AI Solution Shows Early Success in Protecting Chinese White Dolphins – The Korea Herald

Report on the AI-Powered Conservation Initiative for Chinese White Dolphins in Xiamen Bay

Introduction: Aligning Technology with Sustainable Development Goals

A collaborative project has been launched in Xiamen Bay, China, to safeguard the vulnerable Chinese white dolphin population, a nationally protected species. This initiative, a partnership between Huawei, the Third Institute of Oceanography of the Ministry of Natural Resources, and China Mobile, leverages advanced technology to address critical environmental challenges. The project directly supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily SDG 14 (Life Below Water), by focusing on the conservation of a key marine species. It also contributes to SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

The Chinese white dolphin population in Xiamen Bay faces significant threats from human activities, including shipping, fishing, and coastal engineering, which lead to noise pollution, entanglement, and habitat loss. This project aims to mitigate these threats through data-driven conservation strategies.

Technological Framework and Innovation for Sustainable Development (SDG 9)

The project’s foundation is an innovative technological solution that integrates artificial intelligence and advanced telecommunications, demonstrating a commitment to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). The system replaces inefficient manual monitoring with a precise, automated framework.

• AI-Powered Recognition System: An AI feature recognition system identifies individual dolphins based on the unique markings of their dorsal fins. This allows for the creation of individual files to track health, reproductive dynamics, and social interactions.
• 5G-A Network Infrastructure: A 5G-A network, comprising 10 base stations, provides seamless coverage over 330 square kilometers of key conservation zones.
• Integrated Sensing and Communication: The system combines data from radar, visual terminals, satellites, and the Automatic Identification System (AIS) to monitor vessel movements in real-time within a 20-kilometer radius.
• Automated Alert System: AI-powered alerts are issued in seconds for maritime violations such as speeding or trespassing in protected zones, enabling rapid law enforcement response.

Preliminary Results and Contributions to Marine Conservation (SDG 14 & SDG 13)

After three months of operation, the project has yielded significant preliminary results that directly advance the objectives of SDG 14 (Life Below Water) by enhancing the protection of marine ecosystems.

1. The AI system has successfully identified 283 individual dolphins.
2. The system has compiled a database of over 230,000 high-resolution images.
3. Twelve vessels have been investigated for activities potentially endangering the dolphins.

These data-driven insights provide an essential basis for formulating precise conservation measures. By monitoring population dynamics, distribution, and breeding behavior, researchers can better understand and respond to threats, ensuring the long-term survival of the species.

Furthermore, the project supports SDG 13 (Climate Action). The Chinese white dolphin is a vital component of the nearshore marine ecosystem, which functions as a carbon sink. The dolphins’ role at the top of a food chain that includes fish and carbon-absorbing plankton underscores the importance of their protection for maintaining the ocean’s capacity to mitigate climate change.

Conclusion: A Model for Collaborative Action (SDG 17)

This initiative serves as a powerful example of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), showcasing a successful multi-stakeholder collaboration between the private sector, government research institutions, and public utilities. The application of AI and 5G-A technology is revealing critical information about the Xiamen Bay dolphin population, providing hope for their continued survival.

The data gathered over the next 10 to 15 years will be critical for the population’s growth. The project’s success demonstrates that technological innovation, when applied through strategic partnerships, can provide effective solutions for complex environmental challenges and make substantial contributions to global sustainability targets.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 14: Life Below Water – The primary focus of the article is the conservation of a marine species, the Chinese white dolphin, and the protection of its marine ecosystem in Xiamen Bay.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The project is a multi-stakeholder collaboration between a private technology company (Huawei), a government research institution (Third Institute of Oceanography), and another private company (China Mobile).
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The article highlights the use of advanced technological innovation (AI, 5G-A networks) and digital infrastructure to solve a conservation challenge.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – The article explicitly connects the protection of the dolphin population to the health of the marine ecosystem and its role as a carbon sink, thereby linking biodiversity conservation to climate change mitigation.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• Target 14.2: “By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts…” The entire project is dedicated to protecting the Chinese white dolphin’s habitat in Xiamen Bay from threats like shipping, fishing, and coastal engineering, which directly supports the management and protection of this marine ecosystem.
• Target 14.5: “By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas…” The project focuses on monitoring and law enforcement within “key conservation zones” covering 330 square kilometers of the bay area, contributing to the effective conservation of a critical marine area.
• Target 14.a: “Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology…” The project uses advanced AI and 5G-A technology to enhance scientific research. The article states, “The data-driven insights yielded by AI are helping conservationists formulate targeted protection measures,” which is a direct application of technology to increase scientific knowledge for conservation.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” The project is a clear example of a public-private partnership, involving Huawei (private), China Mobile (private), and the Third Institute of Oceanography under China’s Ministry of Natural Resources (public/government).

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

• Target 9.5: “Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries…and substantially increase the number of research and development workers…” The project demonstrates the application of cutting-edge technology (AI-powered recognition system, 5G-A network) to enhance scientific research for conservation, showcasing an upgrade in technological capabilities for environmental monitoring.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• Target 13.3: “Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation…” The article raises awareness by explaining the link between the dolphins, the marine food chain, plankton, and the ocean’s function as a carbon sink. It states that “protecting the dolphin population and the integrity of the ocean ecosystem is critical to helping address climate change.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress.

Indicators for SDG 14 (Life Below Water)

• Population dynamics data: The article mentions that the AI system provides data on “the number, distribution, age structure, and breeding behavior of the dolphins,” which are direct indicators of the health of the species and the effectiveness of conservation measures (related to Target 14.2).
• Area of coverage: The 5G-A network covers “330 square kilometers of the bay area, achieving seamless coverage of key conservation zones,” which is a quantifiable measure of the conserved marine area (related to Target 14.5).
• Enforcement actions: The article states that “12 vessels have been investigated for potentially endangering the dolphins.” This number serves as an indicator of monitoring and enforcement activities to reduce threats from shipping (related to Target 14.2).
• Real-time monitoring alerts: The system’s ability to deliver “AI-powered alerts in seconds for violations such as boundary trespass or speeding” is an indicator of improved management and protection capabilities (related to Target 14.2).

Indicators for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

• Existence of a multi-stakeholder partnership: The collaboration between Huawei, the Third Institute of Oceanography, and China Mobile is itself an indicator of a functioning public-private partnership (related to Target 17.17).

Indicators for SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)

• Deployment of advanced infrastructure: The installation of a “5G-A network comprising 10 base stations” is a concrete indicator of the development of advanced digital infrastructure for a specific purpose (related to Target 9.5).
• Application of innovative technology: The development and use of the “AI-powered solution designed to study and safeguard Chinese white dolphins” is a key indicator of technological innovation being applied to scientific research (related to Target 9.5).

Indicators for SDG 13 (Climate Action)

• Dissemination of knowledge: The article itself, by explaining the connection between dolphin conservation and the ocean’s role as a carbon sink, acts as a tool for awareness-raising. The reach and impact of such communications can be considered a qualitative indicator (related to Target 13.3).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: koreaherald.com