The technology company Aquabyte is launching a camera-based system that measures biomass and scores the welfare of smolt as small as 50 grams.
This launch is part of Aquabyte’s strategy to enable fish farmers to make informed, data-driven decisions throughout the fish’s entire lifecycle.
“It’s fantastic that customers can now monitor fish from the start of the smolt phase. For farmers, it’s important to know the size and quality of the fish they receive so they can make the right decisions at the pen from day one,” says Kristin Aase, Insight Manager at Aquabyte.
(Pictured to the right.)
Automatic weight measurement and welfare scoring with cameras also reduce the need for manual handling at the smolt facility.
“Less stress and fewer injuries from manual handling lead to improved welfare and health, making the smolt better prepared for transfer to the sea,” adds Kristin Aase.
The Aquabyte system uses a specially adapted camera that captures over one million images from the smolt tank each day. The images are analyzed using machine learning and newly developed algorithms for smolt as small as 50 grams.
“Monitoring smolt is different from monitoring fish in pens. The fish are smaller, the fish density in the tank is higher, and the behaviour of the fish is different. The algorithms used for weight measurement and welfare scoring must be specifically developed for these conditions,” says Mochi Liu, Senior Data Scientist at Aquabyte.
Using the system in smolt facilities also places unique demands on the camera that is submerged in the tank.
“The self-cleaning lens technology and adaptations we’ve made to the camera are critical to ensuring the system operates optimally in smolt facilities over time without the need for extra maintenance,” says Mochi Liu.
(Pictured to the left.)
Aquabyte’s system for biomass measurement and welfare monitoring of smolt was developed in close collaboration with one of the largest companies in the aquaculture industry and is already being used in smolt and post-smolt production.
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