Bermuda will be one of more than 40 locations worldwide to host “Fishackathon,” a two-day event from April 22 to 24 in which techies and environmentalists will be encouraged to join forces with their communities to create new applications and tools to address challenges related to sustainable fisheries worldwide.

The event, which will be held at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, is part of the US Department of State’s third annual Fishackathon.

According to a US Consulate press release, Fishackathon was launched in 2014 around US Secretary of State John Kerry’s “Our Ocean” conference, “to bring together coders, developers, designers, project managers, and fisheries experts of all ages.”

“The purpose is to create tools, applications, and systems to address challenges in sustainable fishing around the world,” added the release.

“The pilot Fishackathon brought together coders in five US cities. Fishackathon 2015 expanded to 12 cities worldwide, including hackathons in Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

“This year, participants at all 40-plus host sites, including Bermuda, will be presented with several problem statements selected by the Fishackathon organisers from approximately 50 entries submitted by fisheries experts globally. Organisers and participants will not know the final challenges until the Fishackathon begins at 6pm on April 22.

“Participants will, either individually or in self-organised teams of up to five people, select the problem statement on which they will focus throughout the weekend. They will present their work to a judging panel of local fishery experts, computer programmers, and sponsors at 3pm on April 24. The judges will nominate one winning team from the Bermuda event, who will then compete internationally for grand prizes, including $10,000 cash and a $25,000 seed development grant.

“Local prizes will go to first, second and third-place winners. Judges will use standardised criteria to evaluate the impact, innovation, and interface of the applications created at each Fishackathon event.

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime for Bermuda’s hackers to be involved in solving global environmental, economic and social issues through the use of technology. It also presents the opportunity to foster entrepreneurship in Bermuda’s growing IT and technology industries and support our local fishing and tourism sectors with solutions to promote sustainable use of Bermuda’s marine environment.”

Participants can register free at http://www.fishackathon.co/hamilton/. Only the first 50 applicants will be accepted. All ages are invited to participate, although a signed parental permission slip will be required for those under the age of 16. All participants will be required to sign a BIOS waiver form. The event will run April 22 from 6pm to midnight, April 23 from 8am to midnight and April 24 from 8am to 2pm at Hanson Hall on the BIOS campus. Judging will begin at 3pm on April 24.

Food and drinks will be provided at the BIOS cafeteria throughout the weekend, courtesy of Fishackathon sponsors. Forward any queries to BermudaFishackathon@state.gov or call 441-295-1342 ext 0.

The US Consulate is partnering with a number of Bermudian-based organisations to plan and host the programme, which will kick off Earth Day 2016. US Consul General Mary Ellen Koenig said: “The consulate is grateful to these government departments, local organisations, and sponsors for working with us to make this happen. Their knowledge, experience, and support will be critical as we move forward to implement the Fishackathon.”

Local partners include the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation, the Department of e-commerce, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Sustainable Development Department, the Department of Conservation Services, the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, the Bermuda Zoological Society, the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, Greenrock, the Ocean Support Foundation, the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute and the Fishermen’s Association of Bermuda.