an embodiment, the sonar marker can transmit acoustic signal at high frequency of 20-200 kHz.
[0038] Irrespective of configuration of the location detection sensors 112 each of the location detection sensors 112 includes a power source, which can be a rechargeable battery with capacity to provide power for devices of the location detection sensor for a period of at least 15 days.
[0039] In an embodiment, each of the location detection sensors 112 can include a shell that houses constituent devices of the location detection sensor 112. The shell can be made from a corrosion resistance metal or an engineering plastic to prevent corrosion due to sea water. The engineering plastics for the shell can be, but not limited to, any or a combination of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, nylon, polycarbonate. In an embodiment, the shells of the location detection sensors 112 can be made of different colours to facilitate identification.
[0040] In an embodiment, the shell of the location detection sensors 112 can include at least two mounting points, each having a pin made of a metal or a plastic. The pins can be configured to pierce through the net thread of the fishing net to inseparably secure the location detection sensors 112 to the fishing net. Alternatively, the shell can be secured to the fishing net by any or a combination of a thread, a twine, a rope, an adhesive, a glue, and ultrasonic welding.
[0041] In an embodiment, the wireless transmitter can be configured to change frequency and strength of the wireless signal based on condition of the power source, to conserve power and thereby extend duration of the transmission.
[0042] Thus, the present disclosure provides a solution to the problem posed by the fully or partially lost/abandoned/ discarded fishing nets. The location detection sensors con figured with the fishing net facilitate tracking and locating the lost/abandoned/ discarded fishing nets for eventual retrieval to reduce ghost fishing. The one or more sensing device can be operatively configured with one or more mobile computing devices that can be further associated with one or more users. Real time location of the fishnet or any of the plurality of parts of the fishnet can be displayed on the mobile computing devices associated with the one or more users.
[0043] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0044] The present disclosure helps in protecting the environment.
[0045] The present disclosure helps to minimize effect on fish catch.
[0046] The present disclosure helps to minimize effect on fish catch by reducing ghost fishing
[0047] The present disclosure provides means that enable locating lost or abandoned fishing nets, or a part thereof to reduce ghost fishing.
[0048] The present disclosure helps provides a fishing net whose exact location can be ascertained by means of GPS sensors.
,CLAIMS:1. A fishing net comprising: a plurality of location detection sensors, the plurality of location detection sensors comprising one or more location detection sensors attached to one or more net threads of the fishing net, and at least one location detection sensors attached to a supporting rope or a lead line or a mesh of the fishing net; wherein each of the plurality of location detection sensors is configured to share location of the location detection sensor, which enables to track position of lost, abandoned or discarded fishing net or part thereof.
2. The fishing net as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the location detection sensors shares location based on any or a combination of a global positioning system (GPS), global navigation satellite system, and a sonar marker.
3. The fishing net as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the location detection sensors comprises a wireless transmitter to transmit co-ordinates of the location to a satellite.
4. The fishing net as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sonar marker is configured to be detected by scanning by a sonar system to determine the location, wherein the sonar marker transmits acoustic signal at a frequency of 20-200 kHz.
5. The fishing net as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the location detection sensors includes a power source, wherein the power source is a rechargeable battery with capacity to provide power for devices of the location detection sensor for a period of at least 15 days.
6. The fishing net as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the location detection sensors comprises a shell that houses constituent devices of the location detection sensor, wherein the shell is made from a corrosion resistance metal or an engineering plastic.
7. The fishing net as claimed in claim 6, wherein the engineering plastics for the shell is selected from a group comprising polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, nylon, polycarbonate.
8. The fishing net as claimed in claim 6, wherein the shells are made of different colours to facilitate identification.
9. The fishing net as claimed in claim 6, wherein the shell includes at least two mounting points each having a pin made of a metal or a plastic; the pins being configured to pierce through net thread of the fishing net to inseparably secure the location detection sensors to the fishing net.
10. The fishing net as claimed in claim 6, wherein the shell is configured to be secured to the fishing net by any or a combination of a thread, a twine, a rope, an adhesive, a glue, and ultrasonic welding.
11. The fishing net as claimed in claim 5, wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to change frequency and strength of the wireless signal based on condition of the power source, to conserve power and thereby extend duration of the transmission.
12. A fishing net having capability to be tracked in an event of being lost, abandoned or discarded, either fully or partially, the fishing net comprising: a plurality of location detection sensors, the plurality of location detection sensors comprising one or more location detection sensors attached to one or more net threads of the fishing net, and at least one location detection sensors attached to a supporting rope or a lead line or a mesh of the fishing net;
wherein each of the plurality of location detection sensors is configured to share location coordinates of the location detection sensor based on based on a global positioning system (GPS) and global navigation satellite system.
13. The fishing net as claimed in claim 12, wherein each of the location detection sensors comprises a wireless transmitter to transmit co-ordinates of the location to a satellite and a power source to power the GPS and the wireless transmitter.
14. The fishing net as claimed in claim 13, wherein each of the location detection sensors includes a power source, wherein the power source is a rechargeable battery with capacity to provide power for devices of the location detection sensor for a period of at least 15 days.
15. The fishing net as claimed in claim 14, wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to change frequency and strength of the wireless signal based on condition of the power source, to conserve power and thereby extend duration of the transmission.
16. A fishing net having capability to be tracked in an event of being lost, abandoned or discarded, either fully or partially, the fishing net comprising: a plurality of location detection sensors, the plurality of location detection sensors comprising one or more location detection sensors attached to one or more net threads of the fishing net, and at least one location detection sensors attached to a supporting rope or a lead line or a mesh of the fishing net;
wherein each of the plurality of location detection sensors is configured to share location details of the location detection sensor based on a sonar marker.
17. The fishing net as claimed in claim 16, wherein the sonar marker is configured to be detected by scanning by a sonar system to determine the location, wherein the sonar marker transmits acoustic signal at a frequency of 20-200 kHz.