Onboard Photo Data Collection APP Starts Sea Trials

The Sea Delight and VINATUNA-designed Crew Observer Photographic Protocol Application (COPPA) began sea trials today. The simple “point and shoot” Android app allows fishers to collect basic scientific data and photos of the fish they catch as they are being landed. With each “catch event” the app also automatically records the time and GPS location, allowing a “trip report” to be created once the vessel is back in port and the Android device online. From the report a virtual map of the trip can also be generated by port data enumerators.

A typical Catch Event data entry page

2 vessels from the Khanh Hoa Province handline fleet have agreed to test the system at sea while they pursue yellowfin tuna and swordfish using baited handlines. The vessels departed on the day of this writing. The data and photos they collect will be used to complete important FIP Action Plan requirements for both the Vietnam Hook and Line Tuna FIP and the Vietnam Handline Swordfish FIP.

Vessel Captains enjoyed COPPA training. Both commented “Simple to use!”

These COPPA trips will find and work on any issues with the Android pad hardware or COPPA software priot to distribution throughout the fishery.

Sea Delight is looking forward to posting the results of these sea trials here and then expanding the COPPA program. You can look for the next report in the near future.