Laboratory and field trials of OMEGA, a new objective mesh gauge

The OMEGA gauge is a new objective mesh gauge that has been accepted by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) as the new standard for scientific mesh measurements to replace the ICES gauge. Trials carried out during the development of the OMEGA gauge are described here. The trials were carried out by fisheries inspection services, fisheries research institutes and netting manufacturers in EU and ICES member countries, in Turkey and by the NAFO. The results informed changes to the mesh measuring force recommended by the ICES Study Group on Mesh Measurement Methodology that have subsequently been adopted.