Benjamin A Metzger

US Patent:

20100071630, Mar 25, 2010

Filed:

Sep 23, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/565327

Inventors:

Lawrence Jules Borne III - Vero Beach FL, US
Benjamin Alan Metzger - Vero Beach FL, US
Geoff William Beiser - Vero Beach FL, US
Megan Davis - Fellsmere FL, US

Assignee:

Darden Restaurants, Inc. - Orlando FL

International Classification:

A01K 61/00

US Classification:

119213

Abstract:

A mechanized collector for collecting juvenile lobsters to be raised in a growout system is disclosed. The mechanized collector may be formed from a vessel, a longline support system capable of supporting and suspending a longline having a plurality of juvenile lobster collectors above a deck of the vessel, and a shaker assembly positioned to engage at least one of the plurality of juvenile lobster collectors suspended above the deck of the vessel and attached to the longline. The shaker assembly may be configured to shake the plurality of juvenile lobster collectors individually or collectively together, thereby causing the juvenile lobsters to fall into a collection trough positioned under the collector. The plurality of juvenile lobster collectors may be attached to the longline and formed from at least one generally flat panel that is suspended generally vertically in water above the longline with at least one float.