The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), Taramani, has been named a recipient of the prestigious IUCN Tech4Nature Award 2025. The award recognises MSSRF’s Fisher Friend Mobile App (FFMA) for its role in protecting the endangered Olive Ridley Turtles.
The FFMA, developed in collaboration with INCOIS and Qualcomm Wireless Reach, translates ocean science into actionable information for coastal communities. The Android-based app provides fishers with crucial real-time data in nine languages across nine states.
Key Impact and Features
- Conservation: The app sends ‘No-Fishing Zone’ Alerts (7,031 alerts sent to date) to guide fishers away from protected Olive Ridley habitats, aligning with Prof. M.S. Swaminathan’s vision of “Biohappiness.”
- Safety & Livelihood: With 1,22,000 registered users, the FFMA offers:
- Ocean State Forecasts (Wave height, wind speed, direction).
- Weather Forecasting (Rainfall, cyclone warnings).
- Navigation via GPS.
- Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) alerts.
- Information on Government Schemes and market prices.
Dr. S. Velvizhi, Area Director at MSSRF, stated, “This award reinforces our conviction that technology, when built with communities, can advance Prof. M.S. Swaminathan’s vision of Biohappiness.”
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the world’s largest environmental network, known for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, dedicated to conserving nature and ensuring sustainable resource use.
