2003 Volume 40 Issue 2 Pages 125-134
'NaLA', a system for detemining fishing net configuration and loading, has being developed for general, practical use with computer-aided fishing net design systems. This study tested the validity and accuracy of the simulation model through actual flume tank tests, and compares the results of the trawl simulation software DynamiT with those of NaLA to evaluate the accuracy and perfomance of NaLA. Close agreement between experimental and theoretical values was obtained for net shape configuration and tension loads. NaLA can determine the equilibrium state of the net configuration at an early stage, while the DynamiT mesh bars and towing lines bend and the net shape is unstable when the loading is of the order of kilograms, although the reason for this is not clear. Therefore, the calculations used in NaLA are more appropriate for general and practical applications.
