AI-powered Fish Trap to Protect Norwegian Rivers

Protecting native salmon population against invasive species

Partners: Huawei, Berlevåg Jeger og Fiskerforening, Troll Systems

Description

Simula, in collaboration with Berlevåg Hunting and Fishing Association, Troll Systems, and Huawei, has developed an AI-driven fish sorting system aimed at protecting Norway's native salmon species from the invasive pink salmon.

This fully autonomous system, deployed as a prototype in the Storelva river in 2022, utilizes advanced image classification technology to distinguish between native species like Atlantic salmon and sea trout, and the invasive humpback (pink) salmon. The system controls a fish trap mechanism that allows native species to pass through, while the pink salmon are redirected into a separate holding area.

Simula's contribution included delivering a complete digital solution, from online pink salmon detection and automated control of the sorting mechanism to providing a user-friendly visual interface for monitoring the system in real time. Over the course of three years, this solution has been deployed across multiple rivers to safeguard Norway’s river ecosystems.

Impact

The AI-powered fish trap has proven to be highly effective in reducing the threat posed by the invasive pink salmon, which endangers the local salmon population and disrupts river ecosystems. By preventing the pink salmon from entering Norwegian rivers, the system has helped protect native species and maintain ecological balance by stopping over 10,000 humpback salmon entering the rivers.

The successful deployment of this solution has led to increased coverage across additional rivers in 2023 and 2024, further improving conservation efforts.

The project’s innovative approach has been recognized with several awards, including:

• The “Special Jury Award” at the World AI Cannes Festival 2022.
• “Outstanding Mobile Contribution” prize for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in the Mobile World Congress 2024 in Barcelona.
• GeSI Digital with Purpose (DWP) Award 2024 and the DWP Biodiversity Award 2024

Media references:

• Kan kunstig intelligens vinne krigen mot pukkellaksen? (NRK)
• Bruker kunstig intelligens for å stoppe pukkellaksen (NRK)

Tools and methods

• Computer Vision
  • Image segmentation
• MLOps
• Edge-deployment
• Full-stack development

Key Personnel

Developed by Simula's Department of Applied AI.