Automated eyes for better fisheries management

[Music plays and an animation image appears of a fishing boat on the surface of the ocean and fish swimming beneath in the water]

 

Global seafood sustainability in modern fisheries is essential.

 

[Animation image shows an inset set of balance scales and the image shows a dollar sign on one side and a fish on the other side of the scales]

 

It is also an expectation of our communities.

 

[Camera zooms in on the fishing boat and the image shows data lines radiating out from the ship and then the image shows rain and dollar signs falling around the ship]

 

But to achieve sustainability we need data. Unfortunately collecting fisheries data is expensive and at times dangerous.

 

[Animation image changes to show a computer screen showing the fishing vessel on the screen]

 

So, cameras are replacing humans as the collectors of fishing data on vessels.

 

[Animation image changes to show a male snoring in front of a computer screen which is displaying various types of fish]

 

Whilst more efficient, this leads to more hours of video than can be scrutinized.

 

[Animation image shows the camera panning along the computer screen showing the different types of fish and text appears: Whiting]

 

Advances in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning now allow these recordings to be analysed quickly and cheaply.

 

[Animation image shows an inset box displaying CSIRO data and text appears: AI Training, When - 05/09/19, Type - Whiting, Count - 50]

 

At CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, we are training software to identify when a fish is caught, what type of fish is caught, and how many are caught.

 

[Animation image changes to show various types of fish on a bar graph]

 

This information helps scientists set sustainable annual catches, and it provides a better understanding of fishing impacts on the marine ecosystem.

 

[Animation image changes to show a fishing vessel on the surface of the ocean and fish swimming below]

 

For example, it will soon help manage unwanted bycatch of grenadier in the Sub-Antarctic.

 

[Camera zooms out on the fish and the vessel above]

 

With innovation and technology, we can solve the greatest challenges facing Australian fisheries and provide assurances of their sustainability now and into the future.

 

[Image changes to show the CSIRO logo on a light blue screen]