Bioboost+

Developing rapid, informative, and robust biodiversity assessments is crucial to evaluate progress in evidence-based conservation and management strategies of marine biodiversity. BioBoost+ is designed to improve non-invasive, cost- effective, and high-frequency sampling and identification of marine biota by applying state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology with digital imagery. These include real-time monitoring via camera networks and citizen science groups. These methods will be applied to a wide range of taxa, from habitat-forming species (seagrass meadows, shellfish beds, and macroalgal canopies), indicator species of ecological and economic importance (e.g. coastal fish, lobsters, shorebirds), invasive species, and understudied groups (from microscopic, free-floating animals to rare fish). BioBoost+ enhances biodiversity monitoring within European regional seas from the Mediterranean, North and Norwegian Seas to support ongoing conservation interventions such as habitat restoration projects and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).