Saving Humphead with a Snap
Capture Humphead facial patterns for AI-powered conservation tracking and protection efforts.
Current Capture
Analyzing facial patterns...
Matches
Latest News
September 6, 2025
SavingFace App Now Available on Google Play Store
March 26, 2025
Research Paper Published on AI for CITES Enforcement
December 7, 2024
BBC 'Asia' Series Features SavingFace
Our Mission
Sustaining Humphead Wrasse(Cheilinus undulatus)
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.
'SavingFace', a novel mobile app, was developed as an additional management tool to improve CITES enforcement of Humphead Wrasse trade. Users can photograph Humphead Wrasse being traded with the app's AI and compare images against a database. A new individual detected that does not match the database records could be illegal.
With the Humphead Wrasse trade tracking analysis provided by ‘SavingFace’, users can alert authorities or researchers to potential illegal trade. By combining advanced technology with community participation, this tool aims to enhance trade monitoring and law enforcement.
SavingFace is valuable to
Citizen Scientists and Professional Researchers
Citizen Science utilizes information from the interested general public to complement Researchers in advancing conservation goals through the collection and sharing of important information. This information can help to safeguard species through research, education and enforcement.
Collecting information about the presence of individual Humphead Wrasse by facial images, date and location in Hong Kong using the app is valuable for understanding volumes and timing of trade relative to legal imports.
Consumers
All Humphead Wrasse found in Hong Kong markets are caught from the wild and enter the city by air or by sea. Many are traded illegally contributing to their population decline. All shops selling live Humphead Wrasse from the wild should have a valid 'Licence to Possess' for the species issued by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD).