Make a Whatsapp-based interface that facilitates easy collection of data from different sources of stranding, sightings, etc. (depending on the use case) while allowing for easy cleaning, storage, and analysis of that data.
In our talks with different NGOs working on collecting, cleaning, and analysing stranding and sighting data via different types of users, a strong need has been expressed for the creation of a better and easier-to-use system. Current system is failing and is definitely not scaling.
The problems being solved by these systems, like marine stranding, waste reporting, etc., are problems that affect the oceans or are one of the stronger indicators of ocean health which we have access to. We have very limited visibility on them right now. The limited visibility that we have points to them growing.
The data is collected currently by having different users send messages related to a specific sighting/stranding event to a central whatsapp group (usually). These messages are in no specific format/order. Might or might not consist of full information and other elements like images. Text might be with the image message or might be sent separately. Messages might be sent over a period of time as the team gets more updated.
All the messages related to a particular event including images and text are then logged in to a database/excel file/sheet by another set/single user(s) whenever they get time. The data might/might not be cleaned when they are performing this activity.
Post this, the data is left as it is and no further analysis is carried out. If any visualisation/analysis is carried out, it is carried out in parts, not consistently, by only a very selected group of people.
This creates a set of problems:
Thus, the main problems are as follows: