The concept seemed sublimely simple. Catch a fish. Take a photo showing the scale of the catch. Send it to the competition officials. However, the number of entries meant there was a lot of data to deal with. Luckily, the competition’s major sponsor knew a thing or two about data wrangling…
“Initially, BTG provided custom printed stickers to identify fish caught on the day. As it grew in popularity, Steve lined us up with fishingcomp.co.nz – we’re the first club in New Zealand to use it. So, all of our feedback is going into creating a site that’s functioning just the way we want it to”
This online photo collating system means the skipper can upload pictures on behalf of the people doing the fishing. The images are then able to be shown on a giant screen in the marquee before and during the prize-giving.
“This year, BTG’s provided us with whiteboard competition cards. So, they can be used again and again. Plus of course, now that we’re taking photos, the anglers have the option to put the fish back if they choose. It’s all very sustainable… and that’s only the beginning.”
At the competition, OBC have set up filleting stations. The heads, frames and offal are placed in fridges, and Papatuanuku Kokiri Marae collect the contents. The heads are a delicacy. The remainder gets used to nourish the earth.
“We call it ‘Project Kai Ika’. The Marae are using it to teach some members of the Mangere community about better nutritional lifestyles. It completes the full cycle of the fish, everything is utilised. We’re the first club in New Zealand to roll it out, and we hope others follow suit. The Marae can’t keep up with the demand, and we’re so thankful to BTG for helping us to be real agents for change in our community.”
