Development of an experimental method for quantifying the resistance to opening of netting panels

In recent years, there has been a tendency, in some sectors of the fishing industry, towards the use of thicker and stiffer twines in the manufacture of netting materials. Previous work has shown that the use of such netting increases the mesh resistance to opening and consequently reduces the selective performance of fishing gears. The main twine characteristic that contributes to mesh resistance to opening is the flexural rigidity of the netting twine. This poster presents an experimental method of measuring twine flexural rigidity. Thus it will be possible to use twine flexural rigidity as an explanatory variable in selectivity studies and also include mesh resistance to opening in mathematical models of commercially fished codends.