Swiss high-tech protects reefs in the Maldives

(CONNECT) The Stream Foundation and the telecommunications company Ooredoo Maldives are expanding the monitoring of the reef ecosystem on the Maldevid Islands. In the third year of their partnership, the two are now working together with the Maldives Coral Institute to expand the successful project to monitor fish species, the condition of corals and biodiversity off the coast of the Maldives island of Fulhadhoo to other marine regions of the Maldives, according to a press release from the Zurich-based foundation.

To do this, they are using Stream Ocean 's artificial intelligence-based solution for the real-time monitoring of marine life. The environmental technology company, which is also based in Zumikon, acts as a partner of the non-profit Stream Foundation. The monitoring system provides valuable data even in remote marine areas with the help of modern underwater cameras and thanks to Ooredoo's high-speed connection. Videos of the live streams are posted online by the Maldives Coral Institute.

In addition, the system not only enables images of coral bleaching, but also regularly shows recovery phases. Those involved see this as an “encouraging sign of the resilience of this sensitive ecosystem”. Continuous monitoring allows environmental protection organizations and authorities to access information directly, identify changes at an early stage and quickly develop targeted protective measures.

“We believe in the power of technology to drive positive change - for the protection of marine biodiversity, which is essential for both the local population and tourism,” Ooredoo CEO Kahlid Al-Hamadi is quoted as saying. The Stream Foundation is pursuing similar projects in several regions of the world, for example in Zanzibar, the Philippines and off the Caribbean island of Barbuda. ce/mm