Commercial fishermen need to sustain and boost their livelihoods and the SC2 will allow them to do so legally whilst improving overall fishing methods

Government Praise for Groundbreaking Succorfish Tracking Device

Environment Secretary, Caroline Spelman, and Fisheries Minister, Richard Benyon, have hailed a new hi-tech vessel monitoring system that has been designed by British company Succorfish, as ‘groundbreaking’ in a bid to improve commercial fishing whilst saving marine protected areas.

Government officials visiting local fishermen trialling the device in Lyme Bay, Dorset, saw first hand how Succorfish’s SC2 global tracking system can allow fishermen to monitor their position to within one metre worldwide without breaching protected zones which would otherwise endanger marine habitats and damage the seabed.

Caroline Spelman Environment Secretary

Trials funded by Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and carried out by the MMO (Marine Management Organisation) have shown how fishermen can prove exactly where their vessel is operating minute by minute via satellite technology, a requirement being introduced under EU legislation in January 2012.

This will allow them to work alongside environmental groups such as Natural England to potentially open up ‘closed waters’ in sensitive areas.

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman commented, “This groundbreaking equipment proves just how innovative the UK fishing industry is. By embracing new technology, it shows that the sector is ready and able to respond positively to the need to protect the marine environment while continuing to make a living from the sea.”

Richard Benyon Fisheries Minister

Following the Marine Management Organisation’s evaluation of this trial, expected in Spring 2012, the Government hopes that fishermen around the country will be able to adopt this new technology to help ensure that fishing can continue without damaging sensitive marine habitats.

George Henricks, Commercial Director of Succorfish which developed the SC2 system added, “In essence, we are bringing together three parties within one industry and giving them one solution to a major problem, not just here in the UK but worldwide. Commercial fishermen need to sustain and boost their livelihoods and the SC2 will allow them to do so legally whilst improving overall fishing methods.

“Similarly, marine authorities and environmental groups need to monitor and protect vast areas of water from damage or overfishing and must have a means of doing so effectively and within EU guidelines. The SC2 will allow them to work alongside commercial fishermen to gather invaluable fishing and environmental data to support a sustainable fishing policy whilst controlling fishing grounds from illegal practices. “It is a bespoke, low cost device designed specifically for the marine industry and we are delighted with the response from all those involved.”

Succorfish Managing Director, Richard Hooper and Commercial Director, George Henricks

Succorfish has worked closely with UK industry authorities, Seafish (Sea Fish Industry Authority), and Cefas (Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Research), and received funding from Defra as part of its remit to undertake economic and social research in the marine environment, to design and develop the SC2. It was recently launched in front of local fishing administrations, naval enforcement representatives, government bodies and members of regional fishermens’ associations.

Chairman of the South West Inshore Fisheries Association and vessel owner, Nick Prust, is one of many commercial fishermen now hailing the system as a possible answer to a worldwide industry problem. He explained, “Fishermen, in general, are working in a tough and often challenging environment therefore when a product becomes integral to the way that you operate, regardless of your methods, it makes a huge difference.

“Having taken part in the trials, it has proved to give much greater access to fishing grounds and report back instantly. It solves a huge problem for the industry.”

Use the Succorfish online gateway to quickly and easily control how and when location data is captured, and who it is reported to

The SC2 uses real time satellite and mobile phone technology, as well as online tracking software to relay data back to a password protected website. For vessels 15 metres and over, it is also e-log ready and directly interfaces with a specialist, state-of-the-art catch reporting software system via a global satellite network.

About Succorfish

Succorfish is an industry leader in the design, development and manufacture of bespoke, cost effective tracking and asset management solutions.

The company’s unique and easy-to-use ‘fit and forget’ tracking systems are preferred by industry experts and private customers and include cutting edge GPS/ satellite technology that accurately locates mobile assets to within two metres anywhere in the world.

Succorfish offers the ultimate reliability and peace of mind for clients operating within diverse industries from specialist military and defence to leisure and recreation. All products and software can be tailored to meet specific asset requirements, regardless of sector or use.

Source: Succorfish

Margaret E.L. Stacey
Editor Companies and Products
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

Address:	The Barracks Building, Clifford's Fort, Fish Quay, North Shields
City:	Tyne & Wear
State/ZIP:	(NE30 1JE)
Country:	United Kingdom
Phone:	+44 191 447 6883
E-Mail:	[email protected]
More about: