Plans for underwater AI bot that detects illegal fishing
Scientists unveil plans for new underwater AI bot which can detect illegal fishing
Credit: University of Southampton
Robot powered by artificial intelligence will swim the world’s seas to detect activities that harm the ocean environment.
Scientists have started work on a new underwater artificial intelligence bot which can detect activities that harm the ocean environment.
The technology, being developed by the University of Southampton with ocean science experts RS Aqua, will be used to spot illegal fishing and protect marine mammals during offshore wind farm construction.
More than £700,000 was awarded by Innovate UK for the AI system, codenamed MARLIN, which uses underwater sensors to remotely monitor animal, human and environmental activity anywhere in the ocean before transmitting data back in real time.
Professor of Statistical Signal Processing Paul White, from the University of Southampton, said: “Using the power of artificial intelligence to monitor sound in the underwater world, combined with the ability to rapidly relay information ashore, will enable us to provide tools to protect fragile marine ecosystems and detect a range of illegal activities.”
Large vessels are typically used for ocean monitoring missions – but the new MARLIN system could reduce the time ships are at sea, potentially cutting CO2 emissions by up to 75 per cent.
Dr Ryan Mowat, Research Director at RS Aqua, added: “This technology will revolutionise how we scientifically monitor our ocean environment. Currently we leave instruments underwater for months at a time and recover them before accessing their data.
“MARLIN will get that data to the internet in real time, and its implications are huge. It will help ensure that offshore construction is sensitive to marine mammal activity and will enable the monitoring of marine protected areas through the real time recognition of illegal fishing activity.”
Find out more at the MARLIN project at rsaqua.co.uk/projectmarlin.
Or read more about innovations from the University of Southampton which are addressing maritime challenges at www.southampton.ac.uk/smmi.
Media Contact
James Haigh
University of Southampton
j.haigh@soton.ac.uk
Office: 23805 99192
All latest news from the category: Information Technology
Here you can find a summary of innovations in the fields of information and data processing and up-to-date developments on IT equipment and hardware.
This area covers topics such as IT services, IT architectures, IT management and telecommunications.
Newest articles
Organic matter on Mars was formed from atmospheric formaldehyde
Although Mars is currently a cold, dry planet, geological evidence suggests that liquid water existed there around 3 to 4 billion years ago. Where there is water, there is usually…
Engineers 3D print sturdy glass bricks for building structures
The interlocking bricks, which can be repurposed many times over, can withstand similar pressures as their concrete counterparts. What if construction materials could be put together and taken apart as…
New organic thermoelectric device
… that can harvest energy at room temperature. Researchers have succeeded in developing a framework for organic thermoelectric power generation from ambient temperature and without a temperature gradient. Researchers have…
