Software gives 3D images of seafloor

The 3D images can help anglers understand their fishing grounds better. Photo / Supplied

A new software package that allows boat owners to use their existing electronics package to instantly see high resolution 3D images of the seafloor beneath their boat, is about to be released in New Zealand.

Piscatus 3D, which is distributed throughout New Zealand by Lusty and Blundell, will first be on show at the Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show in just over two weeks.

According to Lusty and Blundell's Cameron Burch, Piscatus 3D is able to accept data from virtually any brand of electronics, through a standard NMEA connection.

It then takes the data from the GPS/sounder units and develops, in real time, a highly detailed, 3D profile of the seabed. "Whether you're into big game, recreational or commercial fishing, this software enables you to gain an intricate 3D understanding of the seafloor," says Burch.

"With Piscatus 3D, boat owners and skippers can develop a much deeper understanding of their favourite fishing grounds. They can also quickly enhance their knowledge of new areas with the vivid and highly accurate 3D seafloor picture that Piscatus 3D delivers."

Burch says Piscatus 3D is also incredibly easy to use. "The package comes complete with a USB gateway," he says. "This enables the reconfigured data ... to be fed into a laptop or PC via a USB port."