Huawei's TECH4ALL initiative supports a new project in Kenya that aims to conserve coral reefs and improve marine biodiversity through data-driven conservation.
 |
| AI and advanced technology are being used to combat illegal fishing and protect endangered species in Kenya's Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park. Image: Tech4All |
Nairobi, Kenya – January 11, 2025:
Huawei, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) have joined forces to launch a groundbreaking Tech4Nature project aimed at safeguarding coral reefs and biodiversity within Kenya's Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park and Reserve.
This three-year initiative, aligned with Huawei's TECH4ALL digital inclusion initiative and IUCN's Green List standards, seeks to enhance the park's monitoring and management effectiveness.
Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park and Reserve, situated on Kenya's southern coast, faces several conservation challenges, including illegal fishing, limited human resources for effective monitoring, and insufficient awareness within local communities.
The Tech4Nature project leverages cutting-edge technology to address these challenges. Underwater cameras, photogrammetry, and audio monitoring systems will be deployed to gather crucial data on marine life, including the biomass and population of parrotfish, a keystone species crucial for reef health. The system will also monitor substrate cover, seagrass, and the presence of endangered and threatened species like green sea turtles and bottlenose dolphins.
Artificial intelligence will play a vital role in analyzing the collected data, identifying target species, and detecting illegal fishing activities. Real-time alerts will be sent to rangers, enabling swift intervention.
Improved network connectivity and a dedicated digital power solution will ensure the seamless transfer of data to cloud servers for AI-powered analysis.
The project emphasizes community engagement, raising awareness about biodiversity changes and the importance of protecting threatened species.
"This technology is a groundbreaking development for marine conservation in Kenya," stated Innocent Kabenga, Country Representative of the IUCN Country Office in Kenya. "It will not only enhance data collection and management but also support the park in achieving IUCN Green List certification, ensuring its long-term sustainability."
By combining advanced technology with local expertise, this collaborative effort aims to safeguard Kenya's precious marine ecosystems for future generations.