Artificial intelligence, 5G, and machine vision are changing aquaculture. Several companies, including Cermaq and Google's parent company Alphabet, are transforming the traditional industry of fish farming with high-tech to provide individualized care for fish. Here we look at some of the ways these technologies are being deployed.

1. The Amazing Ways You,
Can Combine AI, 5G
And Machine Vision
To Transform Fish
Farming

2. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Title
Text
Introduction
Introduction
Artificial intelligence, 5G, and machine vision are changing aquaculture. Several
companies, including Cermaq and Google's parent company Alphabet, are transforming
the traditional industry of fish farming with high-tech to provide individualized care for
fish. Here we look at some of the ways these technologies are being deployed.
We certainly have a global food challenge that is exacerbated by environmental
concerns. But could new technology such as artificial intelligence, machine vision, and
5G networks help us find a solution? Norwegian salmon farming company Cermaq has
launched its first-of-its-kind iFarm project. This five-year experiment will run until 2025
with tech partners BioSort and ScaleAQ, to further understand how technology can
optimize fish farming operations.
The Amazing Ways You Can Combine AI, 5G,
And Machine Vision To Transform Fish Farming

3. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Title
Text
Introduction
Introduction
Others in the industry are also testing out solutions to better optimize fish production.
The Amazing Ways You Can Combine AI, 5G,
And Machine Vision To Transform Fish Farming

4. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Individualized Approach to Salmon Farming
One of the benefits of leveraging technology in salmon farming is that it allows an
individualized approach to supporting each fish's health and development. Previously, if
there was a lice outbreak in a fish population, which is a common issue in salmon farming,
all fish would get treated. However, this parasite doesn’t attack each fish in the same way.
Being able to identify which fish needs treatment rather than treating every fish in the
system helps reduce overall stress from unnecessary handling.
Similar to the health needs of a fish, machine vision can identify and track feeding needs
for individual fish in the pen. The technology recognizes individual fish in the system by
their unique markings and then can track if and when they fed last to properly care for
them. This ability to customize the care for each fish represents an enormous leap for the
aquaculture industry and also can ensure that fish are only harvested when it’s time.
Each iFarm system has 150,000 fish that are enclosed in a net pen in the sea. In the iFarm
system, the fish are kept lower in the pen because a net roof is used. When a fish rises to
refill their air bladders, they are funneled through a chamber where a sensor scans,
recognizes the fish and records data on that particular fish.

5. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Individualized Approach to Salmon Farming
The sensors and internet of things devices automatically process images to recognize fish
then feed data to artificial intelligence algorithms that analyze the data. These data points
include everything from weight and development to any signs of illness or wounds. All this
data can then be reported to help simplify the management of the iFarm system and allow
for data-based decision-making.
Cermaq’s goal is to strengthen fish farming in coastal areas because the future of
Norwegian fish farming depends on finding sustainable and cost-effective production. The
company was awarded four development licenses for the project, and it's become a
collaboration between many people and entities to get to this stage, which is releasing the
first smolt into the pens.

6. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Consistency of a 5G Network Enables the Tech
There’s been a lot of talk about the superfast speeds of 5G mobile network, not just for
consumer wants like incredible download speeds for movies, but for the transformative
impact it can have on industries. In aquaculture, the fish recognition happening through
internet of things devices and the data streams back to the management of fisheries is
made possible by 5G. In contrast, undersea fiber optic cable is difficult to maintain. The
introduction of 5G enables high-quality cameras and data feeds that power the
technology of the fisheries.
Another 5G pilot program took place at salmon farm Scottish Sea Farms as internet-
connected sensors gathered data about seawater temperature, pH, oxygen, and more in
the salmon cages. Optimizing the salmon farms is critical because it's Scotland's biggest
food export and a major contributor to the UK’s national economy.

7. © 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Alphabet Dives In
Google’s parent company Alphabet and its X research team (formerly known as Google X)
is working with fish farms in Europe and Asia on a project they call Tidal. Tidal is
developing another system for fish recognition. Similar to Cermaq’s iFarm project,
underwater cameras, computer vision, and artificial intelligence track salmon and
yellowtail. AI is able to track fish through their development and can distinguish individual
fish from subtle differences in shapes and movements that are imperceptible to the
human eye. The ultimate goal of the tech is to move toward more sustainability.
These projects are critical for learning how artificial intelligence, machine vision and
learning, and 5G can change aquaculture. Since they are in the early stages and the
systems are complex, it’s expected that there will be a tremendous opportunity for
learning and growth that will result in better outcomes and sustainability in the future.

8. Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker, futurist, and a
strategic business & technology advisor to governments and companies. He helps
organisations improve their business performance, use data more intelligently, and
understand the implications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data,
blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is a frequent
contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for Forbes. Every day
Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers and shares content that
reaches millions of readers.
Visit The
Website
© 2020 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
© 2017 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
© 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker, futurist, and a
strategic business & technology advisor to governments and companies. He helps
organisations improve their business performance, use data more intelligently, and
understand the implications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data,
blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is a frequent
contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for Forbes. Every day
Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers and shares content that
reaches millions of readers.
Visit The
Website

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