CreateView’s AI-driven image sensors promote fish welfare in aquaculture

The demand for food is growing at a pace with the global population. Farmed salmon is an excellent source of high-quality protein. The aquaculture industry, however, faces a number of challenges, including high mortality, sea lice, disease, feed spills and poor fish welfare.

In Norway alone – the world’s largest exporter of farmed salmon – about 20 per cent of the fish die in their pens before reaching harvest age, primarily due to sea lice and inefficient monitoring of fish welfare. This means that 1 billion portions of fish valued at over USD 1.5 billion are wasted annually.

In addition, fish feed accounts for 90 per cent of carbon emissions related to salmon farming.

Combining sensors, cameras and machine learning, CreateView’s solution generates a vast amount of data that has previously not been available. Based on this data, fish farmers can administer vaccines and implement operating routines at a favourable time to achieve good fish growth and increased profitability, while reducing environmental impact and waste of resources.

This high-quality data also enables the application of predictive analysis methods, which will open up for entirely new methods of prevention and knowledge development as well as preventive measures against disease and sea lice.

CreateView’s solution minimises manual handling and stress on fish because the sensor is placed under water. As the fish swim past the sensor, the system detects any sea lice, injuries, disease and irregular behaviour. This enables fish farmers to identify these at a very early stage and treat the fish with a method that is the least harmful to the fish itself and to the environment.

The solution also allows fish famers to optimise feeding by analysing the behaviour and appetite of fish more easily. This in turn enables them to enhance feed use efficiency and reduce feed spills – and the substantial carbon emissions resulting from these.

Moreover, the sensors are designed to be recycled and integrated into the circular economy.

The global demand for food is expected to grow significantly, and with it the demand for seafood. The global seafood market was valued at USD 120 848 million in 2016, and is estimated to reach USD 155 316 million by 2023.

CreateView’s target markets outside Norway are Chile, the Faroe Islands, Ireland, North America, Scotland and Tasmania.

The company continues to explore advanced technologies, such as drones and blockchain, that can further simplify real-time monitoring and resource utilisation.