Omega Gauge Purchase and Maintenance Services

Tender description

Historically the measurement of fishing net mesh size was carried out by the fisheries officer using a 'push' gauge. The push gauge was a calibrated brass triangle that the inspector pushed into the net to determine the size of mesh. The inconsistency with this approach was that the determination of the maximum mesh size was dependent on the strength of the inspector. This opened the pathway to legal challenge therefore a different measuring device needed to be developed. Within a European project, coordinated by the Sea Fisheries department of Belgium, and in close cooperation with Marelec, Observator developed the OMEGA Mesh gauge. The project started in 2002 and after several studies, laboratory and field tests, the Omega mesh gauge was developed and released. This gauge delivers a consistent force every time. The Newton meter force can be changed to suit the differing sizes of net mesh used in the differing commercial fisheries.