Scientists from the CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect the presence of soniferous (grunting) fish species off the coast of Goa. The study, published in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, reveals the positive health of Goa’s marine ecology, highlighting Tiger Perch, Croaker, and Snapping Shrimp.
The researchers identified four species—Terapon theraps (Tiger Perch or Korkoro), Sciaenidae (Croaker), and Snapping Shrimp—by analyzing their sounds using AI-based algorithms. Conducted underwater from Grande Island within the Zuari estuary, the study was particularly focused on the pre-monsoon period.
Traditionally, decoding such findings would have taken months, but the team achieved swift results by employing an AI algorithm that accurately identified the fish species in a matter of minutes using recorded sounds.
Bishwajit Chakraborty, former Chief Scientist of NIO, explained, “Our main objective for the AI/Machine Learning-based study was to identify fish sound from recorded data collected using passive acoustic techniques. The presence of these fish species in Goa was confirmed using passive acoustic sensors combined with AI. We could study the primary sources of biological sounds and differentiate between marine mammals, soniferous fish, and invertebrates.”
The study not only achieved its primary goal of identifying fish species but also provided insights into the health of Goa’s marine ecology.
Chakraborty emphasized, “The presence of these fish species off Goa’s coast indicates the health of our coastal reef system and the overall marine ecology. If the coral reefs are dead, then the fish won’t be active and produce sound.”
The researchers advocate for further studies and increased passive acoustic data collection, especially in shallow water regions like coral reefs, to monitor and safeguard the health of these vital ecosystems. They underscore the importance of programs and funding from various sources for ongoing research in ocean health using remote sensing techniques.
This pioneering research positions CSIR-NIO at the forefront of marine ecology studies in India, alongside the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, showcasing the potential of AI in advancing our understanding of underwater ecosystems.