Can you see fish with thermal cameras?

Thermal imaging technology detects and visualizes the heat signatures emitted by objects and organisms. While thermal imaging can be useful for various applications, it has limitations when it comes to seeing fish underwater. Here are a few factors to consider:

• Water Absorption: Water is known to absorb thermal energy, including infrared radiation that thermal imaging relies on. As a result, a thermal camera struggle to penetrate water, and the image quality is significantly reduced. The thermal contrast and resolution underwater are generally poor, making it challenging to detect small or subtle heat signatures like those of fish.
• Heat Dissipation: Fish are cold-blooded creatures, meaning their body temperature is typically close to that of the surrounding water. Their heat signatures are not significantly different from the water temperature, making them harder to detect with thermal imaging.
• Environmental Factors: Water environments are dynamic, with currents, reflections, and other disturbances affecting the thermal patterns and making it more challenging to identify fish accurately.
• Depth and Distance: The effectiveness of thermal imaging decreases with increasing depth and distance. The thermal energy emitted by fish is further attenuated and dispersed as the distance between the camera and the fish increases.

While thermal imaging is not well-suited for directly observing fish underwater, other technologies like sonar, underwater cameras, and fish finders are commonly used for locating and visualizing fish in aquatic environments. These tools utilize sound waves, high-resolution cameras, and other specialized mechanisms to detect and display fish activity.

It's important to note that specific advancements in underwater thermal imaging technology may exist, but they are typically designed for specialized research or industrial purposes rather than recreational or casual observation of fish in natural environments.

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