The Nature Conservancy Advances Sustainable Fishing with New AI Grant
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has received a significant boost in funding, securing a $50,000 grant from the Bezos Earth Fund as part of their inaugural AI challenge. This initiative is dedicated to investing up to $100 million in innovative AI solutions that address climate change and support nature conservation.
Electronic monitoring aboard a vessel. Credit: The Nature Conservancy
Transforming Fisheries Monitoring
The grant will enable TNC to leverage AI technology to enhance electronic monitoring systems in industrial fisheries. By implementing real-time footage analysis directly on fishing vessels, the project aims to bolster sustainable fishing practices and curb illegal and unreported catches. Additionally, it promises to deliver timely data to fisheries managers and supply chain stakeholders.
Streamlining Monitoring Processes
Traditional monitoring methods typically depend on manual footage review conducted after fishing voyages, which can lead to delayed responses in managing fish stocks. TNC’s new computational solution aims to expedite this process, reducing review times from months to mere hours. This advancement allows for automated verification of catches and accurate species identification.
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“Edge AI processing of electronic monitoring footage of industrial fishing activity can drive huge improvements in sustainable fisheries by positioning key actors to make time-sensitive management decisions and prevent illegal products from entering global supply chains,” stated Vienna Saccomanno, Senior Fisheries Scientist at The Nature Conservancy.
Future Prospects
TNC expresses gratitude for being selected as a grantee for the Bezos Earth Fund’s AI Grand Challenge. They look forward to possibly scaling their efforts in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean—the home to some of the world’s largest fisheries—if chosen for phase two of the challenge.
The second phase of the AI Grand Challenge aims to award up to $2 million each to 15 selected projects for immediate implementation, propelling further innovations in environmental sustainability.
