Overview
EN ISO 16663-1:2009 (CEN adoption of ISO 16663-1:2009) specifies a standardized laboratory method for determining the mesh opening (size of the mesh opening) of fishing nets using an objective mesh gauge. The method is applicable to both active and passive fishing gear and defines the principle, apparatus, measurement forces, calibration/verification and test procedures for dry and wet testing.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Principle: An objective, electrically driven mesh gauge inserts jaws into a mesh, stretches it until a preset measurement force is reached, and records the mesh opening automatically.
- Objective mesh gauge specifications:
- Electrically driven, automatic operation with built-in force measurement.
- Force range 5 N to 180 N with precision 1 N; fixed forces of 10 N, 20 N, 50 N and 125 N.
- Jaws: 2 mm thick, rounded edges radius 1 mm; measurement precision 1 mm.
- Measurement range 10 mm to 300 mm; stretching speed (300 ± 30) mm/min.
- Rugged, lightweight design (≤ 2.5 kg), corrosion-resistant, IP56 dust/water rating, operating −10 °C to +40 °C; storage −25 °C to +65 °C.
- Software & data:
- Menu-driven UI, one-handed operation, integral display.
- Stores ≥ 1 000 measurements, transmits data to a computer.
- Computes mean mesh opening (rounded to 0.1 mm); automatic selection of longer diagonal for square meshes; saves raw measurement data for verification.
- Automatic self-test on start-up; safe shutdown on error.
- Measurement forces:
- Active gear: 20 N for meshes