AUTOMA aims to develop an automatic system for the recognition and identification of Mediterranean marine taxa, alien species (NIS non-indigenous species) and invasive species (IAS), which will generate a qualitative and quantitative database on their occurrence, spread and invasiveness.

The database will provide information on dispersal dynamics, invasiveness potential of alien species and competition mechanisms with native species. Biological data will be associated with abiotic parameters, to allow researchers to make correlations between identified taxa and environmental variables, especially in relation to the current Mediterranean climate crisis. 

The data will be acquired using AUVs (Automated Underwater Vehicles), equipped with high-resolution cameras for image acquisition and fitted with CTD probes to measure the chemical and physical parameters and supplemented by the contribution of professional divers (instructors, technical and diving operators).

Automatic identification will be enabled by AI (Artificial Intelligence) activities developed in collaboration with marine biologists. The database, together with the automatic identification system, will be available to the NBFC for its intended purposes. 

The database will be structured to enrich pre-existing platforms and, at a later stage, may be implemented by recreational divers with a view to integrating technological innovation, scientific research and Citizen Science.