When reefs are harmed, ecosystems can suffer. Fortunately, new technology makes what was once a futile, laborious task to help restructure sea life possible thanks to market innovations. One such example can be found in the Philippines, where a local non-profit Sulubaaï foundation is partnering with computer processor maker Intel to create AI-powered undersea cameras to help monitor the coral reefs.
Destruction of the reefs can end up causing local fish life to flee the area, causing a chain of harmful effects to the ecosystem. Previously, teams trying to restore these reefs would have to send human divers to analyze behavior. The constraints of this approach are enormous, as human divers are limited in number, can scare the fish to unnatural behavior, and can't constantly monitor the behavior. Now with the AI-powered cameras, researchers are able to track the movement of fish without disturbing them to see which efforts are successful, find migration patterns, and continue to learn and restore the reef.
As posted on Financial Times:
By adding AI capabilities to underwater cameras, the team has gathered and processed 40,000 images of fish and marine species to identify and monitor their interactions with the reef. “We can see how fish are reacting to the man-made structure,” Mr Dorsey says. “Is it prohibiting them? Are they moving in directions where they need to?” The researchers can adjust the positioning of the artificial reef to improve the migration patterns. The system itself is evolving, with plans to integrate infrared cameras to improve visibility and afford more accurate categorisation at night, says Mr Dorsey.
