A COMPANY which develops tracking devices is taking its technology for the commercial fishing industry worldwide and is poised to launch a new division, potentially doubling its workforce.
Succorfish in North Shields has spent two years and around £850,000 – mostly self-funded – working on the hi-tech SC2 system which has just completed successful sea trials in the South West.
The vessel monitoring system (VMS), which was developed with input and a small investment from the Seafish authority, allows fishing boats to accurately monitor their position to within one metre.
It means they can fish closer to protected areas without breaching them and facing heavy fines.
The device uses satellite and mobile phone technology coupled with online tracking software to give real-time positions.
Succorfish commercial director George Henricks said: “It’s also abut the impact on the environment. This is a textbook example of how the fishermen and the environmental lobby can work together.
“It has taken just over two years to develop, it’s been self-funded, and Seafish put a little bit in. We would have loved to have had some help.
“We are a small organisation, but we’ve got a lot of in-house technical ability.”
