Over the last 12 years, Ocean Presence Technologies has expanded the underwater camera system originally developed by the Manta Network. This sysyem is capable of being viewed and controlled over the Internet and permits continuous monitoring of underwater sites without the influence of divers. Biologists around the world will be able to access cameras as part of their work to understand and conserve our oceans.

"Telepresence" is the experience of being fully present at a live, real world location at a distance from one's own physical location. Someone experiencing telepresence would therefore be able to behave, and receive stimuli, as though at the remote site. This new technology will dramatically increase our ability to educate people on need for ocean conservation.

Underwater cameras deployed in the ocean or in aquariums can be made available to educational organization including schools, aquariums and exploratoriums. By making this technology available at a reasonable price, OPT hopes to see live cameras situated in thousands of locations around the globe. Although the primary mission is to manufacture and sell complete underwater camera systems, OPT hopes through this effort, to establish a telepresence network by which children, educators, government officials and the general public become aware of the need to protect the oceans of the world.

Over the last 16 years we have established a client base that includes major companies and organizations and spans four oceans around the world:

Management

Ocean Presence Technologies (OPT), Santa Cruz, California, is owned and managed by Robert Aston. He has extensive experience in computer hardware, graphics, video, networking, software design and management. He has been an underwater photographer, videographer and scuba diver for more than 30 years. Mr. Aston is also the Executive Director of the Manta Network, a 501(c)(3) non-profit. In 2003 his first environmental article about manta rays was published in Asian Diver and World Environment magazines, entitled "Ray of Hope." Formal efforts begin to form the non-profit began soon thereafter.

The Manta Network was created as an environmental organization separate from On-the-Edge Magazine (also founded by Mr. Aston). The manta website was designed to include several research and educational programs to increase manta awareness, including the addition of continuous underwater video monitoring systems.