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Huawei and IUCN Collaborate on Tech4Nature

On January 10, 2025, a significant environmental initiative was launched in Nairobi, Kenya, aimed at preserving the rich biodiversity of the Kenyan coastline. The Tech4Nature project, a collaboration between Huawei, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the local Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), seeks to monitor and protect the coral reefs in the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park and Reserve.

Objectives of the Tech4Nature Project

Aligned with Huawei's TECH4ALL initiative and the IUCN Green List, the three-year project is designed to enhance the effectiveness of monitoring and management in this protected area. The Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park faces various conservation challenges, including:

• - Illegal fishing and insufficient resources for effective patrolling.
• - Lack of remote monitoring for the three coral islands within the reserve, alongside pressures from tourism as these reefs are popular dive sites.
• - Limited community awareness regarding the importance of protecting coral reefs and marine biodiversity.
• - Inadequate communication network infrastructure to support technology-driven monitoring efforts.

Khadija Mohamed, Huawei Kenya's Media and Government Relations Director, remarked, "Tech4Nature is a vast project framed within Huawei's TECH4ALL initiative, where we seek ways to implement technology and innovations across various sectors to improve global standards and ensure sustainability."

Innovative Monitoring Technologies

The Tech4Nature project will utilize advanced technologies including underwater cameras, photogrammetry, and audio monitoring systems to track marine life, focusing on critical species such as parrotfish. Known for their key role in reef health, parrotfish help prevent coral suffocation by grazing on algae. This innovative solution will also monitor substrate coverage in reef ecosystems, seagrass vegetation, and the presence of green turtles and bottlenose dolphins, both classified as endangered and vulnerable, respectively, by the IUCN.

Innocent Kabenga, Country Representative of IUCN Kenya, stated, "The technology we're introducing is a revolutionary advancement for marine conservation in Kenya. It will serve as the first monitoring tool for data collection, analysis, and management in a protected marine area, which could help the park achieve IUCN Green List certification, emphasizing sustainability goals valued by tourists and ensuring future generations can benefit from our marine parks."

The project incorporates AI trained to recognize specific target species by sight or sound, providing real-time data on behaviors, populations, and biodiversity distribution. Additionally, the system will detect boats involved in illegal fishing and issue alerts to park rangers almost instantaneously.

To support rapid data transfer to a cloud server for AI analysis, a digital energy solution and improved network connectivity covering the park and watchtower will be implemented.

Collaborations and Community Engagement

Tech4Nature will be executed in partnership with KWS and the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI). Utilizing data-driven insights from the project, the partners aim to develop specific conservation measures for the reserve.

Adan Kala, Senior Deputy Director of Coastal Conservation Area at KWS, emphasized the necessity of thorough resource knowledge for effective wildlife protection: "To fulfill our mandate of conserving our wildlife in terrestrial and marine ecosystems, it's essential to have well-informed decisions based on reliable data. Partnering with Huawei and IUCN to deploy underwater cameras will facilitate data acquisition on marine mammals, corals, and fish, allowing for informed decision-making. This technology's advantage is its capacity to cover broader areas, gathering day and night data for accurate insights."

Moreover, the project includes community outreach efforts aimed at raising awareness about biodiversity changes over time and the presence of various species, especially those under threat or vulnerable.

The site will be assessed according to IUCN Green List Standards, with the aspiration that it receives Green List certification.

About Tech4Nature

The Tech4Nature alliance was launched in 2020 by Huawei and IUCN to expand successful nature conservation through technological innovation. In alignment with Huawei's TECH4ALL initiative and the IUCN Green List, Tech4Nature has supported 11 flagship projects across eight countries, providing tailored solutions to conservation challenges.
Learn more about Tech4Nature at Tech4Nature Website.

About TECH4ALL

TECH4ALL is Huawei's long-term digital inclusion initiative and action plan. Designed to enable inclusion and sustainability in the digital world through innovative technologies and partnerships, you can find further details at Huawei TECH4ALL.

Conclusion

The Tech4Nature project represents a significant stride towards preserving Kenya's vital marine ecosystems, demonstrating that collaborative efforts can lead to innovative solutions. As technology plays an increasing role in conservation, initiatives like Tech4Nature give hope for the future of biodiversity on our planet.