AquaVision Dehaze and enhancement: a robust algorithm for improving underwater image quality in aquatic environments

Underwater imaging is frequently challenged by light scattering, leading to haze, color distortion, and visibility loss. To address these issues, we introduce the AquaVision Dehaze and Enhancement algorithm to improve underwater image quality. Extensive testing on a dataset from an aquaculture environment demonstrates that the algorithm significantly enhances image clarity. Quantitative evaluations reveal high performance across various image quality metrics, with scores of UICM (19.6463), UISM (18.1490), UIConM (26.7463), and UIQM (13.3312). Furthermore, the algorithm delivers competitive results in no-reference image quality metrics, including NIQE (3.6780), Entropy (7.5942), PIQE (52.1444), and BRISQUE (35.9847). These results highlight the algorithm’s effectiveness in addressing the challenges of underwater imaging and illustrate the effectiveness through an ablation study. The AquaVision Dehaze and Enhancement algorithm offers a robust solution for improving the quality making it a valuable tool for advancing research in aquatic environments.