Saving Humphead with a Snap

This lovely fish is endangered due to overfishing. It has high market value yet is naturally uncommon and so it is exceptionally susceptible to overexploitation. This situation resulted in an ‘Endangered’ listing on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and inclusion in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix II in 2004, and then management tools were developed. CITES seeks to manage international trade of threatened species within sustainable levels. Unfortunately, despite regulations and protection in many countries, illegal fishing and trade continue and are a significant threat to the species.

'SavingFace', a novel mobile app, was developed as an additional management tool to improve CITES enforcement of Humphead Wrasse trade to ensure it is legal. The app utilizes facial recognition technology, based on the species' distinctive markings, for quick identification of individuals. Users can photograph Humphead Wrasse being traded with the app's AI and compare images against a database of previously recorded fish. A new individual detected that does not match the database records could be illegal (for more details please see here).

With the Humphead Wrasse trade tracking analysis provided by ‘SavingFace’, users can alert authorities or researchers to potential illegal trade, providing photos, location and other relevant information. They can also use the app to conduct their own research. By combining advanced technology with community participation, this tool aims to enhance trade monitoring and law enforcement, and raise public awareness about the need to protect this endangered fish.