Addressing the labor-intensive and outdated techniques of traditional coral health analysis, Angela Alegria, a Colombian marine biologist, harnesses the power of artificial intelligence on Providencia Island, as the selected participant for Reef Support's 3D photogrammetry project, funded by WWF Netherlands INNO-fonds to carry out R&D with Corales de Paz.
With the support of the University of Amsterdam, our CTO Yohan Runhaar carried out research to explore advanced methods for coral classification and segmentation, addressing limitations in current approaches. By leveraging computer vision techniques, the study offers a pathway to enhance efficiency and precision in assessing coral reef health using innovative AI techniques.
Marc Baauw conducted this research as part of his MSc studies in GIMA, a program offered by TU Delft, Wageningen University, Utrecht University, and the University of Twente. His aim was to gain insights into the differences between two rugosity calculation approaches using SFM-based photogrammetry.
During the AI for Coral Bleaching Hackathon organized by the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, the Reef Support team used the k-means segmentation technique to detect live coral cover and coral bleaching extent. This was a critical step in creating an accurate AI model to predict coral bleaching events and identify healthy and unhealthy coral reefs.
In this blog, we'll explore how you can contribute to the conservation of coral reefs and help advance marine research through Open Coral AI. With just a few simple steps, you can take part in a global effort to monitor and protect coral reefs, even if you're not a marine scientist or conservationist.
Reef Support was invited to take place in the Ocean Innovation Africa event in Cape Town, as an exhibitor and challenge owner. Together with OceanHub Africa, the hosts of the event, we presented one of the challenges part of the Ocean Hackathon ®.
On the 23rd of April, students of TU Delft were invited to participate in the 2021 Hackathon organised by YES!Delft Students and work on a case of Reef Support.
On the 1st of June, Reef Support had the incredible opportunity to present the factors contributing to the demise of coral reefs around the world at Lycée Français Vincent Van Gogh.
Reef Support has decided to collaborate with FruitPunch AI to set up a 2 month (Oct - Dec 2021) Hackathon, inviting data scientists to analyze underwater photographs to infer the health and growth of coral reefs. Learn more about how you can join this amazingly impactful challenge!
In September 2021, Reef Support’s vision for strong international coordination and community building of an ocean prediction capacity for the future has led to a science programme submitted to the UN Decade of Ocean Science.
Motivated by their goal to socio-environmentally improve the world we live in, 4 Reef Students of TU Delft are closely working together, in the context of their ongoing studies, with Reef Support and an inspiring non-governmental organisation, the Indonesia Biru Foundation (IBF) to kickstart the decade of ocean regeneration with a community-driven coral lab!
At the start of 2021, we have had the opportunity to begin an incredible journey and partnership with the Coral Restoration NGO, Indonesia Biru Foundation (IBF), based on the island of Lombok, Indonesia.
The 4 Reef Students are making great progress: signing their first contract, breaking first ground on the lab, gaining their Open Water PADI certificate, and having their first restoration dive! Click to read more on the story, where we thank the sponsors and tell you how to get more involved, by T-shirts, or by citizen science.
