The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is hoping to hook new innovators -- and catch illegal fishing operators -- in a million dollar competition.
The NGA is handing out a million dollars to individuals or groups who can create a geospatial model to identify and predict when and where illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing might occur. "We're looking for innovative ways to put that data into useful context to allow analysts to be able to sift through."
Dr. Mike Brady, Scientist with NGA Research and Development tells KMOX the agency is involved because illegal fishing is one of the leading global maritime security threats, "of course it's food security but from a national security lens, IUU fishing undermines national sovereignty, economic security, and also challenges global rules-based order." In a release, the agency says IUU impacts the stability of economies, food systems and ecosystems regionally and worldwide.
Why reach out to the public? Brady explains, public challenges like this one help the agency tap into brain power in commercial and academic circles.
A total of $1 million in prize money will be awarded during the challenge. Up to ten finalists selected from the Proposal Round will be awarded $25,000 and invited to participate in the Pitch Round. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners of the Pitch Round will be awarded an additional $500,000, $200,000 and $50,000, respectively. All finalists, regardless of ranking, may be eligible for follow-on contracts with NGA.
Click here for more information on a Q&A session Monday, January 29th at noon Central.
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