Influence of the trawling gear on the drag force

Abstract

This paper describes the work which has been initiated during the EC funded DEGREE project in which the penetration and drag forces, encountered during the towing process of different trawl gear components were examined. The influence of the different variables associated with the towing process, such as the velocity at which the gear element is towed and the type of seabed has been associated with fuel efficiency in the analysis presented in this paper. The influence of two gear components, otter door and roller clump on the drag force is examined. These two components, with notably different geometries, are examined with respect to the drag forces obtained from both the fluid and friction (sea bed contact) components. The influence of the attitude of the door as well as the speed at which the components are towed are examined. Keywords- modelling; trawl components; drag force