Tidal turbulence was examined using three-dimensional tidal velocity data observed at a trench offshore of Tongyoung, Korea. The kinetic energy and intensity, including the variation period of the flow velocity and direction, were used to investigate the relationships between tidal turbulence and fishing gear dynamics, including the effects of swimming fish during fishing operations. As the resultant velocity increased from 0.2 to 0.9 m/s, the kinetic energy also significantly increased, while the turbulence intensity decreased from 50 to 10%. Tidal flow in strong flow fields displayed shorter periods of between 4 and 10 s, as determined by fast Fourier transform, the global wavelet method, and peak event analysis, and the periods were compared with the period of response to swimming fish and to oscillation of fishing gear. As mean velocity increased, velocity amplitude also increased from 0.1 to 0.6 m/s, and its directional amplitude changed markedly from 20 and 90°. Our study suggests that tidal turbulence can influence fish behavior or fishing gear geometry during fishing operations, although our analysis considered only a limited area. In future work, observations should be carried out over a more extensive depth and area.

• Yonghae KIM(Institute of Marine Industry, College of Marine Science, Gyeongsang National University, Tongyeong, 650-160, Republic of Korea)
• Chul-Hoon HONG(Institute of Marine Industry, College of Marine Science, Gyeongsang National University, Tongyeong, 650-160, Republic of Korea)