Classification and Annotation of Marine Vertebrate Targets in High-Resolution Imagery to Support the Atlantic Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (AMAPPS)

Project Description: The primary objective of this project is to classify wildlife targets from high-resolution aerial imagery collected by AMAPPS to the lowest possible taxonomic level (Family, Genus, Species) and identify attributes for each target, when possible, such as age, sex, and behavior. These classifications and attributes will be conducted using an imagery annotation tool developed at USGS-UMESC (CVAT). Importantly, the results of image classification and annotation will provide the foundational elements for developing machine learning algorithms to automate species identification and enumeration.

Lead Principal Investigator: Dr. David Mizrahi, New Jersey Audubon

Partner Institution: New Jersey Audubon

Federal Agency: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Federal Agency Technical Contact: Dr. Timothy White

Project Type: Research

Project Discipline: Natural Resources

Project Sub-Discipline(s): Biological (Ecology, Fish, Wildlife, Vegetation, T&E), Water (FW & Marine)

Start Year: 2022

End Year: 2025

Initial Funding Amount: $323,237.74

Federal Grant Number: M23AC00001