Scientists fight invasive fish with AI, unmanned kayaks

A boat with a camera and computer and blue flotation bag on a lake in Illinois wetland — A semi-autonomous watercraft outfitted with GPS and sonar that is part of a project mapping invasive fish species at Emiquon Preserve.

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons

Illinois scientists are fighting invasive fish with AI and unmanned kayaks

Invasive species like bighead carp are damaging wetlands and fisheries in Illinois, but a high-tech innovation could solve the problem.

A semi-autonomous watercraft outfitted with GPS and sonar that is part of a project mapping invasive fish species at Emiquon Preserve.

By Lynnea Domienik

Scientists are equipping semi-autonomous watercraft with GPS and using AI to gather data on invasive fish in the Emiquon Wetland south of Peoria, Illinois. Over time, the novel approach could help them remove silver, bighead and common carp, three invasive species that are hurting the ecosystem.

Reset learns more about the project.

GUESTS: Randy Smith, The Nature Conservancy Illinois River Project Director

Josey Ridgway, U.S. Geological Survey fish biologist

Karen Weigert, director of Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility