New Feature Expected to Help Worldwide Fishermen Improve Catch Rates

Orbital Imaging Corporation
(ORBIMAGE) announced the launch of a new feature related to its world renowned
SeaStar(SM) Fisheries Information Service. Sub-Surface Temperature
Information is now available to all subscribers of ORBIMAGE’s SeaStar(SM)
Service as an additional component to support the analysis of probable fishing
grounds. ORBIMAGE’s SeaStar(SM) Service is used to support fishing operations
for tuna and swordfish as well as other surface dwelling fish such as
mackerel, sardines, anchovy, and herring.

The new Sub-Surface Temperature information feature is offered at two
depths, 50 meters and 150 meters, and is available worldwide. This new
information will further assist long liners and purse seiners to identify the
best regions for locating tuna and other species when used in conjunction with
other surface information already provided with ORBIMAGE’s SeaStar(SM) Service
such as plankton concentrations (derived from ORBIMAGE’s OrbView-2 “SeaWiFS”
satellite), surface currents, sea surface temperatures, sea surface height and
weather information. These information layers are sent as data files by email
to each fishing vessel where they are viewed and analyzed in the form of maps
using ORBIMAGE’s OrbMap(TM) software.

Sub-Surface Temperature information is determined by modeling the sub-
surface thermal changes that would cause the satellite-observed changes in Sea
Surface Temperature and Sea Surface Height. The predicted temperature
distributions are calibrated with in-situ observations and historical records,
as well as iterative techniques that help increase their accuracy.

“Our satellite-derived oceanographic information has already greatly
enhanced the fisherman’s ability to interpret surface patterns to find fish,”
says Greg Hammann, Director of Product Development, “but the Sub-Surface
Temperature information helps to interpret ocean patterns beneath the surface
that will improve catches even further by showing vertical patterns that
affect fish distribution.”

“Our subscribers to the SeaStar Service are very excited to receive this
leading edge information product,” adds Chris Wilson, Director of Sales and
Marketing. “The feedback we receive from the boat captains is that it is an
important, and even critical, component to their fishing operations.”

About ORBIMAGE:

ORBIMAGE is a global provider of Earth imagery products and services, and
currently operates the OrbView-2 ocean and land multispectral imaging
satellite (launched in 1997), and a worldwide integrated image receiving,
processing and distribution network. Currently under development, ORBIMAGE’s
OrbView-3 satellite will offer one-meter panchromatic and four-meter
multispectral digital imagery, and is planned for launch in 2002. ORBIMAGE
offers the SeaStar(SM) Fisheries Information Service, which provides
oceanographic maps derived from OrbView-2 satellite imagery of the world’s
oceans to commercial fishing customers worldwide.

More information about ORBIMAGE and the SeaStar(SM) Fisheries Information
Service can be found at http://www.orbimage.com .