During ground gear monitoring trials in the Irish Sea onboard the FV Strathmore, the CatchCam camera showed exceptional results
“What’s fascinating about it? Visibility. Despite its deployment at 30 fathom (55 metres) depth, the visibility is great, which is uncommon in the Irish Sea. Where the camera is located on the trawl gives great perspective of how the net is sitting on the ground, which is very useful for skippers,” Shaun Doran onboard the Strathmore operating in the north Irish Sea.
Fishermen immediately lose sight of their fishing gear once it’s deployed. However, for Shaun Doran, things have changed: ‘”Just had this on headline looking at the ground gear going over the seabed”, shared the fisherman after using an underwater camera while on a Groundfish Survey expedition.
Skipper Shaun Doran. Photo: Safety Net Technologies
While angled towards the footrope, the CatchCam camera captured remarkable footage at a depth of 30 fathoms (55 metres), a sight uncommon in the Irish Sea. With exceptional visibility and the bright daylight illuminating the tickler chain, the camera provided a clear view of the seabed, offering invaluable insights into the positioning of the net.
“CatchCam was great, the footage also shows the fishing line taking the coal”, shares Shaun, while referring to the black spots in the seabed, visible in the underwater footage.
Setting Up the CatchCam Camera
To record this underwater footage above, Shaun paired his CatchCam camera with its designed Trawl Attachment and strategically mounted on the headline, just 1 fathom deep.
For this specific angle, the camera was pointed to the footrope. The distance from the CatchCam to the bottom is 3-4 fathom.
Quick fact: Although the original footage was shot upside down, the new CatchCam App feature can effortlessly correct this.
Underwater footage of UK waters
With a growing library of underwater footage capture by CatchCam camera, deployed all around the UK and further afield, in places like the Falkland Islands, Bering Sea and Australia. SafetyNet Technology is encouraging their users to share the underwater footage by electing, every month, a ‘Video of the Month’.
Since starting the campaign in November last year, some of these videos are visually captivating, while others provide valuable insights into what is happening in the gear. As is the case for the video shared by Shaun above. You can receive these to your inbox every month, by signing up to their email list here.
CatchCam Camera Trial Giveaway
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CATCHCAM TRIAL GIVEAWAY BY CLICKING HERE
Find CatchCam at the Scottish Skipper Expo
Visit SafetyNet Technologies at the Scottish Skipper Expo from 09-10 May 2024. The team will be available at stand E7 to guide you through the use of the camera for your own fishing needs.
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