Fish Training

Introduction:

New analysis has found that under optimistic projections regarding alternative marine aquaculture (mariculture) feed innovations and uptake, the ocean could provide over six times more food than it does today—more than two-thirds of the animal protein needed to feed the future global population.

About the company:

Fiskevelferd as founded in 2019 based on a patent pending aquaculture concept: Sustainable Improved fishwelfare, No emissions,  Automated operations. Our technology is the actual cage solution with the central column as a key factor securing permanent access to the cage. State of the art technology is used in all other areas. The fish cages can be moved from submerged to elevated position by simply sliding it along the column. This method secures gentle crowding as the control system keeps track of the biomass pumped through the column and the cage elevation. We can keep constant fish density through the whole crowding process and can add oxygen when needed. Oxygen-rich water gives lower feed factor and higher growth and adding oxygen reduces mortality. Underwater feeding provides higher growth. The fish can be steered away from lice with underwater lights, lights are also used to avoid sexual maturation. Drying of the cages removes marine fouling, which in turn gives increased water flow. By using new technology, we can select only fish with lice for delicing. The fish cages are automatically placed at the depth with optimal temperature. 

Challenge:

Fish is like any other farmed animal, it can learn and food is essential in training. If we can get the fish to associate feeding with ligth or sound signals, we can guide the fish into channels inside the cage. If so, it will be a gamechanger for the industry: 

- Lice identification and treatment inside the channels

- Redirection of selected fish to well boat inside the channel – no crowding necessary

- Biomass calculation inside the channel

- Feeding inside the channel

- Fish identification based on dot pattern combined with big data gives tracability

The result is easier operations and significantly less mortality. The idea is to start the training in the smolt stags onshore and supply the ocean cages with educated fish.

One question remains: Does it work?