The Fishackathon is a global annual event that uses technology to help address sustainable fishing challenges that are threatening oceans and marine life.
Now in its’ third year, the event is occurring simultaneously in over 40 cities worldwide from 22-24 April. It calls on coders, designers, creatives, architects, product managers, project managers, oceanographers, fishers, ichthyologist, phycologist, algologist, and beach combers from all around the world to come together to create new applications and tools for use on mobile phones, devices, and other end-solutions, which can help fishers work smarter and more safely in sustainable fishing.
The volunteer specialists are being asked to develop a solution which addresses one of the four areas which are challenging fisheries and oceans today: Fisheries Management, Conservation, Aquaculture and Traceability.
Coders are presented with nine problem statements, which they set about solving over the course of a weekend. The event begins on Friday 22 at The Economist Headquarters, with the results judged on Sunday 24 April.
Last year’s winner, Know Fish, provided a mobile app to help Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated (IUU) investigators and port inspectors by providing easy access to laws, regulations, maps and species — all based on a user’s detected location.
Two of the problem statements open to coders at this year’s Fishackathon were devised by members of the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) and look at the issue of ghost fishing gear. World Animal Protection, founder member of the GGGI, facilitated the development of the statements and will be on hand at events in North America and London to support coders alongside members of the GGGI.
UK campaigns manager at World Animal Protection, Christina Dixon, said, “World Animal Protection has identified ‘ghost gear’ as a major threat to ocean life and we know coders can help create solutions to bust these ghosts haunting our oceans for good. People everywhere understand the value of protecting our wildlife and British people specifically understand how protecting ocean life has an impact on the lives of our maritime communities.”
Coders who wish to sign up for the event can do so here.
