An app that could help to tackle challenges related to small-scale fishing in Bermuda has taken the top prize in the Fishackathon event designed to address sustainability issues.

Jonathan Barker, a professional software engineer for Endurance, took the top place out of all the Bermudian contestants and will go on to compete in at an international level.

Each of Bermuda’s three winning teams addressed one of the nine different fisheries challenges that were being “hacked” at the same time in 42 other locations around the world over the Earth Day weekend.

Bermuda coders and science enthusiasts of all ages convened at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences last weekend to develop the tools.

Mr Barker’s app idea was aimed at fisheries operating within municipal waters (15 kilometres) from the shoreline. If developed it would enable the user, based on their geographical location, to access information on Bermuda’s fishing rules and regulations, including the coordinates of the island’s marine-protected areas.

Mr Barker will have a chance to win the grand prize of $20,000 to help to develop the winning design.

This was the first time Bermuda has taken part in the US Department of State’s annual Fishackathon, which began three years ago. Taking second place were Somersfield Academy students Kairo Morton and Yassine Chentouf, 12 and 13, who impressed the judges and audience with their “sophisticated presentation and innovative solution to the global challenge of lost fishing gear”.

The app would allow anyone finding lost or “ghost” gear to enter identifying features into a centrally-held data portal that would identify trends, gear type, and origin.

In third place was Harry Matthie and his team, Carp-Enders. They focused on invasive species, specifically Asian carp migrating from the US to Canada via waterways, with a design that focused on capturing large numbers of fish.

Consul General Mary Ellen Koenig, who spearheaded the event, said: “Considering that this was our first Fishackathon, the steering committee, sponsors, judges and the hackers agreed that the effort was well worth it. Those who participated displayed innovation, tenacity and dedication and proved that coders in Bermuda can hold their own on the international stage.”