The App that got fishermen hooked.
- Iman Ayesha
- Sep 15, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 28, 2023
The MS Swaminathan Research Foundation based in India in partnership with Qualcomm has developed an android app for local fisherman that provides information on weather and ocean conditions up to 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) from shore, including disaster alerts, Potential Fishing Zones (PFZ) and current market prices of fish. Using a participatory feedback approach amongst the fishing community in the Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu, the app is resolving issues associated with navigation safety, uncertainty of incomes and efficiency of catches.
The Indian fishing community is regarded as one of the most vulnerable groups susceptible to a multitude of challenges that threaten their income and livelihoods. The lack of access to refined technology, phobia towards technology that is mostly in English and mechanised fishing boats leaves them to their traditional fishing methods and have struggled to adapt to the now tech-dominated industry. These methods are often held back due to unpredictable weather and ocean currents, danger zones and lack of GPS amenities.
The Fisher friend mobile app was introduced by the M S Swaminathan Research foundation in 2007 with features such as Wave height, wind speed market information and potential fishing zones and is now an upgraded android app available to the public on the Google Play Store in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Bangla, Odiya, Kannada, Marathi, Gujarathi and English. The app now includes information such as disaster alerts for cyclones, danger zone identification, international border alerts, SOS for rescue situations and a fishing route tracker. The revolution of Indian telecommunication has paved way for fisherfolk outreach through mobile phones allowing for access to information that is affordable and relevant to their community.
The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami that struck the region of Tamil Nadu destroyed multiple livelihoods including fishing gear and infrastructure along the coast line. Fisherfolk struggled to adapt to the situation where they had to rebuild their livelihoods post Tsunami. The Fisher Friend mobile app project was an initiative to help recuperate the fishing community affected by the tsunami as well as prepare them for future events in order to build resilience.
The Indian fisheries industry contributes to 6.5% of the worlds Fish production being the 2nd largest contributor in the world and plays a vital role in providing employment opportunities for a majority of the Indian coastal population. It has generated revenue as well as contributing to exports and is regarded as a source for earning foreign exchange to the nation. The app has even been a featured topic on The Economic Times e-news bulletin which provides insight on the statistics of app traffic and downloads.
The Fisher Friend App highlights the importance of stakeholder engagement in fisheries management, since it takes into consideration the needs of local fisherman giving them access to real-time information to help improve their interactions with uncertainties. All users thus far have recorded a visible improvement in income associated with reduced risks to their lives as well as fishing operations. The app paves way for a more sustainable industry where the values of local fishermen are considered and put into action.
“The information helped us increase our fishing opportunities, efficiency, and gain huge fish-catchers, on 3 occasions. On 13th March 2016 at 6 pm, I received a PFZ advisory which indicated GPS co-ordinates in Vedaranyam coastal waters. I ventured into sea based on this advisory and gained a massive fish catch of seerfishes, carangids, and tuna. The catch fetched us Rs 20,000 over and above the usual sale price.”
- A direct quote from one of the fishermen
Sources
Anabel, N.J., Velvizhi, S. and Suvitha, D., 2018. Fisher Friend Mobile Application: a decision support system for small scale fishers in India. CSI Transactions on ICT, 6(3), pp.257-267.
Thanks for highlighting the Fisher Friend mobile application