Drones driven by AI will track illegal fishing in African waters

By Katy Scott, CNN

Updated 5:55 AM ET, Wed August 15, 2018

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In Africa, drones are being used to <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2016/08/10/africa/blood-drones-rwanda-mpa/index.html" target="_blank">deliver life-saving supplies</a> and serve as <a href="https://money.cnn.com/2018/02/15/technology/aerobotics-farm-app-drones/index.html" target="_blank">eyes in the sky</a>. Moroccan startup ATLAN Space has developed smart drones that can identify and report environmental crimes like illegal fishing, poaching or mining.
Photos: How drones are transforming Africa
In Africa, drones are being used to deliver life-saving supplies and serve as eyes in the sky. Moroccan startup ATLAN Space has developed smart drones that can identify and report environmental crimes like illegal fishing, poaching or mining.
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Equipped with artificial intelligence, the drones operate autonomously, are able to identify illegal activity, and can transmit information to authorities in real-time.
Photos: How drones are transforming Africa
Equipped with artificial intelligence, the drones operate autonomously, are able to identify illegal activity, and can transmit information to authorities in real-time.
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ATLAN Space will implement a pilot project to combat illegal fishing in the Seychelles in October.
Photos: How drones are transforming Africa
ATLAN Space will implement a pilot project to combat illegal fishing in the Seychelles in October.
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The Seychelles currently uses light aircraft and vessels for surveillance and interception. ATLAN Space plans to help with the monitoring and work alongside the coast guard to curb illegal activity.
Photos: How drones are transforming Africa
The Seychelles currently uses light aircraft and vessels for surveillance and interception. ATLAN Space plans to help with the monitoring and work alongside the coast guard to curb illegal activity.
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ATLAN Space is one of many startups innovating with drone technology on the continent. In Rwanda, a Silicon Valley startup <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2016/08/10/africa/blood-drones-rwanda-mpa/index.html" target="_blank">Zipline</a> is delivering urgent medical supplies to rural areas.
Photos: How drones are transforming Africa
ATLAN Space is one of many startups innovating with drone technology on the continent. In Rwanda, a Silicon Valley startup Zipline is delivering urgent medical supplies to rural areas.
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Zipline drones deliver vaccines and blood for transfusions directly to hospitals and clinics in approximately 30 minutes.
Photos: How drones are transforming Africa
Zipline drones deliver vaccines and blood for transfusions directly to hospitals and clinics in approximately 30 minutes.
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The startup has since extended operations to <a href="https://money.cnn.com/2017/08/24/technology/east-africa-drones/index.html" target="_blank">Tanzania</a>.
Photos: How drones are transforming Africa
The startup has since extended operations to Tanzania.
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In 2016, British architect Norman Foster designed the world's first <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/style/gallery/rwanda-droneport-foster-epfl/index.html" target="_blank">"airport for drones"</a> in Rwanda.<br />
Photos: How drones are transforming Africa
In 2016, British architect Norman Foster designed the world's first "airport for drones" in Rwanda.
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The idea is for these droneports to function as hubs to allow recharging, cargo loading and dropoff, as well as repairs.<br />
Photos: How drones are transforming Africa
The idea is for these droneports to function as hubs to allow recharging, cargo loading and dropoff, as well as repairs.
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In Malawi, UNICEF ran trials to use drones to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malawi-hiv-drones-idUSKCN0XH1ZN" target="_blank">deliver HIV tests</a> to remote parts of the country in 2016.
Photos: How drones are transforming Africa
In Malawi, UNICEF ran trials to use drones to deliver HIV tests to remote parts of the country in 2016.
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Last year, UNICEF and the Malawian government set up a <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2017/07/01/africa/malawi-unicef-aid/index.html" target="_blank">drone testing corridor</a> in Lilongwe to investigate how drones can be used for humanitarian work.
Photos: How drones are transforming Africa
Last year, UNICEF and the Malawian government set up a drone testing corridor in Lilongwe to investigate how drones can be used for humanitarian work.
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Universities, startups and private sector companies have used drones to map cholera outbreaks and mosquito breeding sites in the corridor.
Photos: How drones are transforming Africa
Universities, startups and private sector companies have used drones to map cholera outbreaks and mosquito breeding sites in the corridor.
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Community-based project <a href="http://ramanihuria.org/" target="_blank">Ramani Huria</a> uses drones to capture high resolution imagery of previously unmapped areas in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Photos: How drones are transforming Africa
Community-based project Ramani Huria uses drones to capture high resolution imagery of previously unmapped areas in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
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