Toronto, Canada, July 24, 2012 - Optech was presented with two awards from the Joint Airborne Lidar Bathymetry Technical Center of Expertise (JALBTCX): the Sebastian Sizgoric Technical Achievement Award, and the 532 Award.

The Sebastian Sizgoric Technical Achievement Award is presented annually by JALBTCX in recognition of a major scientific achievement in airborne lidar bathymetry, coastal mapping and charting. The award was conferred upon Optech for the successful development of the CZMIL (Coastal Zone Mapping and Imaging Lidar), which has now commenced survey operations.

In addition, Optech was also presented with the JALBTCX 532 Award, which recognizes cumulative achievements in airborne lidar bathymetry and coastal mapping and charting. In fact, Optech actually won two of the 532 Awards. One recipient is Dr. Viktor Feygels, who has had a long and distinguished international career in airborne lidar and started collaborating with Optech in the mid-1990s before joining the company in 2004. Viktor is currently the Senior Scientist and a key member of the Optech CZMIL team. The second recipient is Dr. Paul LaRocque who joined Optech in 1985 and played a managing role in four generations of the SHOALS airborne lidar bathymeter. Paul is currently the Vice President of Advanced Technology.

Max Elbaz, President of Optech, Inc. said, "Optech is proud to have earned these awards. Recognition from JALBTCX is especially gratifying because they are the pre-eminent authority on airborne lidar bathymetry today. Their 532 award is special because it honors the dedication and commitment that key Optech personnel have demonstrated over the years to advance the field of bathymetry."

For more information about Optech, visit www.optech.ca.