Market debut for the first iFarm-raised fish
Cermaq and BioSort are leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to recognize each fish in a pen individually, providing personalized monitoring and health records. The iFarm project, a five-year initiative aimed at developing individualized aquaculture, is currently underway. The initial phase involved adjusting the iFarm equipment to the fish's behavior and ensuring their well-being and welfare. Observations from phase 1 indicate that the fish are comfortable with the iFarm equipment, a conclusion supported by harvest results, according to Karl Fredrik Ottem, Cermaq’s iFarm project manager. The iFarm pens saw a 50% reduction in the need for delousing compared to traditional pens, and welfare indicators remained positive throughout production. The iFarm project, being highly innovative, comes with its share of uncertainties. It cannot be integrated with standard underwater feeding equipment, and the harvest results indicate a need for further refinement of the underwater feeding system. The first production phase has yielded valuable insights regarding the integration of various iFarm components and their future development to enhance handling and daily operations. The initial version of the iFarm sensor was tested in phase 1 at the Martnesvika sea site, providing crucial insights about camera placement, lighting, and data processing for individual fish health records. BioSort's general manager, Geir Stang Hauge, notes that real-time fish monitoring using multi-angle cameras provides detailed information about each fish, but it also demands robust software and hardware solutions. The next phase of iFarm development is underway in Vesterålen, where an entire sea site has been outfitted with iFarm setups in all pens following fish stocking last fall. This phase will involve comprehensive testing of the concept and technology. Ottem notes that they have already gained valuable insights from phase 2 and have identified areas for improvement. The first iFarm fish was processed at the Steigen processing plant and has been shipped to customers in Europe and Asia.
