Brandon Witte is the CEO of Sightline Systems, a global leader in real-time performance monitoring and analytics software. With nearly two decades at the helm of Sightline, Brandon has driven innovation across industries, recently expanding into aquaculture with the launch of AQUA Sightline, a cutting-edge solution for water quality and nutrition data monitoring.
An experienced executive with a Bachelor of Science in Management Science from Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business, Brandon’s career spans expertise in enterprise software, IT strategy, and professional services.
Under Brandon’s leadership, Sightline has established a reputation for delivering actionable insights through advanced analytics, empowering businesses to optimize operations for higher profit margins and more successful day-to-day operations. Brandon is passionate about leveraging technology to solve complex challenges, including sustainable aquaculture, helping fish farm owners make data-driven decisions that improve efficiency and yield.
You have a rich career in the industry. What initially led you to this field?
My journey into aquaculture was driven by a fascination with the intersection of technology and sustainability. I’ve always been passionate about using data and innovation to solve real-world problems like we have for decades in the IT and IoT fields, and aquaculture stood out as an industry with immense potential to feed the world while preserving natural resources. The opportunity to make a tangible impact through technology in such a dynamic and vital field was too compelling to pass up.
Can you give your perspective on the significance and importance of data intelligence in the aquaculture industry?
Data intelligence is a game-changer for aquaculture. It enables fish farmers to transition from reactive decision-making to proactive and predictive strategies for reliable better harvests. With data, we can optimise feeding practices, monitor water quality, and detect potential health issues before they become critical, ultimately improving yield and reducing waste. It’s not just about increasing efficiency but also about fostering a more sustainable and responsible approach to fish farming.
The aquaculture industry faces many challenges from minimising environmental impact to reducing costs. How do Aqua Sightline systems tackle and balance these issues?
AQUA Sightline systems are designed to address these challenges holistically. By providing real-time monitoring and predictive analytics, we help farmers make data-driven decisions that minimise feed waste, optimise energy usage, and improve fish health. This reduces costs while also lessening the environmental footprint. For example, by analysing water quality and nutrient levels, we ensure that resources are used efficiently and responsibly, supporting both economic and environmental goals.
What key issues in fish farming can data predict and detect?
Data can predict and detect a wide range of critical issues in fish farming, including water quality fluctuations that could stress fish or lead to disease, oxygen imbalances that affect growth rates, overfeeding or underfeeding, which impacts both costs and fish health, and equipment malfunctions or system inefficiencies that could disrupt operations.
By addressing these issues early, farmers can prevent significant losses and maintain optimal production levels.
How do Aqua Sightline systems use AI, and how do you see it developing in the future of fish farming?
Our systems leverage AI to predictively analyse vast amounts of data in real-time, identifying patterns and anomalies that human operators might miss. For example, AI can predict the potential for future loss based on subtle changes in water quality, optimise feeding schedules, and continuously improve system performance through machine learning for optimal performance batch after batch. This helps to enable farmers to minimise food costs while maximising growth.
And, when combined with advanced visual sensors, AI can also detect early signs of disease and assess the overall health of the batch, allowing for timely intervention that minimises mortality rates and protects the long-term viability of the operation.
In the future, AI will play an even greater role in automating complex tasks, integrating with robotics for precise feeding and monitoring, and supporting fully autonomous fish farming systems. This will not only improve efficiency but also make sustainable aquaculture scalable on a global level.
Looking ahead, what do you foresee as the most significant opportunity and challenge for the aquaculture industry, particularly concerning sustainability?
The most significant opportunity lies in the industry’s ability to meet the growing global demand for protein in a way that is both efficient and sustainable. Advances in technology, like data intelligence and AI, empower farmers to maximise production while minimising environmental impact. At the same time, these tools enable us to address growing consumer demands for traceability—offering a clear record of how fish are raised, from the use of vaccines and medications to water quality management, ensuring transparency from farm to table.
The biggest challenge, however, will be ensuring that the quest for sustainability in aquaculture doesn’t create new problems, such as habitat destruction, water contamination, or the spread of invasive species. Raising fish in a socially responsible way requires a delicate balance between production goals and environmental stewardship. Ensuring these advanced technologies are accessible and scalable across diverse farming operations, from small-scale farms to industrial facilities, will also be critical.
This is all part of why we’re working on AQUA Sightline 2.0—to continue meeting the changing needs of farmers while addressing the growing emphasis on sustainability and traceability in aquaculture. By fostering industry collaboration and embracing innovation, we can build a future where aquaculture supports global food security while protecting the needs of the planet as well.
Published in the February 2025 issue of International Aquafeed & Fish Farming Technology.
