Scientists unveil plans for underwater AI bot that detects illegal fishing

University of Southampton Scientists have started work on a new underwater artificial intelligence bot which can detect activities that harm the ocean environment.

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.

Find out more here.