With advances in satellite data and machine learning artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, researchers have created a model that has successfully estimated fish stocks with 85 percent accuracy in the Western Indian Ocean pilot region.

Timothy McClanahan from the Wildlife Conservation Society, and co-authors, used years of fish abundance data combined with satellite measurements and an AI tool to produce the model. They have developed a simple, easy to use pilot tool to better understand and manage our oceans. With further development, it is hoped that anyone from anywhere in the world would be able to input seven easily accessible data points – such as distance from shore, water temperature, ocean productivity, existing fisheries management, and water depth — and receive back an accurate fish stock estimate for their nearshore ecosystems.

The potential of this tool is to get data quickly and cheaply into the hands of local and national governments, so they can make informed decisions about their natural resources and keep “blue foods” on the table.

To read the paper  click here