How artificial intelligence is helping the lobster industry

Key points

• Scientists from the University of Tasmania are using artificial intelligence to recognise individual southern rock lobsters from photographs of their shells. The technology works like a fingerprint scan, so a lobster can be traced from where it was caught to where it is sold.
• Exporters say this could help prove the origin of Tasmanian lobsters and win trust in overseas markets. The team is now training the system to record size, sex, colour, defects and vitality.
• Researchers also hope fishers can contribute data, which could help set more accurate and sustainable catch advice for government.