Ropeless Systems Awarded U.S. Patent for Novel Ropeless Fishing Technology
Announcement
Biddeford, ME — October 8, 2025 — Ropeless Systems, Inc., a leader in on-demand commercial fishing equipment, is proud to announce the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 12396445, titled “Ropeless Fishing System and Method.”
Solving a New Subsea Acoustic Problem
The patent demonstrates a method that enables fixed-gear fisheries to operate without surface markers by utilizing acoustic communication between vessels and submerged fishing gear. The system includes a surface subsystem mounted on the vessel, which transmits omnidirectional acoustic interrogation signals and receives directional response signals. Submerged gear is equipped with an underwater acoustic actuator-transponder (UAAT) that responds to commands for both positioning, as well as actuation of an air bag system for retrieval.
The patent includes 17 claims covering all the necessary features required for fishing with real-time positioning and display of gear.
Bidirectional acoustic communication.
Real-time geolocation and ownership identification.
Coded signal transmission for secure, targeted gear retrieval.
Integration with human-machine interfaces for display and control.
A drawing from Ropeless System’s patent, illustrating communication and recovery methods using the Ropeless RISER™ transceiver on a fishing boat and RISER™ seafloor transponders attached to both ends of a string of traps.
Resolving the New Challenge for Commercial Fishers
This patent represents a transformative solution to one of the most pressing challenges to commercial trap fishing, the threat of the removal of vertical lines and surface buoys that have been shown to endanger marine life. In the absence of this traditional fishing methodology, the preferred method is “ropeless” or “on-demand” fishing that uses subsea acoustics to initiate self-contained retrieval mechanisms such as air bags or stowed buoys with line.
Unlike alternative approaches that rely on estimated surface GPS coordinates recorded at the time of gear deployment, Ropeless Systems’ patented technology uses real-time subsea acoustic positioning. This allows fishermen to actively interrogate gear near their vessels and receive precise location data. The fisherman will see all gear whether owned or non-owned. They will be able to find their deployed gear even if the gear has shifted due to currents or interference. This dynamic positioning technique ensures efficient retrieval, reduces gear loss, prohibits fishermen from stacking gear, and enables regulators to monitor gear ownership and placement with unprecedented clarity.
An image from Ropeless System’s U.S. patent “Ropeless Fishing System and Method” describing the math involved in positioning fishing gear on the seafloor.
Seafloor on-demand fishing systems’ real-time locations are displayed on a chart plotter using Ropeless System’s patented technology.
“This patent validates years of research and development aimed at supporting the fishing industry, while simultaneously protecting marine ecosystems. Our system replaces traditional gear with intelligent, fishermen-centric, ocean-friendly technology.”
Ropeless Systems continues to collaborate with regulators, researchers, and fishing communities to deploy this technology across global fisheries. With this patent, the company reinforces its commitment to fishermen, innovation, sustainability, and the future of ocean stewardship.
About Ropeless RISER™ MTA
The patent pending Ropeless RISER™ Multicode Transponder Actuator (MTA) uses proprietary acoustic signaling to help fishermen locate and recover deployed gear and to identify other submerged gear in the surrounding area. To meet functional and regulatory requirements, Ropeless RISER™ facilitates the following on-demand functions:
Equipment recovery using an Enclosed Flotation Bag (EFB)
Measuring the position of all gear on the sea floor in latitude and longitude
Determining gear ownership
Establishing gear type (singles vs. trawls) and position
The Ropeless RISER™ system facilitates easy retrieval while also allowing the fishery to “see” their own gear and the gear of other fisheries in the area. The unique design of the Ropeless RISER™ uses an inflatable airbag rather than stowed ropes with fixed flotation to recover gear from the ocean floor. This makes it ideal for rugged, deep water fishing operations like those necessary to trap Box Crab.
Ropeless Systems creates technology and products to allow fishermen to fish in otherwise closed areas, preserving their livelihoods while simultaneously protecting marine mammals.
Learn more at www.ropeless.us