Between 2014 and 2016, development focused on building and testing early prototypes. Initial systems used simple timer-based mechanisms paired with lift bag concepts, with the goal of proving reliable operation at depth. Testing took place in a variety of environments, including trials on the West Coast.

These early designs were intentionally simple, prioritizing functionality and proof of concept over refinement.

As experience in the field grew, particularly through work connected with the Center for Coastal Studies around 2016, the scale of the issue became more apparent.

The mission expanded beyond bycatch to include broader challenges such as marine debris and the need for new ocean technologies. This marked a shift toward developing solutions that could operate at a larger, system-wide level.

In 2017, a pivotal moment occurred at a marine mammology conference during a public right whale science panel.

Public discussions emphasized the severity of the species’ decline and the lack of viable solutions. In response, a working system was presented, supported by video evidence demonstrating successful operation, marking a key moment where the concept was introduced to the broader scientific community.

Collaboration expanded to include acoustic communication systems, with testing conducted alongside prominent subsea technology researchers. The integration of micro-modem technology introduced the ability to communicate with and control gear underwater, representing a major advancement in functionality.

By 2019, the core architecture of the modern system had been established. The combination of high-pressure air, controlled lift bag deployment, and acoustic triggering formed the foundation of the current product line. From that point forward, development focused on improving reliability, repeatability, and performance.

in 2019, SMELTS began collaborating with Teledyne Marine, an industry leader in subsea technology, to develop a Lift-Raft using the Teledyne Compact Modem.

The first SMELTS units deployed through the Northeast Fisheries Science Center gear library marked an important step in making the technology accessible to harvesters. These units helped establish the foundation of the gear library itself, which emerged from discussions within the Ropeless Consortium about the future of gear ownership.

Rather than requiring individual investment, the gear library model made advanced ropeless systems available for shared use, lowering barriers to adoption and accelerating real-world testing in active fisheries.

SMELTS continued to test gear alongside commercial harvesters to continue to prove and improve the Lift-Raft platform.

Collaborating closely with fishermen ensures that solutions are practical, reliable, and grounded in real-world conditions, ultimately driving adoption and long-term success in the fishery.

With support from PEW, SMELTS began work with Fio Marine to create the first acoustic modems with a timed release.

In the summer of 2019, SMELTS was featured in the award winning film Entangled, a documentary style feature length film focused on the efforts being taken to protect right whales from extinction

The Crab-Raft was developed for use in crab fisheries, marking SMELTS’ expansion into additional fisheries and the beginning of broader applications across new markets and industries.

SMELTS partnered with Blue Ocean Gear, developers of the Smart Buoy system for longline fisheries. Through this work, SMELTS identified the potential for satellite-connected buoys to be applied to bottom-set gear, addressing a key requirement for reliable gear marking in support of ropeless deployment.

In the summer of 2020, SMELTS partnered with EdgeTech to adapt & develop the 5112 acoustic release for on-demand fishing. The 5112 acoustic release provided a robust solution for the Lift-Raft technology, and ended up becoming one of the most widely-deployed acoustics packages.

In collaboration with Jasco Applied Sciences, SMELTS builds the Whale Recorder Raft, which houses hydrophones and listening technology capable of recording whales.

SMELTS continues to develop and test new gear in the pursuit of reliabile & durable solutions. The Fishable trap is tested, which houses all the necessary lifting components in a conventional lobster trap.

By this point, SMELTS has built ~35 unique Lift-Rafts, and roduction begins ramping up as the demand increases.