Revolutionizing Marine Science: AIMS Develops RapidBenthos for Efficient Seafloor Analysis

Advancements in technology have enabled scientists to delve deeper into the mysteries of the ocean, with the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) leading the way with their groundbreaking machine-learning method, RapidBenthos.

RapidBenthos has transformed the way data about large areas of the sea floor is processed and classified. This innovative method can extract a wealth of information from photomosaics of coral reefs, automating the analysis of mosaics stitched together from thousands of seafloor images. This automation saves scientists approximately 60 hours of manual analysis per mosaic, allowing for more efficient and accurate data processing.

One of the key applications of RapidBenthos is in monitoring coral reefs, coral bleaching, and seagrass meadows. By providing timely and detailed information, this method empowers scientists to make informed decisions that are crucial for the conservation and management of marine ecosystems.

Lead author of the study, AIMS machine learning/AI engineer Tiny Remmers, emphasized the significance of RapidBenthos in scaling up seafloor imagery processing in a sustainable and cost-effective manner. This development marks a significant step forward in marine science research and ecological monitoring.

Dr. Renata Ferrari, an ecosystem modeller at AIMS, highlighted the collaborative effort that made RapidBenthos possible. Years of dedication from a multidisciplinary team of researchers have culminated in the creation of this innovative method, which has the potential to support numerous projects at AIMS and beyond.