Using AI In Mussel Farms To Keep Whales Safe In South Africa

The growing demand for rope grown mussels from aquaculture farms near the West Coast National Park poses a risk to whales. As the industry expands it's expected that more whales could become entangled in the ropes where they could be hurt or die and damage the farming infrastructure. The WWF have partnered to upgrade the existing monitoring systems which rely on visual sightings. The new early warning system is equipped with infrared thermal imaging cameras and Detecting whales in real time allows aquaculture operators to take immediate action to prevent entanglement. If there's an entanglement the system automatically alerts an emergency response team. This system has influenced new policies that the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment will use to issue aquaculture permits. It positions mussel farms in Saldina Bay favorably helping secure livelihoods and allows whales to thrive alongside mussel farms.