The sinking performance of the tuna purse seine gear with large-meshed panels using numerical method

This paper reports an improved version of the numerical method used in a previous study on the dynamic simulation of purse seine gear in three dimensions. The improvement is achieved by refining the mass–spring model to take into account both the drag coefficient as a function of the attack angle and Reynolds number as applied to the setting operation of the purse seine gear. The validity of the numerical simulation is assessed by comparing the measured and calculated values for the sinking depth of the net. The numerical simulation is used to examine the sinking performance of the different designs in which large meshed-panels and netting materials are used together in the main body section of the netting. The results indicate that, compared to the prototype net, nets bearing larger mesh panels require more sinking depth with much more pronounced operational depth at corresponding times of the fishing operation when heavier netting material is used. Moreover, in the new net designs, lower tensile forces are exerted on both ends of the pure wire during pursing. The new net constructions with regard to the operational depth represent alternatives that may reduce the potential problem of frequent failed setting of the tuna purse seine gear.