Mote Marine Laboratory is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a substantial grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation to support an innovative project aimed at enhancing marine animal tracking through the use of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology. This five-year project, titled “PACSP TOOLS: EPICS: Explainable AI-Driven Individual Photo-Identification and Tracking for Cost-effective Conservation Study,” will significantly improve the accuracy and efficiency of tracking Florida manatees and other marine species.
Mote Marine Laboratory’s Manatee Research Program has been at the forefront of manatee conservation and research for over 30 years. The program has focused on understanding manatee behavioral ecology, population demographics, and habitat use, providing critical scientific data to guide conservation policy and management. One of the primary tools used by biologists is photo-identification, in which manatees with distinctive markers (scars, mutilations, deformities, etc.) are photographically documented and incorporated into an image management database to identify individuals and compile sighting histories. Photo-ID plays a crucial role in identifying individual manatees and tracking their survival and reproductive rates over time. These metrics are vital for state and federal assessments of the manatee population’s health and recovery.
The NSF-funded project, led by Florida Atlantic University in collaboration with Mote Marine Laboratory, Old Dominion University and William & Mary, will leverage AI to streamline and enhance the photo-identification process, making it more cost-effective and scalable. This new system, known as “EPICS,” will allow researchers to track manatees and potentially other marine species with unprecedented precision. The insights gained from this project will be instrumental in shaping conservation strategies and ensuring the long-term survival of these iconic animals.
“We are thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking project,” said Dr. Cathy Walsh, Co-Principal Investigator (PI) and Mote Senior Scientist. “The development of this AI-driven system represents a significant advancement in our ability to monitor and protect Florida’s manatees and other marine species. The tools developed through this project will be invaluable for conservation efforts and will help us better understand the challenges these animals face in a rapidly changing environment.”
The EPICS system will also enhance Mote’s ongoing efforts to balance human activities with the sustainability of manatees and their habitats. Long-term photo-identification and aerial surveys have been critical tools for managing the coexistence of manatees and human activities in Florida’s inland and coastal waters. The new AI technology will build on these efforts, providing more precise and timely data to inform management decisions.
This project exemplifies Mote Marine Laboratory’s commitment to advancing science-based conservation solutions and underscores the importance of innovative technologies in addressing the complex challenges facing marine wildlife. The collaboration between AI experts and conservation scientists will pave the way for new approaches to wildlife monitoring and protection, with the potential to benefit species conservation worldwide.
“Our work has always been rooted in rigorous science and a deep commitment to conservation. The EPICS system will build upon decades of research and take our capabilities to the next level,” said Sheri Barton, Senior Biologist in Mote’s Manatee Research Program. “By harnessing the power of AI, we can analyze vast amounts of data more efficiently and with greater accuracy, ultimately improving our understanding of manatee populations and their habitats. This will be a game-changer for both our research and the conservation of manatees in Florida and beyond.”
This research is one of 10 projects receiving funding under the Partnership to Advance Conservation Science and Practice (PACSP) program, a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the U.S. National Science Foundation and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. Now in its second year, the program is designed to catalyze deep collaboration between researchers advancing basic science and conservation partners engaging in on-the-ground conservation.
“The fundamental knowledge these projects create, even though related to specific species, will unlock innovative conservation efforts across a broader range of threatened species and ecosystems,” said Lara Littlefield, executive director for programs and partnerships at the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. “For instance, studying whether mosquitos infected with bacteria can limit the spread of malaria among birds in Hawaii could ultimately limit disease spread among other animals more broadly.”
Each project extends basic science into on-the-ground conservation to address critical knowledge and data gaps, enabling greater real-world impact to benefit species and ecosystems.
“The unique partnerships this program creates forge a roadmap to broader conservation action by uniting the skills, expertise and tools needed to address the most urgent threats to our natural world,” said Susan Marqusee, NSF assistant director for biological sciences. “These projects also will engage the public, policymakers, law enforcement and others in conservation through education, outreach and other broader impacts.”
Mote Marine Laboratory is grateful for the support of NSF and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation and looks forward to the positive impact this project will have on marine conservation.
For more information about Mote Marine Laboratory’s Manatee Research Program and its ongoing conservation efforts, please visit mote.org/research/program/manatee-research.
About U.S. National Science Foundation
The U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and innovation. With a Fiscal Year 2024 budget of $9.06 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts. For more information about the Partnership to Advance Conservation Science and Practice program and to view the full list of awards and awardee, visit nsf.gov.
About Paul G. Allen Family Foundation
Founded in 1988 by philanthropists Jody Allen and the late Paul G. Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, the foundation works to enhance the arts and culture experience, mobilize young people to drive change, and advance science and technology solutions that address wildlife conservation, ocean health and climate change. The foundation also funds cutting-edge research in all areas of bioscience though the Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group.