Croc detection system using sonar and AI to be trialed in Far North QueenslandBy Holly RichardsonABC Far NorthTopic:Crocodile Attacks21h ago21 hours agoWed 3 Sep 2025 at 4:17amAn AI impression of what the croc-detecting buoy (top left) may look like.(Supplied: AI image, NorthWatch Technology/ABC News: Xavier La Canna)In short:A trial using sonar and artificial intelligence to detect crocodiles is due to begin within 12 months.The Far North Queensland project aims to protect people in waterways from crocodile attacks.What's next?The warning system will be developed as a buoy that alerts people to the presence of nearby crocodiles.A Cairns company will develop and test sonar and artificial intelligence (AI) crocodile detection technology in Far North Queensland waterways to provide real-time warnings of potential threats.The Queensland government has awarded a $100,000 grant for the development of a prototype buoy, which will be placed in known crocodile habitat.The aim is to combine sonar technology — similar to that used by fishers — that can scan the surrounding area constantly, with AI trained to recognise crocodiles.The company involved in the trial said the 360-degree sonar-AI system would provide alerts to nearby people if a crocodile was within a 25-metre radius, or had been recently."That can provide that real-time warning system to the public," NorthWatch Technologies chief executive officer Peter Jarvis said.This AI-generated image shows how the crocodile detection system will work.(Supplied: NorthWatch Technologies)"Or allow the public in an area … to walk up to a platform, press on the system and be informed when a croc was last seen in that area."Mr Jarvis said the project had been in development for 18 months and the final prototype was yet to be finalised after testing.The trial was expected to take 10 months, but a start date had not yet been confirmed.Mr Jarvis said he was confident the technology from fishing sonar systems would distinguish between fish, other parts of the environment and the target animals."We know the sonar is developed enough in order to give a clear image of those crocodiles,"he said."What hasn't been done is that AI training data, so it doesn't rely on a human-operated system to sit there 24/7 and monitor that system."A possible solutionBarron River MP Bree James said the technology could change the way Far North Queenslanders used waterways."Public safety is our top priority, and this innovative and world-first crocodile detection buoy could be a game-changer for high-risk locations like boat ramps and swimming areas," Ms James said."We love our freshwater swimming, we love our beach, we love our water, but we all know that we have to be croc-wise in croc country."Bree James says boat ramps are a high-risk area for crocodile attacks.(ABC Far North: Holly Richardson)The Department of Environment and Science said if the trial was successful, it would be best placed in frequently used locations such as boat ramps and fishing platforms, particularly in remote areas.Program coordinator Simon Booth said the trial built on previous research and sonar use, and would create an understanding of technology's limitations.He said he hoped it would reduce complacency.Alerts and location to be decidedNorthWatch is yet to determine precisely how the alert system will work.But Mr Booth said light and auditory alerts, as well as notifications sent to phones and apps, were being considered.Peter Jarvis says the prototype will be built using sonar and artificial intelligence technologies.(ABC Far North: Holly Richardson)The Daintree or Mowbray rivers north of Port Douglas are being considered as possible trial sites."It's likely to be in the vicinity of Cairns … but we do want to pick somewhere that has a reasonably high presence of crocodiles so we can get good data,"he said.Mr Booth said he was aware of stakeholder concerns about the potential for the information on crocodile locations being misused to deliberately harm them, an offence under the Nature Conservation Act 1992."But I guess the intent of this is to improve crocodile safety and that's paramount in Queensland," he said.