Intelligent Image Based Marine Biofouling Species Classification and Density Estimation.

Our build, AquaVision AI, will be an intelligent image-based system for marine biofouling species classification and density estimation. We will build it to solve a real problem faced by naval forces, shipping companies, and marine researchers – the time-consuming and expensive process of manual underwater inspections. By using computer vision, deep learning, and real-time image processing, AquaVision will automatically identify fouling species like barnacles and algae, map their density, and provide actionable insights for maintenance planning. This will help others by saving fuel costs, reducing operational downtime, improving mission readiness, and preventing ecological damage caused by invasive species. Researchers and port authorities will also be able to use it for monitoring and environmental compliance. You will be able to learn more about the datasets we will use from the Figshare Marine Biofouling Dataset and explore similar underwater vision tools on YOLOv8 and U-Net.