Researchers Develop World's First Facial Recognition App Used to Safeguard Endangered Fish Species

Facial recognition technology isn't for humans only. In Hong Kong, it is now being used to safeguard species of endangered coral reef fish.

(Photo : Francesco Ungaro)

The Free App 

In a world first, scientists at the University of Hong Kong have developed a facial recognition app to help in the identification of individual humphead wrasse fish. The valuable fish - added to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species since 2004 - is seen as a delicacy among wealthy diners in Hong Kong and can cost as much as US$385 per pound (US$850 a kilo).

The free app, called Saving Face - ready for release next month - makes use of unique eye markings of humpheads to help enforcement officials, restaurateurs and also members of the public, differentiate between authorized and unauthorized traded fish.

 HKU marine biologist Yvonne Sadovy, comparing the intricate markings to fingerprints said: "Our research discovered that you can recognize individual humpheads by the incredibly complex markings seen on the sides of their face."

Also Read: Coral Reefs in Danger, Fish Are the Answer

Global Trade of This Species

 It was given its name because of its bulbous forehead, the humphead can develop up to two metres in length and take about four to five years to get to adulthood in the wild, but most are traded as juveniles. Being slow in their maturity, usually caught before getting to adulthood - and having a high prized market value - makes the species susceptible to over­fishing, and has brought up concerns about the sustainability of its exploitation.

The species was kept under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, in 2005, in order to control the global trade through the release of export permits by source countries to make sure trade in the species would not affect its population in a negative way. Indonesia is the only authorised exporter of the humphead wrasse, and Hong Kong is a chief importer, with plenty of it being re-exported to mainland China.

(Photo : Nadia Chiesi)

The Major Enforcement Challenge 

HKU's Loby Hau Cheuk-yu, a driving force backing the app project, says restaurants in Hong Kong stocking the species can only sell a minimal quota and must show a possession licence, as required by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), that also needs dealers to record any trade in the species, both buying and selling the fish between dealers and to customers.

But due to the fact that there is no physical labelling of individual fish, Hau says sellers can replenish stocks easily with unauthorize sourced and unregistered humpheads that are sneaked into Hong Kong with other fish shipments.

Hau said: "AFCD enforcement officials have no way of keeping record of their numbers, this inability to track and trace individual fish brings about major enforcement challenge because of the inability to differentiate between authorised and unauthorised imported fish." 

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