Patent ID: 7908788
Filing Date: 2011-03-22
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for mounting to a fish hook to reduce the likelihood of the hook being ingested by seabirds or turtles or to reduce or prevent hooking of a seabird or a turtle by the fish hook, the apparatus comprising a barrier and a degradable component, said degradable component mounting the barrier to the hook or retaining the barrier in a mounted position on the hook, wherein the barrier reduces a likelihood of the seabird becoming hooked by the hook when the barrier is mounted to the hook, said degradable component comprising a material that degrades in water and loses structural integrity such that the barrier moves away from the hook and a fishing line to which the hook is attached after a period of immersion of the barrier, degradable component and hook in water, wherein the barrier comprises a shield that is placed over a hook to shield the hook to thereby reduce or prevent ingestion of the hook or undesired hooking of a seabird or turtle by the hook, wherein the apparatus further comprises means for retaining the shield in a mounted position on the hook, said means for retaining comprising the degradable component, and said means for retaining comprising a pin.