AQUAFARMCONTROL Capsule-based system to enable Precision Livestock Farming and eliminate escapees in marine aquaculture

EUROPEAN SMEs AIM TO SOLVE GLOBAL AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY’S KEY CHALLENGES TO GROWTH

The European Commission funds the development of novel technology to improve production efficiency and dramatically reduce the industry’s overall environmental impact.
GLOBAL IMPACT - LOCAL BUSINESS
The Norwegian company Seafood Security has partnered with Portuguese polymer molding specialists Celoplás and Italian microelectronics manufacturer K314, to develop a comprehensive Precision Livestock Farming system for the Aquaculture industry. The SMEs will, with the assistance of five leading R&D centers in the fields of nanotechnology, polymers and microelectronics, build an active capsule and sonar technology platform to optimize feed and harvest efficiency and eliminate the problem of fish escaping from the pens by immobilizing the fish in the event of a breach.
FUNDING FROM EUROPEAN UNION
The project, entitled “Aquafarmcontrol” has been awarded a research and development grant through the European Commission’s 7th Framework Programme for Research (FP7-SME-2013 Research for SMEs). After a near two year research & development track, the complete capsule and sonar technology will undergo rigorous field testing at a Scottish research facility for the global aquaculture feed manufacturer Biomar in early 2015. Commercialization is expected late 2015.
KEY INDUSTRY CHALLENGES
The marine aquaculture industry continue to be under high pressure to solve important barriers related to environmental sustainability and sea life in order to expand the industry with new farming licenses. Key challenges are limited natural feedstock, pollution from fish feeding and ecological effects of fish escape with subsequent loss of capital and potential for the spread of disease among wild schools of fish – all significant barriers to industry expansion.
POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM INDUSTRY
The aquaculture industry has expressed great interest in the novel technology. Collaboration with key partners in the aquaculture industry is important for the SMEs of Aquafarmcontrol in part to ensure that the needs of the industry are met and that new technological solutions can be seamlessly integrated into the existing value chain to improve not only profitability, but also aid in the industry’s efforts to maintain and improve their responsible environmental stewardship.

Dr. Stefan Meyer, Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter, GMA

Gesellschaft für Marine Aquakultur (GMA) mbH Die GMA hat sich zum Ziel gesetzt, den Entwicklungsprozess der Aquakultur und im speziellen der Marinen Aquakultur im Bereich der angewandten Forschung zu begleiten und zu unterstützen. Am Standort Büsum ist dazu 2009 ein Forschungszentrum entstanden, das nach den neuesten wissenschaftlichen und technischen Vorgaben eingerichtet ist.