Combining Progressive Hierarchical Image Encoding and YOLO to Detect Fish in their Natural Habitat

Abstract

[eng] This paper explores the advantages of evaluating Progressive Image Encoding (PIE) methods in the context of the specific task for which they will be used. By focusing on a particular task —fish detection in their natural habitat— and a specific PIE algorithm — Progressive Hierarchical Image Encoding (PHIE)—, the paper investigates the performance of You Only Look Once (YOLO) in detecting fish in underwater images using PHIE-encoded images. This is particularly relevant in underwater environments where image transmission is slow. Results provide insights into the advantages and drawbacks of PHIE image encoding and decoding, not from the perspective of general metrics such as reconstructed image quality but from the viewpoint of its impact on a task —fish detection— that depends on the PHIE encoded and decoded images.