Development of computer vision (AI) tools for REM of pelagic Fisheries

About

This requirement is for the development of computer vision (AI) tools for pelagic fisheries CCTV.

The project will consider the development of an automated image analysis system to isolate (and quantify) activities (and animals) associated with pelagic fisheries, with a focus on the capture of UCB species in CCTV-observed fishing events of a given subset of vessels subject to mandatory Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM).

The project will focus initially on counts of UCB events, but the intention would be to gather biological data on the individual animals caught e.g.

classification to the finest possible level and estimates of size.

The results will be used by Scottish Government Marine Directorate (SGMD) Compliance (for regulation infringement detection) and SGMD Science for bycatch rate estimation, as part of wider observer programmes, and to inform future revisions to REM technical specifications.

The ultimate goal of this development work is to design, implement and test a UCB detection and classification system, including the supply of relevant CCTV footage from vessels in Scottish Waters.