#San Jose #Costa Rica #FIFCO #Seashells

A Groundbreaking Initiative in Costa Rica

In a remarkable eco-restoration effort, Costa Rica is using artificial intelligence to return over 36,000 seashells back to their natural habitats. This unique project, led by FIFCO in collaboration with various local organizations and universities, aims to tackle an alarming environmental crisis stemming from the seemingly innocuous practice of collecting seashells as souvenirs. Accumulated research has shown that such collection is detrimental to coastal ecosystems, threatening biodiversity and undermining the stability necessary for these habitats to thrive under climate change pressures.

The Environmental Situation

Each year, Costa Rican airports are estimated to confiscate around six tons of seashells collected by tourists, leading to significant ecological damage. Historically, these shells have been lost to the ocean for decades due to a lack of knowledge about their origins, which could be from either the Pacific Ocean or the Caribbean Sea. Without proper classification, returning these shells could inadvertently introduce non-native organisms, parasites, or microbes into local ecosystems, further exacerbating the environmental crisis.

Recognizing the urgent need for action, the 'Back Home' initiative was launched. FIFCO, alongside Imperial, the Ministry of Environment and Energy, AERIS, and the University of Costa Rica, developed a global solution focused on reintegrating seashells into appropriate marine biotopes. This endeavor not only involved creating a classification tool for identifying the shells' origins but also establishing protocols for their safe return.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence

At the heart of this project is a powerful AI tool developed by FIFCO, capable of classifying seashells from diverse ecosystems using photographs. This tool achieves an impressive accuracy rate of up to 90% within just seconds. Trained with over 18,500 images spanning 525 different species, the model can effectively differentiate between Caribbean and Pacific seashells. This precision ensures that seashells can be safely reintegrated into their respective environments, restoring their ecological functions.

In 2024, to great success, more than 36,000 seashells were returned to their natural habitats. This milestone not only alleviated storage issues at local airports but marked a significant step forward in addressing the environmental impacts of seashell collection in Costa Rica.

A Collaborative Effort

Beyond the immediate restoration efforts, FIFCO has made the source code for the AI model accessible to the global scientific community, enabling other nations to develop their classification systems. The initiative's impact goes beyond Costa Rica's borders, as it serves as a template that could be replicated globally, providing an innovative approach to addressing similar environmental challenges elsewhere.

Public Awareness and Education

To further complement these conservation efforts, a public awareness platform was launched, featuring documentary and educational content to inform citizens and tourists alike about the importance of protecting coastal ecosystems. Through these measures, Costa Rica is not only attempting to remediate the past but also advocating for a future where natural habitats are respected and preserved.

Costa Rica, renowned for its rich biodiversity and commitment to environmental sustainability, fervently continues to lead the way in innovative conservation strategies through collaborative and technology-driven efforts. As the 'Back Home' initiative demonstrates, the combination of dedicated teamwork and advanced technology can yield powerful solutions to pressing environmental issues.

For further information about this initiative, visit Imperial and explore how technology is being harnessed to benefit our planet.