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BioBase LLC and Echoview Software Partner to Launch EcoFish: A Game-Changing Fish Mapping Layer

2025-01-17

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BioBase LLC and Echoview Software Partner to Launch EcoFish: A Game-Changing Fish Mapping Layer

Nashville, TN USA — January 17th 2025 — BioBase LLC, a leader in cloud-based automated aquatic habitat mapping, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Echoview Software Pty Ltd, experts in hydroacoustic science and software. In early 2025, BioBase is set to launch EcoFish: an innovative fish data and mapping layer generated by Echoview and seamlessly integrated into BioBase’s platform.

EcoFish will provide users with unprecedented insights into the location and number of fish in waterbodies mapped using Lowrance® and Simrad® sonars. Leveraging Echoview’s comprehensive and trusted data processing capabilities, EcoFish will offer valuable tools for fisheries management, research, and conservation.

“Our collaboration with Echoview represents a significant leap forward in our mission to democratize the process of creating powerful datasets and maps of aquatic environments,” said Ray Valley, President of BioBase. “We’ve long recognized that to take BioBase to the next level and enable better fisheries monitoring and conservation, fish need to be included in the suite of map layers BioBase creates. Our partnership with Echoview gets us there.”

Echoview’s expertise in processing and visualizing sonar data is the cornerstone of EcoFish’s capabilities. By integrating this technology into the BioBase platform, users will benefit from:

  • Fish Count Data: High-resolution fish distribution maps and data exports that provide near real-time insights.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive, turnkey tools designed for ease of use by both experts and non-specialists.
  • Automated Reports: Data summaries that give you basic statistics and charts of the number, location, and depth of fish.

“We’re thrilled to partner with BioBase to bring EcoFish to life,” said Brett Merritt, CEO of Echoview Software. “This collaboration aligns with our vision of increasing the accessibility and usage of active acoustic data across a wide range of sectors, budgets, and experience. We expect that EcoFish will be used to inform sustainable management decisions for aquatic ecosystems by offering a way to quickly and easily extract valuable information about organisms in their survey data.”

EcoFish will be officially launched in early 2025, with demonstrations and early access opportunities available. To receive updates follow us at biobasemaps.com, our blog, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, or X

About BioBase LLC. BioBase (biobasemaps.com) is the only commercial cloud platform specifically focused on automating the processing and map creation from off-the-shelf sonars. Through automation and cloud processing, BioBase enables the freshwater and coastal science professionals to focus their efforts on aquatic resource conservation and not making a map.

About Echoview Software. Echoview Software (echoview.com) provides industry-leading software and expertise in hydroacoustic data processing. Our flagship product, Echoview®, facilitates echosounder and sonar data analysis for fine-scale behavioral observations, ecosystem-level monitoring, stock assessments, ecological research, and more. Echoview has been used in more than 70 countries by governments, scientists, commercial fishing companies, environmental consultants and non-government organizations for 30 years, supporting the understanding and sustainable use of aquatic resources.

 

For media inquiries, please contact:

Ray Valley
President, BioBase LLC
ray.valley@biobasemaps.com
(+1) 651-204-0640

Changes to BioBasemaps.com Sign-Up and Sign-In Process

As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance security and improve user experience, BioBasemaps.com will be updating its sign-up and sign-in process. These changes took effect on October 22nd, 2024. Existine customers should follow the steps outlined here to log in and merge their trips/merges into the new accounts.

Tips and Tricks – Optimizing GPS Heading for Accurate Data and Side-Scan Imagery

Optimizing GPS Heading for Accurate Data

“Discover how the correct heading of your portable GPS puck in the BioBase portable kit can dramatically impact the accuracy of your maps and data outcomes. In this tutorial, we guide you through the importance of proper alignment and demonstrate the effects of incorrect positioning on your aquatic habitat maps. Perfect for aquatic habitat managers and anyone using the BioBase portable kit, this video ensures you get the most precise data from your GPS setup. Watch now to optimize your mapping accuracy!”

For more tips and tricks or how to use BioBase visit our support resources page, or other tips and tricks like Tips and Tricks – Upload Trips Remotely

 

Mapping Is Managing Part 2 : Water Resource Management

Mapping is Managing Part 2: Water Resource Management

Continuing our exploration in the “Mapping is Managing” series, we turn our attention to the the pricelessness of freshwater and the pivotal role mapping plays in ensuring its effective management.

Reservoirs and Conduits of Freshwater

Lakes and other natural and artificial waterways, beyond their scenic beauty and ecological importance, function as vital reservoirs of freshwater. Their significance extends far beyond providing postcard-perfect landscapes; they are lifelines for communities, supporting diverse needs such as drinking water, irrigation, and industrial processes. The challenge lies in managing this precious resource efficiently. The Central Arizona Project demonstrates a perfect example of how rapid mapping with BioBase technology helps deliver life-blood water to a city in the desert of Arizona

Continue reading “Mapping Is Managing Part 2 : Water Resource Management”

Mapping Is Managing Series Part 1: The Power of BioBase

Mapping is Managing: The Power of BioBase in Environmental Stewardship

At the heart of environmental conservation lies the principle that effective management starts with accurate mapping. BioBase is at the forefront of this movement, providing cutting-edge solutions for various ecological challenges. Let’s dive into the critical use cases of BioBase.

Continue reading “Mapping Is Managing Series Part 1: The Power of BioBase”

Tips and Tricks – Upload Trips Remotely

There was a company Back in the Day whose slogan that went something like “We don’t make a lot of the products you buy, we make them better.” Well, same goes for BioBase. For instance, now web connectivity is broader, stronger, faster, cheaper and accessing sites remotely is now easier than ever. Your phone might be more powerful than your laptop. You can stream GB’s of movies on your $50/mo cell phone plan compared with 10 years ago when your plan was $200/mo with 1 GB of shared data and 50min of talk and text. What does this have to do with Mapping and BioBase? Well, get yourself a $10 USB Micro-C/SD Card adapter (or see us at our next tradeshow for a piece of swag that’s actually useful!). Stick the doohicky in your phone, log into BioBase on your phone’s browser and upload your BioBase trip while still on the water. If you have the premium Habitat+ plan with priority processing, your trip will likely be done processing in 20min and you can check to see if you got the coverage you needed or if you need to go patch the map up in a few places. Better to do it on the water, then drive hours back to the office to upload to later learn you need to return to fill in the gaps. BioBase’s Product Expert Ray Valley shows you how to upload remotely.

For more tips and tricks look for the Tips and Tricks logo on the blog or see our most recent hypsometric curve tips and tricks. Tips and Tricks: Hypsometric Curve Walkthrough

 

Customize your BioBase map with our GIS Services

BioBase generates great detailed maps of aquatic habitat on the fly, but did you know that we can generate a professional, publication quality map for your project or clients? Further, if available we can add other GIS layers and create custom maps like Sediment Thickness. Our turnaround time is freaky fast too! Check out the gallery of images below. You can learn more about it and fill out a purchase request at https://www.biobasemaps.com/Solutions/GisServices or just contact us

Continue reading “Customize your BioBase map with our GIS Services”

Fit for Purpose: results from alternative sonar mapping platforms

Ray Valley(a) and Eli Kersh(b)

(a) BioBase Product Expert and Aquatic Biologist

(b) BioBase Ambassador, Certified Lake Manager, and President of LakeTech Inc.

The term “Fit for Purpose” has recently become a popular term in our circles in the context of mapping and surveying water bodies, and it refers to utilizing the appropriate equipment, methods, and budget for the task at hand.

This principle acknowledges that one type of equipment and method may not be suitable for every scenario. For instance, whether you’re assessing the storage volume of municipal stormwater ponds or maintaining a river channel for commercial navigation, the required level of accuracy will and should be different. While high accuracy and precision may be crucial for certain projects, it might not be necessary for others.

Continue reading “Fit for Purpose: results from alternative sonar mapping platforms”

BioBase is Going Independent!

April 18th 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The automated cloud mapping platform for waterbodies, BioBase (biobasemaps.com), has recently undergone a change in ownership. Formerly under the Navico Group, a division of the Brunswick Corporation, BioBase has now been acquired by an independent group of investors. In the short term, users can expect minimal changes to the platform, and the development team will continue its operations from St. Paul, MN, USA.

Aquatic resource professionals have the option to subscribe to various plans and utilize the platform to process Lowrance® or Simrad® Sonar Logs in the cloud, generating detailed aquatic maps and GIS datasets. Looking ahead, this transition is expected to pave the way for enhancements in the platform’s capabilities and a quicker development cycle. These enhancements will include the ability to process sonar files of multiple formats and create additional map and data layers valuable to water and fisheries professionals.

“The team is enthusiastic about this new chapter and is eager to solidify BioBase as the premier solution for automated mapping derived from sonar files. Whether it’s mapping depth, aquatic vegetation, or bottom composition, we’re committed to delivering high value maps and datasets with minimal effort. This allows aquatic and fisheries professionals to focus on the important work of aquatic management and conservation and not making a map” stated BioBase President and Product Expert, Ray Valley.

Stay informed about important updates by following us here on this blog, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram. For inquiries, please reach out to us at info@biobasemaps.com.

BioBase Feature Alert: Bulk Export Tools

As BioBase has grown through the years, Natural Resource Agencies, Researchers, and Lake Managers have mapped millions of acres of water and aquatic habitats benefitting conservation. But Million’s of acres means millions of files and terabytes of data. BioBase is a great solution for storing, browsing, and analyzing these data, but until now users did not have a way to bulk export processed files. The initial release of the feature will allow users to bulk export .csv data files, Google Earth .kmz for all layers, and Vegetation Analysis Reports from January 1st 2018 through their most recently uploaded trip/merge for all trips and merges within a waterbody for a user or organization. It’s important to note that already existing export features on a trip by trip basis within the trip viewer (e.g., Tools – Export Data) has not changed.  The export links and data will remain active and available for 30 days. After 30 days, exports will be deleted from BioBase servers and users will need to make another request if they wish to download the files again at a later date.

Feature extracts a .zip file with the Lake Name, a Waterbody ID, and the date YYYYMMDD of the request. Contents in the zip file include other zip files and include sonar file names, Trip ID’s, and other information that should be intuitive for users

 

 

 

 

 

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