About
Fishbuddy is the world's most advanced recreational fishing app, combining patented AR and AI technology with satellite data and curated expert knowledge to deliver a complete fishing experience. With over 1,000,000 downloads across Europe, it helps anglers of all skill levels find the best spots in both saltwater and freshwater, at the right time. At the core of the app is its AI/AR fish identification engine: users simply take a photo of their catch, and Fishbuddy instantly identifies the species, estimates length and weight, and logs the data. This patented technology is built for both recreational anglers and professional use cases — Fishbuddy is contracted by the Norwegian Coast Guard for fish stock assessment, monitoring, and regulatory reporting. Fishbuddy also serves as a citizen science platform, directly contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water). Every catch logged becomes valid, high-quality marine data shared with authorities and researchers, turning millions of everyday anglers into ocean scientists. For governments and institutions, Fishbuddy offers a cost-effective B2C2G data model that replaces expensive manual fishery monitoring at scale. For B2B partners, its AR/AI technology stack is available for licensing and integration. Key audiences include recreational anglers, fishing guides, marine biologists, government fishery agencies, and sustainability-focused organizations. Whether you're chasing a weekend catch or building a marine monitoring solution, Fishbuddy brings cutting-edge intelligence to every fishing trip.
Key Features
- AI/AR Fish Identification: Take a photo of your catch and the patented AI/AR engine instantly identifies the species, estimates length and weight, and logs the data — no manual entry needed.
- Smart Fishing Spot Recommendations: Combines satellite data, expert angler knowledge, and machine learning to guide you to the best saltwater and freshwater fishing locations at the optimal time.
- Expert Insights from Professional Anglers: Co-founder and expert angler Asgeir Alvestad and local fishing pros share real-time tips on what to catch, where, and how — tailored to your country and conditions.
- Citizen Science & Catch Logging: Every logged catch contributes valid, high-quality marine data to government authorities and researchers, supporting sustainable fisheries management and SDG14.
- B2G / Institutional Technology Platform: Contracted by the Norwegian Coast Guard, Fishbuddy's patented AR/AI platform enables efficient fish stock assessment, compliance monitoring, and reporting for governments and institutions.
Use Cases
- Recreational anglers use Fishbuddy to discover the best fishing spots near them, get expert tips on bait and technique, and instantly identify and log their catches using AI/AR photo recognition.
- Competitive fishing guides and professional anglers leverage satellite data and ML-powered spot recommendations to plan high-success fishing trips for clients.
- Marine researchers and fishery scientists use the aggregated, validated catch data contributed by Fishbuddy's user base to study fish populations and monitor biodiversity trends.
- Government agencies and coast guard organizations deploy Fishbuddy's patented AR/AI technology for cost-effective, scalable fish stock assessment and regulatory compliance reporting.
- Sustainability-focused organizations and NGOs use Fishbuddy's citizen science platform to educate anglers about responsible fishing practices and collect ocean health data aligned with UN SDG14 goals.
Pros
- Patented AI/AR Technology: The fish identification and measurement engine is proprietary, patent-protected, and validated for professional use by coast guard and government partners — far beyond typical consumer apps.
- Massive Verified Dataset: With 1.5M+ catch locations and 1M+ fishing spots logged, the platform's recommendations are backed by real-world crowdsourced and expert-verified data.
- Dual Consumer & Enterprise Value: Fishbuddy serves recreational users and institutional clients alike, making it both a consumer app and a scalable B2B/B2G data infrastructure platform.
- Meaningful Environmental Impact: The only recreational fishing app directly contributing to UN SDG14, turning each user into a citizen scientist helping protect marine biodiversity.
Cons
- Primarily European Coverage: With over 1M downloads in Europe and expert content focused on European waters, the app's spot recommendations and local expert insights may be limited for users outside Europe.
- Premium Features Behind Paywall: Advanced features require a Premium subscription, which may limit access to the most powerful AI guidance and data tools for free-tier users.
- Photo-Dependent Identification: The AI fish ID feature requires taking a clear in-app photo, which may be challenging in poor lighting conditions or with fast-moving fish.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Fishbuddy identify fish species from a photo?
Fishbuddy uses patented AI and augmented reality (AR) technology. When you take a photo of your catch inside the app, the system analyzes visual features to identify the species and uses AR depth estimation to calculate the fish's length and weight in seconds.
Is Fishbuddy free to use?
Fishbuddy is free to download and use with core features. A Premium subscription unlocks advanced fishing guidance, full spot data, and additional AI-powered tools. Pricing details are available inside the app.
How does Fishbuddy contribute to ocean sustainability?
Every catch logged through Fishbuddy becomes validated scientific data shared with fishery authorities and marine researchers. This citizen science model directly supports UN SDG14 (Life Below Water) and helps governments monitor fish stocks without costly manual surveys.
Does Fishbuddy work for both saltwater and freshwater fishing?
Yes. Fishbuddy provides spot recommendations, expert tips, and AI-powered catch logging for both saltwater (coastal and ocean) and freshwater (rivers and lakes) fishing environments.
Can institutions or governments use Fishbuddy's technology?
Yes. Fishbuddy offers a B2G (Business-to-Government) model and is already contracted by the Norwegian Coast Guard. Its patented AR/AI platform can be used for fish stock assessment, fishery compliance monitoring, and reporting by government agencies and research institutions.
