Digital agency develops Marine Survey Technology
Fast-growing digital agency Deep Blue Sky in Bath is using its skills to help a marine surveying company develop mobile phone applications for their customers.
The company has recently launched MarineLife – an iPhone and iPad application which has been developed for Marine Ecological Surveys (MES) based in central Bath.
Having already been downloaded over 6,000 times, MarineLife is an online evolving resource open for use by the marine science community and those scientists involved in the planning and implementation of aggregate licenses.
The reference application allows users to quickly access detailed information on sea life, including crustaceans, fish and molluscs, effectively removing the need to take extensive reference books on expeditions.
In order to develop a comprehensive application the team at Deep Blue Sky had to collate data from a variety of sources which was subsequently standardised for the application. The result is an easy to use, comprehensive application which gives marine surveyors quick access to a vast amount of information.
MarineLife was unveiled by representatives of MES and Deep Blue Sky at the Royal Society in the summer and has already received industry acclaim.
Jennifer Gallyot, a taxonomist at MES said, "The MarineLife app is an easy to use, interactive tool that aids a range of marine lovers; from the occasional rock-pooler to the professional biologist.
“The menu function is a quick way to search for species, the photos are of a high quality and searches are tailored to individual needs; exploring genus, vulnerability, sediment type and traits.
“It has become a useful marketing tool for us, especially whilst explaining to anyone who shows an interest in our company and the work that we do. We are thrilled with the outcome and hope that marine lovers all over the world will enjoy one of the only marine information apps available."
Dr Lindsay Jane Seiderer, Managing Director at MES added, "The MarineLife application is the culmination of a collaborative applied research project. MES is delighted to be able to make this ecological sensitivity information accessible to both professional biologists and managers of marine infrastructure projects."
Jim Morrison, MD at Deep Blue Sky said, “We’re really proud to have developed another practical application which will prove to be a useful resource for our client.
“MarineLife was an interesting challenge especially given the breadth and volume of data that we collated and processed. The end result means that this data is now easy to access at the touch of a button and it will prove to be a useful, practical and valuable resource for MES and the thousands of users who have downloaded the application”
