The iFarm project looks to run over five years, as it utilises latest technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning in order to identify fish in the pen and track their health and wellbeing. Phase one focused on adapting iFarm equipment in the pen to the fish's behaviour, which was tested in the Martnesvika sea site. This resulted in important information on camera arrangement, lighting and data processing to ensure detailed health records for each fish.
The project successfully reduced the need for delousing at farms by 50 percent compared with conventional pens, scoring highly on welfare indicators throughout the project.
"The fish behaviour we have observed in phase 1 tells us that the fish is doing fine with the iFarm equipment in the pen," explained iFarm project manager, Karl Fredrik Ottem. "This is further supported by the results from the harvest. The fish has had a good life in the iFarm pens."
Image credit: Cermaq
Phase two of iFarm was reached last year, as an entire sea site was equipped with an iFarm setup following on from stocking the fish in autumn, which is taking place in Vesterålen. You can read that news, HERE.
"We have learned a lot that we have already implemented in phase 2, and we have received a number of answers that take us to the next step. An important part of the innovation work is to find out what works and what does not work," Ottem commented.
As the project is ongoing and developing, it invites several uncertainties. The concept cannot include ordinary underwater feeding equipment, and as shown by the harvest results, the existing underwater feeding system needs to be further developed.
The iFarm fish were harvested at the Steigen processing plant and will be delivered to customers in Europe and Asia.
For more information on Cermaq visit their website, HERE.
The Aquaculturists
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