Seafood technologists take heed: The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has launched its very first Prize Challenge Competition, and is seeking innovative fish tracking technologies for which it has allotted USD 20,000 (EUR 18,254) in prize money.
Established with the help of the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA-National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the competition aims to reduce costs and ultimately enhance fish tracking methods.
The current widely-used practice of tagging – which typically requires that fish be captured and handled – is costly, complex and stressful for the animals, according to the bureau. Thus, the competition welcomes any sort of groundbreaking monitoring ideas or solutions that differ in some way from the accustomed processes.
“Discovering new concepts and technologies significantly improves our ability to monitor threatened and endangered fish species and their ecosystems,” said Commissioner Estevan López in a prepared statement. “This search for new fish tracking methods gives us a way to collaborate with private industries and the public to find innovative and creative solutions to problems we all currently face.”
Applications will be accepted up until 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on 26 August, with members from the national community encouraged to submit their ideas alongside fisheries researchers. A winning submission will feature a solution that can “significantly reduce costs and dramatically increase the effectiveness and efficiency of various fish recovery efforts led by Federal, state, local, and/or other organizations,” noted the bureau.
Winners of the Prize Challenge Competition will be announced on 9 November. Find more information – and submit an application – here: https://www.innocentive.com/ar/challenge/9933646
