Using AI & Citizen Science to Protect Threatened Grouper Species

Help Us Monitor and Conserve Grouper Populations with Your Photos!

What is Grouper Spotter?

Grouper Spotter is a groundbreaking platform powered by artificial intelligence and citizen science. Developed through a partnership between the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) and AI experts at Wild Me / Conservation X Labs, Grouper Spotter uses advanced image recognition to track and monitor individual grouper fish based on their unique patterns.

Much like a fingerprint, each grouper has distinctive spots, bars, or camouflage patterns that remain consistent over time. By building a global database of grouper images, we can:

  • Estimate population sizes using non-invasive, photo-based mark-resight methods
  • Track individual movement and site fidelity
  • Monitor growth and survival over time
  • Improve conservation and fisheries management

     

Visit the platform at www.grouperspotter.org to submit images or explore the database.  Grouper Spotter

Click here to watch a video taking you through how to submit an Encounter* on Grouper Spotter. 

How to Submit an Encounter Video

*an encounter is images of one fish on one dive

Why Focus on Grouper?

Many grouper species are vulnerable to overfishing due to their:

  • Large body size and long lifespan
  • Tendency to form predictable, dense spawning aggregations
  • Economic and ecological importance on coral reefs

Despite their value, data limitations have hindered conservation efforts for groupers like the Nassau Grouper, which is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN and Threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

By leveraging citizen science and AI, Grouper Spotter helps fill critical data gaps for groupers in the Caribbean, Pacific, and beyond.

How It Works

  • Divers, snorkelers, and photographers submit grouper images to Grouper Spotter.
  • AI software matches individuals based on their natural patterns.
  • Matched sightings generate valuable data for scientists and resource managers.

This innovative approach replaces invasive tagging methods and will allow us to track individual fish over many years. 
This fish was photographed in 2013 to 2019 and grew 10 cm.

Expanding the Platform

While Nassau Grouper were our first focus, Grouper Spotter is now ready to support additional species:

  • Camouflage Grouper 
  • Goliath Grouper 
  • Potato Cod 
  • and more

We've also integrated REEF's global, searchable dive site database, ensuring anyone, anywhere, can contribute.

How You Can Get Involved

  • Submit Your Photos: Everyone can submit images and every image helps grow the database. Submit to Grouper Spotter 
  • Learn Best Practices: Review photo guidelines to ensure your images are useful for identification.
  • Spread the Word: Tell your friends to contribute photos!

Together, we can build awareness and a strong community for grouper conservation.

Become a Partner Organization/Request an User Account

Everyone can submit photos through Grouper Spotter without an account. But if you want to do more, a Grouper Spotter user account lets you bulk-upload images, manage your own data, and collaborate on matches with researchers around the world.
We would love to have you join, and we will help you get set up.

There is a path for everyone:

  • Individual researchers and divers with large datasets: Request your own user account to submit and manage your grouper photos and data.

  • Partner organizations: Contribute as a team through a shared account, or run your own organization on the platform to add and manage your own users and data.
    * All registered users sign a short Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and REEF provides onboarding materials, naming guidance, and support.

Not sure which option fits? Just reach out and we will help you find the best way to get involved.

Contact Alli Candelmo, Ph.D., Director of Conservation Science, REEF, at grouperspotter@REEF.org.

The Power of Citizen Science

With REEF members and countless ocean enthusiasts worldwide, we can create an unparalleled imagery database to protect these vulnerable fish. Your photos and participation directly support conservation, research, and smarter management of grouper populations.

Collaborating Organizations

Images of other grouper species have been contributed as training datasets and uploaded to the platform by partner organizations, including the Ocean Blue Tree Foundation, MarAlliance, Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida International University, and Wildlife & Ecological Investments. The location database and Camouflage Grouper images were supported through funding from the Ocean Blue Tree Foundation.

Support Grouper Spotter

For general questions, media, or ways to support the project, contact us at grouperspotter@REEF.org.