AI in Marine Conservation: Monitoring Oceans with Machine Learning and Remote Sensing
Authors:-Bhumika. M
Abstract-:Marine ecosystems are among the most biologically diverse yet vulnerable environments on the planet, facing significant threats from climate change, pollution, and overexploitation. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly being leveraged to monitor and protect these fragile ecosystems through innovations in machine learning and remote sensing. This paper explores the integration of AI technologies in marine conservation, detailing their applications in species identification, coral reef monitoring, illegal fishing detection, and marine habitat mapping. Drawing from recent advancements, the study highlights how satellite imagery, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and acoustic sensors, coupled with AI algorithms, are enabling more precise and timely environmental assessments. Ethical and regulatory considerations, including data privacy in territorial waters, fairness in conservation resource allocation, and inclusivity in global biodiversity goals, are discussed. Challenges such as limited annotated data, sensor constraints, and interpretability of AI models are examined. The paper concludes with a forward-looking view on emerging technologies, collaborative platforms, and policy developments that aim to scale and democratize AI-based marine conservation globally.
