 |
| Screen shot of the new Succorfish VMS system as it appears in a web browser. |
 |
| Succorfish’s new hi-tech global vessel monitoring system, the SC2, is low cost and easy to install and can be seen to the right of the light on the wheel-house. |
There will be an Inshore VMS Demonstration Event held at Brixham Fishmarket on Thurs 27th Oct 2011. The purpose is to show the new advanced SC2 technology and vessel monitoring system that have been developed and tested as part of the Defra funded Inshore VMS project (MF1214). The Project trialled new mobile phone communication technology to address issues of monitoring and controlling access to Inshore Marine Protected Areas. All interested parties including individual commercial fishermen can learn more about the technology and see for themselves how it works. The event will be very hands on with plenty of opportunities to see the VMS working in real time and a participating fishing vessel will be giving tours whilst demonstrating the technology. The Event will also see the official launch of the Graphical User Interface (GUI), a bespoke web site developed to securely manage personal data in a format that will ultimately improve efficiency. We hope to attract all interested groups from inside and outside the UK.
The aim on the day is to bring interested parties together to learn more about the technology and see for themselves how it works. The Event is intended to be very hands on with plenty of opportunities to “touch and feel” the technology and to see it working in real life. A participating fishing vessel will be on hand and guided tours of the vessel and the technology will be available along with onshore demonstrations of the technology. The Event will also see the official launch of the Graphical User Interface (GUI), a bespoke web site developed to present and manage the gathered data to interested parties in a format that will ultimately make their jobs easier.
Itinerary
11.00 Welcome followed by presentation
1. The concept and motivation behind the project (Gus Caslake (Seafish) & Tom Rossiter – 15 Mins)
2. A walk through of the technology (Richard Hopper & George Hendricks (Succorfish) – 15 Mins)
3. Analysis of the data collected (Koen Vanstaen (CEFAS) – 15 Mins)
4. The Conservation perspective (TBC (Natural England) – 15 Mins)
5. The manager’s perspective (Neil Wellum (MMO) – 15 Mins)
6. The fisherman’s perspective (Nick Prust (SWIFA) – 15 Mins)
7. Questions
Contact Richard Caslake at Seafish on 01736 362625 or e-mail r_caslake@seafish.co.uk
Commercial fishermen could benefit from this new hi-tech but low cost global tracking device that is being launched to improve the way the industry operates. Succorfish, has designed and developed a highly advanced vessel monitoring system (VMS); the SC2, specifically for the marine and fishing industries and following a series of successful trials across the South West of England, it is now to be rolled out worldwide.
The VMS has been developed alongside industry authority, Seafish, and will allow vessels to accurately map and monitor their position using dual GPRS/GSM software to within one metre, will provide closer access to marine protected areas such as Lyme Bay whilst avoiding hefty fines previously incurred when breached, and improve and increase overall inshore fishing activity.
The low cost device complies with current UK fishing laws and uses real time satellite and mobile phone technology, as well as online tracking software, to monitor and record the course and position of vessels via up-to-the-minute reporting. Information is then relayed back to a password protected website where users can view their personal data through a graphical user interface.
And, with new EU legislation being introduced in 2012 that will force all 12m-15m vessels to have monitoring systems with satellite reporting, the SC2 is now being regarded as the cost effective solution to a worldwide fishing industry problem. Additionally, for vessels 15m and over, the product is also e-log ready and directly interfaces with a specialist, state-of-the-art catch reporting software system via a global satellite network. George Henricks, Commercial Director of Succorfish commented, “We have worked very closely with industry representatives and listened long and hard to all of the stakeholders who have participated in the inshore VMS trial. All of those parties have a common goal in that they want to see the long-term security of both the marine environment and the livelihoods of the fishermen. Therefore, by designing and developing a product like the SC2, we can directly support the industry and make huge strides towards achieving its goal.”
The SC2 has been developed in conjunction with Seafish and CEFAS following a 12 months pilot project to monitor the UK’s inshore fishing activity. It has been funded by Defra as part of its remit to undertake economic and social research in the marine environment and overseen by representatives from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), NaturalEngland, Devon Sea Fisheries Committee, the South West Inshore Fishermen’s Association and the UK Marine Protected Areas Coalition Group.
Nick Prust, owner of one of the vessels that took part in the trials and Chairman of the South West Inshore Fisheries Association added, “This is the solution that the industry has been looking for and the system will be a real asset to fisherman regardless of their fishing methods. It will give us continued access to fishing grounds with spatial and temporal restrictions whilst allowing us to co-exist alongside newly proposed marine protected areas.”
Succorfish is an industry leader in the design, development and manufacture of bespoke, cost effective tracking and asset management solutions for the marine industry. See www.succorfish.com for details.
If you would like to speak directly to George Henricks, Succorfish Commercial Director, please call 07545 146343 or george@succorfish.com
