FIVE monofilament longline reels have been sold by Meridian Technologies to one fishing company in Namibia for catching tuna. Now, the company is manufacturing a reel for smaller liners.

Marine Corporation has put the Meridian reels aboard Tangeni Bay, Dolphin Bay, Meob Bay, Elenga Bay and Blomhia Bay , according to Meridian's Tony Bradfield.

While the reels have a published capacity of 63 nautical miles of 3.5 mm monoline, Tony Bradfield claims that up to 70 nautical miles can be stored.

Meridian's reel includes a high tensile steel core which, he says, enables the reel to be loaded with line up to a higher pressure.

"One hundred layers of mono on the core creates incredible pressures - that is why we use high-tensile steel, " says Tony Bradfield.

He fits an efficient US-made level winding system made of stainless steel and a braking system which contains the hydraulic pressure in the motor rather than pressuring the whole hydraulic system.

Now, Meridian tells FNI that its smaller reel will be available from this month and it will suit vessels of 12 metres upwards.

The reel will hold 14 miles of 3.5 mm diameter monofilament longline, or 13 nautical miles of 3.6 mm longline, but it is not designed for use with a line setter.

MERIDIAN Technologies' new, smaller, Megaline surface longline reel (above) due out this month "is designed specifically for mid-water tuna and swordfish longline fisheries."

The manufacturer says that the radial piston hydraulic motor "provides only the torque to turn the reel and it is not subjected to any of the radial loads required to support the weight of the reel and the line.

"Robust spherical roller bearings support the main shaft of the reel at each end, reducing the likelihood of any misalignment.

"These self-aligning bearings are secured to the main shaft with taper-lock sleeves, facilitating the easy replacement of a bearing.

"The core is high tensile ST52; the cheeks, the webs and the level wind mechanism are all constructed from stainless steel."

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New mono reel for small liners