At Sea Mobile
Fishing research collection application
The At-Sea Mobile Data Collection application is an offline-capable iPad solution that enables fisheries observers to accurately collect, manage, and report fishing activity and species data while working aboard commercial vessels in remote offshore environments.
The At-Sea Mobile Data Collection application was developed for a Fisheries Commission in partnership with a State Department of Fish and Wildlife to support offshore fisheries monitoring and research. I worked within Timmons Group (A geospatial app developer and data company) to plan and build this application that enables field biologists to record daily voyages, fishing activities, catch information, species measurements, retention and release data, and details related to protected or sensitive species. We designed the app for operating in remote environments and made sure that the solution could function without reliable internet connectivity.
The design process leveraged Agile methodologies and a Lean UX approach to understand the unique challenges faced by fisheries observers working in demanding offshore conditions. Through stakeholder interviews, field research, workflow analysis, and iterative design, I focused on creating an intuitive user experience for a diverse user base with varying levels of technical proficiency. Significant attention was given to simplifying workflows, reducing data-entry complexity, and optimizing usability for harsh weather conditions and limited connectivity.
In addition to software design, recommendations were provided for hardware, protective cases, battery solutions, and data storage options to support reliable field operations.
The At-Sea Mobile Data Collection application was successfully deployed to support fisheries monitoring efforts and became a critical tool for the Fisheries Commission. By enabling reliable offline data collection and streamlining the recording process, the application improved data quality, increased observer efficiency, and provided fisheries managers with valuable information for conservation, regulatory compliance, and resource management decisions. The solution delivered a dependable, user-friendly platform that supported long-term fisheries research and operational success.