The Queensland government has funded an innovative demonstration project to improve public safety in areas near crocodiles. They funded an initial $100,000 grant for them to continue building a prototype buoy. This floating sensor platform will employ cutting edge sonar and AI technologies. This crocodile-detecting system with a unique and potentially life-saving capability is the winner of real-time measures. It’s targeted to the high-risk areas such as boat ramps and swimming holes, where local residents and visitors typically congregate.
The initiative, primarily led by Peter Jarvis, has focused on constructing a prototype that demonstrates the safe and effective use of integrated sonar technology backed with artificial intelligence capabilities. As such, this final design has just recently entered a testing phase. Despite this trial expected to only last ten months, we have yet to pin down a start date. We will deploy the buoy in areas with high crocodile abundances, where it can both collect valuable data and be tested for its efficacy.
Addressing Safety Concerns
Bree James, a smart transportation advocate, focused on the core importance of this technology. It has an immensely important role in continuing to protect all who travel the waters in the Far North. “Public safety is our top priority, and this innovative and world-first crocodile detection buoy could be a game-changer for high-risk locations like boat ramps and swimming areas,” she stated.
Boat ramps have been identified as sites of high-risk crocodile interactions. James said it was her aspiration for the technology to change the way in which Far North Queenslanders engage with their local waterways. “We love our freshwater swimming, we love our beach, we love our water, but we all know that we have to be croc-wise in croc country,” she added.
The buoy’s sonar system provides continual detection and monitoring of movements in its vicinity. It sends out warnings when a crocodile is spotted within 25 metres or recently sighted. Peter Jarvis demonstrated how the system would alert users through light and audio alerts. It is able to generate warning messages via smartphone apps, too. “That can provide that real-time warning system to the public,” he noted.
Previous Research and Future Development
Simon Booth, one of the trial participants, had this to say about the initiative. He emphasized that it’s an important extension of previous research aimed at using sonar to detect wildlife. He knew the value of grasping the technology’s limitations. In doing so, at a minimum, he succeeded in ensuring that stakeholders are educated about the possible dangers at play. “I guess the intent of this is to improve crocodile safety and that’s paramount in Queensland,” he affirmed.
Booth noted that it was critical to select a testing site with plenty of crocodile activity. Doing this will ensure that we’re capturing consistent, quality data. “It’s likely to be in the vicinity of Cairns… but we do want to pick somewhere that has a reasonably high presence of crocodiles so we can get good data,” he explained. This rigorous selection process is designed to best optimize the buoy’s effectiveness and proactively solve any issues the buoy’s operation may raise.
Ethical Considerations
While the technology promises to enhance safety, it raises ethical questions regarding the potential misuse of information related to crocodile sightings. FHA Administrator Simon Booth recognized these concerns. To his credit, he acknowledged that the Nature Conservation Act 1992, which prohibits the intentional harm of crocodiles, is an important piece of legislation.
Peter Jarvis won the audience over with a promise that the system would be user-friendly enough to send alerts. It would help give them life-saving information about crocodile activity near them. “Or allow the public in an area … to walk up to a platform, press on the system and be informed when a croc was last seen in that area,” he stated.
