WASHINGTON, Aug. 6, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
and National Security Innovation Network have announced that
Athenium LLC of Dover, NH, won the
top prize of $500,000 to help prevent
rapidly increasing threats posed by illegal fishing around the
globe.
"The challenge winners' forecasts outperformed the historical
Global Fishing Watch baseline by up to 25%," said Dr. Mike Brady, a leading research scientist at the
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA).
NGA asked Athenium and dozens of other competitors in the "Grand
Fishing Forecast Challenge" to design effective solutions in
forecasting maritime traffic involved in illegal, unreported and
unregulated fishing.
"Our scientists won by inventing advanced predictive analytics
to integrate with Athenium's comprehensive global climate data,"
said Jordan Foley, President of
Athenium LLC. "These forecasts can bolster conservation efforts
worldwide by promoting sustainable fishing practices."
Congress was told last year that illegal, unregulated fishing is
a significant and growing global problem. The National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration warned that vessels from China and six other nations were threatening
oceanic ecosystems, harming law-abiding seafood producers and
endangering stable food systems.
The competition's organizers said they encouraged development of
industrial fishing forecasts in concert with efforts by the U.S.
Defense-Intelligence Community to systematically detect, track and
report illegal fishing.
Athenium's competitors for the top prize included international
companies and research institutes specializing in oceanography and
artificial intelligence.
"Our fishing forecasts blend technical expertise and patented
analytics with practical applications to help optimize resources
across governments and industry," said Dr. Ellen Cousins, Athenium's Chief Science Officer.
"We look forward to working with NGA and other DoD partners to
leverage these advancements in real-time, across all oceans."
She added, "Together, we can make a significant difference in
combating illegal and unregulated actors."
Athenium LLC is a portfolio company of In-Q-Tel, the
private venture firm serving the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency
and the broader intelligence community. Athenium's
climate-intelligence tools and other solutions serve the U.S. Air
Force, the CIA, Homeland Security and one-third of the largest
property & casualty insurers in the
United States. For more information about the Grand Fishing
Forecast Challenge, the finalists and Athenium LLC, visit NGA News
and https://www.athenium.com/.
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SOURCE Athenium LLC