WorldFish is an international nonprofit research organization that harnesses the potential of fisheries and aquaculture to reduce hunger and poverty. Their Peska platform serves as a vital tool for monitoring and managing fishing activities in Timor-Leste.
the challenge
WorldFish approached Mountain Dev with the need to rebuild and enhance their existing Peska platform, which was facing several critical challenges: The platform required migration to dedicated servers to ensure long-term reliability and accessibility, Local fishers lacked access to crucial real-time weather data, putting their safety at risk, Incident reporting and communication between fishers and support agencies was slow and inefficient, and The existing data visualization system needed modernization to better support policy decisions. These challenges were particularly critical in Timor-Leste, where fishing represents both a vital economic activity and an essential food source for coastal communities.
the solution
Mountain Dev delivered a comprehensive solution that addressed these challenges through two key components:
- Platform Migration and Modernization:We completely rebuilt the Peska platform while preserving its open-source nature, implementing: Migration to dedicated servers to ensure system reliability and performance, Refactored code architecture to improve scalability and maintainability, Enhanced data visualization tools that combine local catch data with vessel tracking information, and Improved near-real-time monitoring capabilities to support evidence-based policy decisions.
- Fisher Safety Mobile Application: We developed a companion mobile application specifically designed for local fishers that provides: Real-time weather data, previously difficult to access in the region, Streamlined incident reporting functionality for emergencies at sea, Direct communication channel for news updates from support agencies, and Intuitive interface designed for accessibility in challenging conditions.
the process
- Collaborative Discovery & Local Context Understanding: We began by working closely with WorldFish stakeholders and on-the-ground coordinators in Timor-Leste to understand the day-to-day realities faced by local fishers and data analysts. This discovery phase ensured that every technical decision aligned with both operational needs and regional infrastructure constraints.
- Strategic Platform Migration: To stabilize the existing Peska platform, we orchestrated a careful migration to dedicated servers. This included codebase auditing, containerization, and infrastructure setup to support long-term scalability, data integrity, and 24/7 accessibility in remote regions.
- Code Modernization & Performance Refactoring: With a focus on maintainability and performance, we refactored the original open-source codebase, implementing modular architecture patterns and cleaner data pipelines. This ensured smoother integrations, easier updates, and more efficient system performance.
- Data Visualization Overhaul: We introduced a modernized data visualization layer that allowed WorldFish and government stakeholders to monitor fishing activity in near real-time. By combining catch reports with vessel tracking and environmental overlays, the platform now supports smarter, faster policy-making and sustainability initiatives.
- Mobile Safety App Development: Recognizing the lack of safety tools for local fishers, we designed and developed a mobile application purpose-built for rugged environments. Key features included real-time weather access, emergency incident reporting, and a communication hub for news and updates—all designed for low-bandwidth conditions and intuitive use by non-technical users.
the results
The rebuilt Peska platform and new mobile application have delivered significant impacts:
Enhanced system reliability with 99.9% uptime since migration to dedicated servers- Improved safety for local fishers through access to critical weather information
- Faster emergency response times through the streamlined incident reporting system
- More informed policy decisions based on transparent, up-to-date data visualization
- Strengthened sustainable fishing practices through better monitoring and communication
- This project demonstrates Mountain Dev's ability to deliver solutions that not only address technical challenges but also create meaningful real-world impact for communities that depend on natural resources for their livelihoods.
