China is using AI facial ID to track migrating fish in Tibet’s largest river

Round-the-clock tracking system helps to identify and monitor species travelling through a dam fishway on the Yarlung Tsangpo River

Monitoring the route once relied on labour-intensive manual counts, but it now uses an AI-based “fish facial recognition” system to identify species unique to the Tibet autonomous region, according to a report published by Global Times on Tuesday.

“On the contrary, the aquatic ecology and animal-plant life in the entire middle gorge section of the Yarlung Tsangpo River have shown positive changes,” Yang added.

Hydropower facilities offer flood protection and a reliable renewable energy source to offset intermittent renewables such as solar and wind. But they also pose significant environmental challenges due to the restructuring of natural water bodies.