The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Rice Rivers Center is harnessing the potential of 5G technology to revolutionise the conservation efforts for the endangered Atlantic sturgeon. T-Mobile has announced that VCU is using its 5G network to protect this ancient species, setting a new standard for environmental preservation along the James River.
Once nearly driven to extinction, the Atlantic sturgeon population in the James River, near Richmond, Virginia, remains under threat from power plant cooling water intake systems. However, with advancements in telemetry technology, particularly with tagged female sturgeons, the Center can now notify power plants when these fish enter their spawning grounds. This allows the plant to reduce or halt water intake, helping safeguard the species during this critical period.
T-Mobile’s 5G network is central to this conservation effort, connecting acoustic receivers to a hub that enables real-time tracking of sturgeon, even in the remote areas of the James River. Moreover, T-Mobile’s IoT Control Centre streamlines SIM card management, optimising data transmission, reporting, and device management. These capabilities not only improve research accuracy but also enhance operational efficiency, leading to more effective conservation outcomes.
“The work we’re doing with T-Mobile has digitally transformed how we protect the endangered Atlantic sturgeon,” said Matt Balazik, Ph.D., Research Faculty, VCU Rice Rivers Center. “Real-time data allows us to make critical, well-informed decisions that directly safeguard the species, while also educating the next generation of environmental stewards.”
“At T-Mobile, we believe in the power of technology to create powerful outcomes, and our collaboration with VCU is a perfect example of that,” added George Fischer, SVP of Sales, T-Mobile Business Group. “By powering secure real-time data transmission, we’re helping to safeguard critical habitats and educate future generations. Together, we’re setting a new standard for environmental sustainability and ensuring that these ancient fish thrive in the James River for years to come.”
Advancing education and outreach
The Centre’s project, now the largest real-time acoustic telemetry system on the East Coast of the US, is making a global impact. By sharing its telemetry data with researchers from institutions like the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), and through demonstrations in local schools, the Centre is offering a model of conservation that can be adopted worldwide. Students are introduced to real-time sturgeon tracking, engaging them in the broader field of conservation.
VCU is also in the process of developing a website where students and educators can access historical telemetry data to integrate into their lessons and projects. This initiative will allow schools to contribute to the ever-growing body of environmental research.
The Centre is exploring how AI can further improve the analysis of telemetry data, enabling more accurate predictions of sturgeon movements. While current methods can forecast movements only a day or two in advance, future AI developments could give power plants even more time to adjust their water intake processes, offering better protection for the sturgeon population.
This forward-thinking approach, supported by T-Mobile’s technology, ensures the continued evolution of the project, helping secure the future of the Atlantic sturgeon in the James River.
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