What happens when a control system is supposed to control living individuals? How do we deal with a world where welfare is important, and the lines between black and white are not as clear? – We must work with nature, we must use technology on nature's terms.
We collect data in order to understand, make good decisions, and be able to act proactively.
In modern salmon farming, biology and welfare take center stage. The industry continuously strives to improve the salmon life cycle to ensure optimal well-being and sustainable production. Data collection and analysis is the key to reducing uncertainty associated with the actions we implement. To learn from our own data, we must 'listen,' 'understand,' and 'act'.
Listening – Gathering Data:
To understand and enhance fish welfare, data collection and analysis are crucial. Cflow's C-Evolution system integrates advanced sensors onboard wellboats, providing a detailed overview of the environmental conditions experienced by the fish. Listening to the fish and understanding their well-being requires the collection and analysis of data, including environmental, group, and individual-based welfare indicators.
On board the 'Gåsø Høvding,' there are sensors in each tank to measure the distribution of various gases in the water, temperature, salinity, circulation, turbidity, etc. Photo: Eric Ellioth Kvamsdahl for Cflow
Understanding – From Data to Information:
By interpreting sensor values and machine learning algorithms correctly, we can understand and make sense of the collected data. Machine learning algorithms and experienced fish handlers' observations of fish behavior provide valuable insights that can be used to identify patterns and make informed decisions. This enables us to understand the context and interpret the data to act proactively.
Acting – From Information to Action:
Once the information has been gathered and understood, we can act proactively to improve fish welfare and achieve sustainable outcomes. By combining data from various sources and learning from historical data, the aquaculture industry can shape a sustainable future where technology and data are used to achieve optimal fish welfare. This lays the foundation for an industry that balances efficiency, sustainability, and care for living creatures.
This is an excerpt of an article written by Cflow for LandBasedAQ. You can read the full article here. (Article in Norwegian)
Written by Tom Christian Dahl, Project Manager Digitalization, and Gunn-Marit Nerem, VP Sales at Cflow. The subject was also presented by the writers at the conference "Risiko i landbasert oppdrett" (Risk in Land-based Aquaculture), organized by Morefish in November 2023.
