Public Safety
Fisher Friend: Bringing Helpful Information to Rural Fisherman

Generations of fishermen in India’s coastal regions have practiced and perfected their craft for years. However, with changing environmental conditions after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and its devastating impact, a new generation of fishermen is using wireless technology to earn livelihoods in a safer and more profitable manner. The Fisher Friend Mobile Application provides critical information about weather and ocean conditions up to 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) from shore, including disaster alerts, Potential Fishing Zones (PFZs) and current market prices of fish, helping the fishermen improve their catch and their incomes.

Impact

• More than 500 fishermen have used Fisher Friend.
• According to Google Analytics, during January-March 2014, Fisher Friend was launched more than 9,000 times and used cumulatively for 2,400 hours.
• The two most popular features of the Fisher Friend application provided information on wind speed and wave height, and also provided the ability to chart a sea course using GPS.
• The mobile application has helped in the rescue of more than 40 fishermen who were caught in bad weather conditions – using Fisher Friend they could communicate their GPS location to the coast guard.
• The National Council of Applied Economic Research of India, a reputable think tank and economic research organization, lauded the Indian Federal Ministry of Earth Sciences for the implementation of Fisher Friend in collaboration with MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) and recommended that a similar program be created for Indian farmers.