The future of aquaculture. New fish farming technologies

Summary

Aquaculture is the fastest-growing food production sector, driven by the need for sustainable seafood solutions. As overfishing threatens marine species, innovative technologies like AI, microscopic fungi, and vertical fish farms are transforming the industry. Companies like Siwa Tech, Apollo Aquaculture, and the iFarm project are introducing cost-effective, efficient, and eco-friendly solutions to address the challenges of fish farming. These advancements have the potential to revolutionize aquaculture, reduce overfishing, and prevent species extinction, though their global adoption remains uncertain.

Takeaways

• 😀 Aquaculture is the fastest growing food production sector in the world, with seafood being scalable and useful to humans.
• 🐟 Aquaculture could help solve seafood shortages globally with advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and microscopic fungi.
• 🌍 Over 90 fish species in European waters, including sharks and rays, are at risk of extinction due to overfishing.
• ⚖️ The lack of consistent fishing laws between countries leads to illegal fishing practices and further endangers marine life.
• 🐋 A vicious cycle exists where aquaculture saves some species but relies on other fish species as food, endangering them.
• 🌱 New technologies, such as growing microscopic fungi on industrial waste, can solve the problem of feeding fish without relying on marine life.
• 🏭 The Apollo Aquaculture Group in Singapore is constructing the world's first vertical fish farm to reduce operating costs and increase efficiency.
• 💧 The AquaDeck system helps to purify and reuse water on fish farms, drastically reducing water replacement costs.
• 📊 The use of electronic inventory systems enables real-time monitoring of fish conditions, water quality, and feed amounts, improving efficiency.
• 🤖 Biosort's iFarm project uses AI and machine learning to monitor individual fish, helping to improve fish health and streamline production.
• 🌐 If these innovations are adopted globally, they could revolutionize the aquaculture industry, reduce costs, and solve the ecological problem of fish extinction.

Q & A

What makes aquaculture the fastest growing food production sector?

Aquaculture is growing rapidly due to the scalability of seafood production, aided by technologies like artificial intelligence and microscopic fungi. This allows countries with access to the sea to potentially solve their seafood shortages.

How has the widespread fishing industry affected marine life?

The global expansion of fishing has led to the endangerment of various marine species. Overfishing has threatened species like sharks, rays, and other cartilaginous fish, with over 90 species at risk in European waters alone.

What challenges exist with fishing laws in different countries?

Fishing laws vary greatly between countries, leading to inconsistent enforcement. This allows fishing boats to catch illegal species in one country and sell them in another, further endangering marine life.

How has aquaculture contributed to the preservation of marine life?

Aquaculture has helped slow down the disappearance of certain marine species by breeding and cultivating marine organisms suitable for food. However, it still relies on wild fish for feed, contributing to the depletion of other species.

What solution has Siwa Tech AB developed for the feeding issue in aquaculture?

Siwa Tech AB has developed a method for growing microscopic fungi on industrial waste, providing a sustainable fish feed solution that also addresses waste disposal.

How does the Apollo Aquaculture Group address cost reduction in fish farming?

The Apollo Aquaculture Group reduces costs by building the world's first vertical fish farm in Singapore, which allows for six times more efficient production. They also use systems like AquaDeck for water purification and an electronic inventory system for better resource management.

What is the AquaDeck system, and how does it help in fish farming?

The AquaDeck system is an automatic water renewal system. It pumps out contaminated water, filters it, and returns it to the farm, significantly reducing water replacement costs and the need for manual maintenance.

What role does the electronic inventory system play in aquaculture?

The electronic inventory system tracks the water conditions, feed amounts, and other vital parameters in real-time, improving efficiency and ensuring that fish are grown to the right size for market demands.

What is the iFarm project, and how does it utilize AI and machine learning?

The iFarm project uses AI and machine learning to create a monitoring system that tracks the health and growth of individual fish. Sensors collect data on each fish’s weight, growth rate, and health conditions, allowing for precise care and treatment.

What are the expected outcomes of the iFarm project?

The iFarm project aims to improve fish health and welfare, optimize growth, and reduce maintenance costs. It also hopes to eventually automate fish harvesting, allowing for more efficient and sustainable seafood production.