The industry's recognized authority for design, engineering and application of equipment and services in the global ocean community
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www.sea-technology.com October 2015 / st 41 coverage from 3 mi. up to 15, even possibly 30, mi. offshore in optimum weather conditions. Catch App Finding an equal, integrated solu- tion for fshermen, marine authorities and conservationists is essential for fu- ture sustainability and trust-building. As pressure grows from both within the industry and external organiza- tions to fnd a global solution to pro- tecting the marine environment, there must also be a means of safeguarding the livelihoods of fshermen world- wide. Innovations in equipment and fshing techniques have resulted in an ever-evolving industry, and the cur- rent status of commercial fsheries is far removed from the small-scale, subsistence fsheries that were once common. Technology has become essential, especially in the age of the smartphone. Downloadable app technology such as Catch App provides worldwide commercial fshermen with a future- proof means of recording fshing ac- tivity as it occurs and meets a crucial need for improved data collection. It is instant, accessible to all, and al- lows users to securely log catch entries online, compare gear, bait and season performance, and calculate catch per unit effort, while also providing critical fsheries and environmental data for ef- fective marine management. Add to this traceability and a big shift in consumer attitudes for transpar- ency within the food industry. Major food retailers are now placing great emphasis on promoting traceability back to the source, so modern technol- ogy again plays a key role. Catch App allows instant catch reporting prior to landing and the ability to manage quo- tas through real-time reporting. Fisher- men can also confgure the system to meet local parameters and legal re- porting requirements. Fishermen are the key to changing, implementing and improving data col- lection methods for the beneft of the whole industry and the wider social community, so technology must work for them. Our frsthand experience of the industry and working relationships with fshermen have enabled us to provide a future-proof, online solution that eliminates problems and concerns voiced by those working on the front line. Catch App's format allows data to be submitted as soon as they are re- corded, which frees up valuable fsh- ing time. Fishermen can log on and securely store personal activity data and have access to it whenever they wish. This has never been possible be- fore. It's a major step forward for the industry, and its implementation could become the solution for effective data collection by fshermen and marine authorities in the future. Further product developments by SuccorfshM2M are in the pipeline for the commercial fshing industry, as well as development of new subsea technologies for marine, fsheries and tactical/defense industries, including commercial, scientifc and strategic applications. ST Tom Rossiter is the head of marine at Suc- corfshM2M. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience, having worked at the highest level for Cefas, the seaf- ish industry authority, as well as leading seafood producers within the U.K. He drives the company's growth and product development within the global marine industry, including technology capability, vessel tracking and data communication solutions within the global fsheries sector. SuccorfshM2M enables marine tracking via computers, tablets and smartphones.