The first AI-based mobile app for shark and ray fin identification to combat illegal wildlife trade
Fin Finder is a mobile application that supports customs inspectors in the rapid identification of shark and ray species. This first version has achieved a species classification across an initial set of 35 elasmobranch (shark and ray) species, of which 14 are listed on CITES Appendix II. Initial machine learning models in Fin Finder were developed using over 15,000 fin images obtained through collaborations with scientific and conservation experts, importers in Singapore and international organizations involved in wildlife protection. Future versions of Fin Finder anticipate improvements in species- and genus-level prediction accuracy and support for new species.
Fin Finder is a project managed by Wild Me with pilot funding from Microsoft and Rumah Foundation. Singapore’s National Parks Board is the piloting partner and an instrumental contributor in the development of the app.
We anticipate scaling adoption of Fin Finder through other jurisdictions to fight illegal wildlife trade. We welcome interest from customs and enforcement agencies to explore the opportunity. Contact us at [email protected].
