Australia’s first ever Fishackathon 2016 hits Australian shores this weekend as participants and mentors get set to tackle serious issues facing fisheries and marine resources around the world.
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) is proudly partnering on this event being held at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), which currently has 40 participants signed up to take part. Fishackathon is being headed by two local organisers, Anatoly Logunov and Mitchell Karden, both technology enthusiasts and UNSW alumni.
Across the weekend, participants will be developing simple tech based solutions to a range of issues including; ghost nets, fisheries compliance, maritime laws and species identification. AFMA staff, along with technology and software experts from UNSW and GitHub will be on hand to provide expert advice and guidance.
Acting Executive Manager of the Fisheries Management Branch, George Day will be on the judging panel and is pleased Fishackathon is launching in Australia, and excited to see the innovative approaches the participants take.
“To ensure Commonwealth fisheries remain sustainable for future generations to enjoy, innovation in management will be key and events like Fishackathon might provide a new tool for fishery managers,” Mr Day said.
“This is the first year that Fishackathon has been hosted in Sydney. I’m keen to see what comes from the Australian entrants.”
AFMA will be sponsoring the local prize winner and Fishackathon Sydney organisers Anatoly and Mitchell are very pleased with interest shown in the event and support by industry.
“Technology has transformed the way we travel, the way we work, and the way we learn. We are excited that Fishackathon will direct the expertise and innovative potential of the Australian science and entrepreneur community towards fisheries and ocean sustainability,” Mr Logunov said.
“It is great to see Australia’s Commonwealth fisheries regulator get involved with this event and look for new innovation that could potentially improve Australia’s fisheries management.”
Fishackathon kicks off at 6pm Friday 22 April at the Michael Crouch Innovation Centre, UNSW with the local winner announced on Sunday afternoon. Further information can be found at fishackathon.co/sydney.