The Norwegian wild Atlantic salmon population has declined by 50% since the 1980s, due to threats from habitat loss and intrusion of its invasive cousin, the humpback salmon, and escaped farmed salmon. These invaders disrupt food chains, outcompete native species and degrade river ecosystems.
Huawei Tech4All and angling association, Berlevag JFF, launched a pioneering AI-based salmon filtering system in 2021. This employs an underwater camera and AI algorithm to distinguish between native and invasive fish species, with over 99% accuracy. The system features an automated gate that allows native salmon to pass but diverts invasive species into a holding tank for removal.
The system has reduced the manual labour involved in species sorting by 90%, preventing more than 6,000 invasive salmon from spawning upstream in two rivers in Norway in 2023. The solution protects native fish populations but also ensures the local river ecosystem remains sustainable and vibrant. The initiative highlights the power of technology in addressing environmental challenges, demonstrating substantial progress toward SDG 14: Life Below Water by conserving aquatic resources and SDG 15: Life on Land through ecosystem preservation.
