Disseminating marine weather forecasts and gathering feedback from artisanal fishers in south India

Abstract

Despite recent advances, uptake of climate and weather services is limited for many groups that need forecasts for safe and sustainable livelihoods such as artisanal fishers. On the Arabian Sea coast of southwestern India, for instance, they often fish in foul weather, and risk accidents during the monsoon season marked by high wind and waves. To make forecasts more easily accessible, we tested and deployed a low-cost, web-based, knowledge co-production system called Radio Monsoon. The website offers wind speed and wave height forecasts in graphics and local-language text with multiple interfaces - social media, WhatsApp, and a free phone service using voice over internet protocol. Focus groups and conversations connect the fishers with forecasters in a feedback loop. This paper examines how Radio Monsoon addresses challenges in knowledge co-production by looking at its technology deployment and societal impact.