FP5 - OMEGA project
Programme: Fifth Framework Programme of the European Commission
Project Title: Development and testing of an objective mesh gauge
Acronym: OMEGA
Duration: 2002-2005
Total Budget : € 796.124,00
Web site: www.dvz.be/omega
Summary: The main aim of the project was to design, build and test a new objective mesh gauge, suitable for fisheries inspection, fisheries research and the fishing industry. In support, a protocol was written for using the new electronic mesh gauge for control and scientific purposes, taking account of legal aspects of mesh inspection. The manufacturers constructed a test gauge which was evaluated by a sub-group of the partners. Modifications were then carried out to improve the ergonomics, functionality and software. Prototype instruments were built and distributed to the partners and associates for extensive laboratory and field testing. The tests were performed on a large variety of netting materials representative of European fishing gears. A large volume of data was produced and subjected to an appropriate statistical analysis. The OMEGA gauge gave stable user independent results. The project successfully met the aim of developing an objective instrument for mesh measurement free of human influence. The discrepancy between fisheries research and inspection, caused by the use of different measuring instruments, would cease to exist and lead to a better implementation of technical conservation regulations. Inspectors using the gauge for enforcement purposes will obtain more accurate and unbiased measurements, providing more reliable and convincing evidence for the courts. In 2005 the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea adopted the OMEGA gauge as the new standard gauge to replace the ICES gauge. The European Committee of Netting Manufacturers (EUROCORD) also recommended the use of the OMEGA gauge during the production of sheet netting. The European Commission reviewed the Commission Regulation on mesh measurement and introduced the use of a new electronic mesh gauge (Commission Regulation (EC) No 517/2008).
Contact person in ISMAR: iole.leonori@ismar.cnr.it
Partnership:
- CLO-DVZ, Belgium
- AID The Netherlands
- BFAFI BLE, Germany
- IFREMER, MAP-DPMA, France
- DGRP, AZTI Spain
- CNR – ISMAR Italy
- FRS, SFPA, United Kingdom
- OBSERVATOR Instruments, The Netherlands
- MARELEC N.V., Belgium
