The objective of this study was to estimate physical properties and fishing performances of net twine with improved PBS copolymer resin (Bio-new), the existing PBS/PBAT blending resin (Bio-old) and commercial Nylon (Nylon). The tensile strength of Bio-new monofilament was equal to Bio-old and the elongation of Bio-new was about 6 % higher than that of Bio-old in wet condition. The physical properties tests were carried out to estimate breaking load and stiffness in dry and wet conditions, respectively. In the results, the breaking load of Nylon netting was the highest whereas the elongation of Bio-new was 1.4 times higher than that of Nylon netting in wet condition. The breaking load of Bio-old netting was about 9.2 % higher than that of Bio-new netting. However, the elongation of the Bio-new netting was about 3% higher than that of Bio-old. The stiffness of the Bio-new compared to Bio-old was improved about 34 % in dry condition and about 32 % in wet condition. The filed experiments of the fishing performance were conducted with three kinds of drift nets with different netting materials in the coastal sea of Jeju. The each experimental drift net made of different materials showed the similar fishing performance. Bio-old drift net yielded less catches of small sized yellow croaker than other drift nets. The netting materials affected the fishing performance and length distribution of catches in the drift nets.

To study the catching efficiency of biodegradable trammel net for swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus), three types (biodegradable, monofilament and multifilament) of trammel nets were used in the field test, and the tests were carried out 16 times with two different mesh sizes (105mm and 160mm) in the Yeonpyeong fishing ground of Korea, 2009~2011. The catching efficiency of three type nets was analyzed by catch in number, catch in weight and average weight per individual of small and large size swimming crab by net types and mesh sizes. Statistical T-test was also carried out to verify the efficiency between the three types of nets. The results are as follows. The catch in number of swimming crab was 24,667 and formed about 81.0% of total catch. Of all swimming crab catch, small swimming crabs with less than 64mm in carapace length which is a prohibited landing size by law formed 48.1%, larger swimming crabs with more than 64mm in carapace length which is a landing size formed 51.9%. In 105mm mesh size trammel net test, the catch share in number of small size swimming crab by biodegradable trammel net was 47.5% in comparison with multifilament trammel net and 74.2% in comparison with monofilament trammel net, so biodegradable trammel net has more protective effects on small size swimming crab than other types of trammel nets. The protective effects for small size swimming crab by biodegradable trammel net was 25.8~52.5% in comparison with other types of trammel nets. The catch share in weight of large size swimming crab by biodegradable trammel net was 98.3% in comparison with multifilament trammel net and 92.3% in comparison with monofilament trammel net, so biodegradable trammel net has a similar catch efficiency to multifilament trammel net. The results of 160mm mesh size trammel net test have shown similar results of 105mm mesh size trammel net test. This study shows that biodegradable trammel net is a more useful fishing gear than multifilament and monofilament trammel net because biodegradable trammel net has lower catch rate than other types of nets in small size swimming crab and similar catch rate than multifilament trammel net which is a well used net by fishermen.

The main purpose of this study is to understand the marketing approaches and strategies that are used to disseminating biodegradable fishing gears and distinguish the cognition and the non-cognition group's attitudes on the product. We used a technology acceptance model for analyzing product attributes and its impacts on fishers' purchase. The result of this research shows that 'perceived usefulness and easiness of use' have positive effect on 'purchase intention,' and then give impacts on 'purchase intention' for the entire respondents. For the cognitive respondents these factors have influence on 'attitude' but they do not affect 'purchase decision.' However, 'perceived usefulness and easiness of use' have much positive impact on 'purchase intention.' In the non-cognition group, the 'perceived intention' and 'company and country of manufacturers' have direct positive effect on 'purchase intention' through 'attitude' and also 'on 'purchase intention.' This research provides some meaningful policy implications on further development and technology marketing of biodegradable fishing gears.

The main purpose of this study is to estimate willingness to pay (WTP) by the general publics, assuming that they pay tax or charge for protecting marine living resources and environment through developing and supplying biodegradable fishing nets. This study employed a contingent valuation method (CVM) which is an econometric method. The survey was conducted by using both double-bounded dichotomous choice and open-ended survey. Tobit model was used for the analysis. The variables included concerns about marine environment and fishing net discarded, sex, age profile, number of family members, educational level and personal disposable income. Annual average WTP per family for the biodegradable fishing net development and supply was estimated at 5,294 won and national WTP amounted to some 84.2 billion won. This includes both of use and non-use value of biodegradable fishing nets.