System for Harvesting Marine Species Members Including Those that Present a Danger to a Harvester

Abstract

Devices, methods, and systems are disclosed for harvesting a member of a marine species while minimizing or preventing contact between the harvester and the marine species. Certain embodiments reduce the opportunity for contact between the harvester and the harvested member by providing mechanical means for removing the harvested member from a spear. The invention method includes, in one case, the steps of impaling the marine species member, removing the member from the impaling device, and securing the removed member in a manner to prevent contact with the harvester during each step of the method.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A spear for harvesting a marine species member comprising:
 a hollow barrel having a slot formed therein along the hollow barrel, the hollow barrel having a forward portion and a rearward portion;   multiple tines attached to the forward portion of the hollow barrel adapted to impale the marine species member;   a shielding device for removing the marine species member from the spear, wherein the shielding device comprises a plunger disposed in the hollow barrel, the plunger comprising:
 a forward end adapted to contact the impaled marine species member and to move the impaled marine species member off the multiple tines, and 
 a rearward end coupled to a handle through the slot along the hollow barrel, the rearward end adapted for the harvester to operate the plunger with the handle; 
   and   wherein movement of the handle along the slot toward the forward portion of the hollow barrel permits a movement of the forward end of the plunger along the hollow barrel, out of the forward portion of the hollow barrel, and past the multiple tines to push the impaled marine species member off of the multiple tines thereby removing the marine species member from the spear without a direct contact between the marine species member and the harvester.   
     
     
         29 . The spear of  claim 28 , further comprising a stabilizing guide positioned proximal to the forward portion of the hollow barrel and adapted to stabilize the movement of the plunger. 
     
     
         30 . The spear of  claim 28  wherein the spear is chosen from a polespear, a spear ejected from a spear gun, and a spear ejected from a Hawaiian sling. 
     
     
         31 . The spear of  claim 28 , wherein the marine species member presents a danger to a harvester from contact with the marine species member. 
     
     
         32 . The spear of  claim 31 , wherein the marine species member is chosen from a crown-of-thorns starfish and a lionfish. 
     
     
         33 . The spear of  claim 28 , further comprising at least one additional shielding device. 
     
     
         34 . A spear for harvesting a marine species member comprising:
 a hollow barrel having a slot formed therein along the hollow barrel, the hollow barrel having a forward portion and a rearward portion;   a single spear point attached to the forward portion of the hollow barrel adapted to impale the marine species member;   a shielding device for removing the marine species member from the spear, wherein the shielding device comprises a plunger disposed in the hollow barrel, the plunger comprising:
 a forward end adapted to contact the impaled marine species member and to move the impaled marine species member off the single spear point, and 
 a rearward end coupled to a handle through the slot along the hollow barrel, the rearward end adapted for the harvester to operate the plunger with the handle; 
   and   wherein movement of the handle along the slot toward the forward portion of the hollow barrel permits a movement of the forward end of the plunger along the hollow barrel, out of the forward portion of the hollow barrel, and past the single spear point to push the impaled marine species member off of the single spear point thereby removing the marine species member from the spear without a direct contact between the marine species member and the harvester.   
     
     
         35 . The spear of  claim 34 , further comprising a stabilizing guide positioned proximal to the forward portion of the hollow barrel and adapted to stabilize the movement of the plunger. 
     
     
         36 . The spear of  claim 34  wherein the spear is chosen from a polespear, a spear ejected from a spear gun, and a spear ejected from a Hawaiian sling. 
     
     
         37 . The spear of  claim 34 , wherein the marine species member presents a danger to a harvester from contact with the marine species member. 
     
     
         38 . The spear of  claim 37 , wherein the marine species member is chosen from a crown-of-thorns starfish and a lionfish. 
     
     
         39 . The spear of  claim 34 , further comprising at least one additional shielding device.