STR SeaSpyder Explores IFCA Habitats

Great Yarmouth based marine technology experts Subsea Technology and Rentals (STR) announced the supply of 2 SeaSpyder underwater camera systems to the Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (AIFCA), for use by its ten individual statutory organisations.

The delivery of SeaSpyder underwater camera systems and deployment solution to the IFCAs is to improve their ability to gather information on seabed habitats and species across England’s inshore waters. This work is to support Defra’s ambitious target of achieving a well-managed network of marine protected sites by 2016.

The SeaSpyder underwater drop camera system is part of a family of field proven underwater camera systems manufactured by STR for the marine survey and environmental communities. The SeaSpyder is designed for operation in shallow-medium water depths with the standard system having a working depth range of 500m. For applications demanding a deeper rating, a “telemetry” model is offered which operates over longer cable lengths for operation down to 1000m. Both models are fitted with a next generation digital SLR camera offering high resolution digital stills and HD video for the highest imagery detail. The high specification digital SLR camera offers an impressive 18.0 mega pixels resolution and both manual and automatic focus for achieving the sharpest images. The captured digital stills are framed with the aid of a dedicated real-time video camera and images are transferred “on the fly” to the topside for real-time review.

Neil Jackson, sales and operations manager at STR, said: “In recent times STR has made significant investments in its research and development capability, with key focus on our underwater camera technology. The IFCA’s commitment to purchase 2 new SeaSpyder camera systems is a testament of our capabilities.”

Sam Davis at Cornwall IFCA which has already started to use the SeaSpyder dropframe system, said: “IFCAs are responsible for managing a sustainable marine environment and inshore fisheries for the benefit of all in the inshore marine zone. After a number of successful trials of the SeaSpyder camera system, the decision to purchase was easy. We are looking forward to further exploring the already impressive capabilities of SeaSpyder to further our knowledge of the environment within our areas, and to achieve a sound, fair and effective management of these protected sites.”