NASA, the Fisherman’s Friend

About this technology

Overview

NASA partnered with Digital Media, Inc on the bayous of Mississippi and Louisiana to use satellite data to create a marine information system, a space-age fish finder. DMI collects satellite information about water surface temperature, temperature gradients, water clarity, and depth, then uses a mathematical algorithm originally developed and tested by the National Marine Fisheries Service that accurately identifies conditions where bait fish are likely to congregate. The service provides access to 24-hour images and text for marine information. The images are available via Internet in full color or in black and white for facsimile transmission, and a fisherman or boat captain can have a fishing map sent directly to the deck of his boat.