SEAPA's NEW LINE OF OYSTER BASKETS

We had a visit from our buddy Shawn from SEAPA this week and he left us with some killer samples of their new line of oyster baskets.

We had messed around with SEAPA stuff in the past and weren't impressed, felt flimsy, had hard to open doors, funny colors, and we basically wrote them off. Well, our tune is way different now, the stuff is solid, the doors open smooth and easy, the stuff is all black (lots of anti-UV), and it comes now in multiple sizes...bottom line...it is now customizable to our situations and we think this gear could do well in our area.


They have two categories "LONGLINE" and "MULTIPURPOSE". The longline baskets are similar to the old style but the multipurpose are just that, they can be used in a variety of ways.

LONGLINE

MULTIPURPOSE
The longest multipurpose basket is about 44", the post in the picture is about 4.5 feet tall.

So, the door and cap on the multipurpose basket is a bit bulky but that is done by design. Notice the square holes and the round holes in the diamond shapes. The diamond with round hole allows for stacking of the baskets so they can be locked together for ladder style hanging or just stacking, or bundling them together.

The square hole design allows for running rails across the basket to rest on racks. (photo courtesy of www.seapa.com.au)

They have a new cap design on the longline baskets which was streamline and again easy to use.




I still think the thing that got our attention the most besides the extra big multipurpose basket was the 3mm seed basket. This thing could make seed work a snap, especially if you use it from a dock. It was a little bit more pricey because of the amount of plastic but you wouldn't need too many.

At the end of this post, I have some videos about the seapa system and one shows the Australian method of doing longlines on treated pine posts...hmmm...sounds like docks and piers...if you happen to think that way, below are the clips you would/could use to attach the baskets.
Otherwise, we think a rack method might work, but like everything else its all situational.

If you want to see the baskets first hand we will have them at the Virginia Aquacultural Conference Nov 13-14 2009 in Williamsburg, VA; at the East Coast Commercial Fishermen's and Aquacultural Trade Show in Ocean City, MD Jan 29-31 2010; or just call and stop by the office to check them out.

Oh yeah, no need to book a flight to Australia, we'll have some in shortly, if you have certain styles you are interested in speak up soon.

VIDEOS

SEAPA basket assembly... this guy is using a "jig"( aluminum angle with two welded posts) to form the tube, he is way fast but the ends still need to be snapped on which isn't too bad.



The music is a little cheesy but the pictures are great. Side note, notice they don't work their oysters on the water, that is all done inland in a "shed" where they keep their hi-tech sorting and washing gear.



This is SEAPA's video which is geared very much to longline systems but its more information.