#China #Huawei #AI Technology #Xiamen #Chinese White Dolphins

Revolutionary AI Initiative Safeguards Chinese White Dolphins

An innovative artificial intelligence solution developed by Huawei and its partners has shown promising results in efforts to protect the endangered Chinese white dolphins in Xiamen Bay, China. Launched as part of the TECH4ALL initiative approximately three months ago, this project has generated significant interest and optimism regarding the conservation of this vulnerable species.

The AI system has successfully identified 13 individual dolphins using over 2,820 images and videos, boasting an impressive identification accuracy exceeding 90%. Furthermore, it has achieved an 85% success rate in recognizing complex behaviors, while improving data labeling efficiency by 400%. These technological advancements have led to a 65% increase in response times for law enforcement agencies to address violations, such as speeding boats or breaches of protected zones.

Cui Yangyang, Director of the TECH4ALL program at Huawei, stated, “Data-driven insights provided by our AI technology are empowering conservationists to develop targeted protection measures, essential for understanding and addressing the threats faced by these iconic dolphins and ensuring their survival.” The Chinese white dolphin is recognized as a nationally protected species and listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. The Xiamen Bay region is home to 51% of China's dolphin population, facing critical threats from navigation, fishing activities, and coastal engineering projects.

In close collaboration with the Third Institute of Oceanography under China's Ministry of Natural Resources and China Mobile, the project employs a physical characteristic recognition system to identify individual dolphins based on distinctive markings on their dorsal fins. According to Wang Xianyan, head of the marine species conservation research team at the Third Institute of Oceanography, “The introduction of AI has enhanced investigation efficiency and precision in conservation efforts.” The system provides vital insights into individual survival rates, reproductive dynamics, and social interactions, which are crucial for developing effective protective measures.

This advanced solution encompasses image pre-processing, inference, and recognition capabilities, along with dorsal fin image cropping, data classification, and cloud visualization. Each dolphin is assigned a unique profile that allows researchers to monitor its health status. By gathering long-term data, researchers can observe dolphin population numbers, distribution, age structure, reproductive behavior, and the various threats they encounter.

Historically, manual monitoring methods were labor-intensive and failed to yield reliable information necessary for tracking population dynamics and formulating precise conservation strategies. As noted by the Third Institute of Oceanography, the next decade will be critical for population growth among the Chinese white dolphin. These dolphins play a crucial role in coastal marine ecosystems and contribute to the ocean’s carbon storage capacity. As they feed on fish that consume plankton—responsible for absorbing CO2 and fixing carbon through photosynthesis—their protection is vital for mitigating climate change through conservation of marine ecosystems.

Complementing the AI-driven analysis, a 5G-A network consisting of 10 base stations spans across 330 square kilometers of the bay area, ensuring seamless coverage of key conservation zones. Leveraging the integrated detection and communication capabilities of 5G-A, data from radar, visual terminals, satellites, and the Automatic Identification System (AIS) of vessels is utilized for real-time tracking of boat movements within a 20-kilometer radius. The system can provide AI-generated alerts in seconds regarding violations such as intrusions into designated boundaries or speeding, enabling enforcement teams to promptly verify breaches and locate offending vessels.

To date, 12 boats have been investigated for potential threats to dolphin safety. Thanks to ongoing research efforts combined with AI applications, the secret lives of the Chinese white dolphin population in Xiamen Bay are gradually revealing themselves, offering hope for their continued survival.