Globe joins US Embassy Manila, USAID, Tone in Fishackathon 2016 to address problems of overfishing

Leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom joins the US Embassy Manila, US Agency for International Development (USAID), and mobile content marketing firm Tone in staging the first Fishackathon in the Philippines on April 23-24 at Globe Valero Telepark in Makati City in an effort to develop usable technology solutions that will address the worldwide problem of overfishing.

The two-day activity, which will be staged simultaneously in 43 host cities worldwide, expect to bring together developers, designers, as well as representatives from government and non-government organizations who will #codeforfish, find innovative ways to collect and analyze data, and find solutions to the world’s fisheries and oceans issues.

“It will be exciting to see effective and useful apps emerge at the Fishackathon 2016 Manila. We at Globe Labs, are proud to serve as a partner again with the US government in looking for ways for information and communications technology to be used in addressing issues that plague the world,” said Glenn Estrella, VP for Digital Ventures. Globe Labs partnered with the US government in hosting the TechCamp Hackathon two years ago.

Fishackathon 2016 is also in line with Globe Telecom’s sustainability advocacy to create a #WonderfulPH through positive societal impact with the use of modern technology. Globe has ongoing eco-tourism efforts which include communities involved in fisheries and aquatic resources such as the following: PUSOD on protection and enhancement of Taal Lake in Batangas ecosystem; Save Philippine Seas on protection of thresher sharks through engagement and education of community stakeholders in Malapascua, Cebu; Sangkalikasan Producers Cooperative on the establishment of an environment hotline center in Boracay, Malay, Aklan; and Casa San Miguel on livelihood opportunities for those living along the coastal barangays of San Antonio, Zambales.

Fishackathon was launched in 2014 in response to overfishing which harms the marine environment and diminishes the already meager income of small scale fishermen. Participating teams need to choose one of the nine available problem statements to work on for the entirety of the hackathon. The official text of the problem statements will not be available until after the event is officially opened to ensure that all teams are on a level playing field when the hackathon begins. A group of marine experts will be on hand to advise all participants about fisheries management and marine biodiversity conservation in the Philippines.

For Fishackathon Manila, a grand prize valuing approximately Php 35,000 as well as smaller runner-up and second runner-up prizes, will be awarded. Each team will be asked to do a five- minute presentation of their solution, followed by two minutes of Q&A by the panel of judges and two minutes of Q&A by the audience.

The presentations will be judged based on the quality of idea or innovation, impact, and interface. The winning team will upload their presentation to be entered into the global competition. The global winning team will be announced on World Oceans Day on June 8, 2016 and will receive a $10,000 cash prize. In addition, one team’s creation will be further independently developed through a US government contractor.