Cameras using VideotecÂ’s NXM housing keep watch on the underwater ecosystem of Okinawa, Japan
Okinawa is the largest island in the Ryūkyū archipelago of Southern Japan. It is particularly notable for its stunning coral reefs, emerald seas, white beaches and its rich world of plush forests which are home to plants and animals that are found nowhere else on Earth.
It is a unique natural paradise and an exceptional holiday destination for eco-tourists or for those who love underwater activities.
Unfortunately, the continual decline of the worldÂ’s coral reefs is a serious environmental problem and one which is particularly felt on the island of Okinawa. Included in the various major environmental impacts on the coralÂ’s delicate ecosystem there is erosion caused by natural events, such as typhoons and increased soil runoff. However, above all else, it is the damaged caused by human activity that is having the greatest effect: pollution, the dumping of chemical waste, environmental reclamation, the illegal harvesting of coral, fishing and excessive tourist exploitation.
There are biologists who are engaged in managing activities aimed at protecting and conserving this precious marine resource. They are constantly studying solutions which will ensure environmental protection by halting the gradual deterioration of the coral reefs.
In order to instantly be able to identify any problems with, or changes in, the balance of the marine biosphere, it has proved crucial to constantly monitor the seabed. To this end, Okinawa experts have recently installed a mobile underwater filming system. It is a system that uses cameras protected by VideotecÂ’s specialist NXM housing.
This robust housing has been chosen for its water-tight properties and its extreme resistance to environmental corrosion. In fact, its IP68 rating means the camera can be submerged up to 50m and is still protected from water or moisture getting in. As well as this, the material out of which the housing is made, electro-polished AISI316L stainless-steel, means that it has outstanding resistance to salt corrosion caused by seawater.
NXM housing proved to be the ideal solution to getting this underwater mobile camera up and running. It helps keep the camera working at peak performance, providing clear and constant images of the Okinawa seabed.
