The difference between the digital numbers which appear on our screen and the living creatures swimming around in fish farms is apparent. But if we gather enough information, they suddenly become quite similar. Imagine a digital copy of a fish, who mimics the behaviour and physiology of a real one.

New intelligent feeding technologies

No, this is not fiction. The process of creating a digital twin fish is part of the iFishIENCi project. It is an EU Horizon project with an overall goal to provide new intelligent feeding technologies.

The success of fin fish aquaculture in providing healthy food to a growing world population, depends upon the ability to find more sustainable farming practices. This includes more effective ways of monitoring fish health and welfare, and more efficient ways of feeding.


How does it work?

First, information from a variety of fish farms about fish behaviour, physiology, as well as data about the ambient environment, are collected. The data is then transferred to a digital representation or a digital twin of the fish, models and algorithms that stimulate behavioural and physiological responses.  

The digital twin aims to work as a digital organism simulating the most crucial aspects of physiology, neurobiology, and behaviour in a digital environment. It means that it can act autonomously, and with the help of collected data and artificial intelligence, the digital fish can mimic the real fish`s response and behaviour.

Consequently, because the simulation system aims to predict voluntary behaviour and food intake, the digital twin can predict the response of the fish, making tests easier to run. It can therefore be used as a tool for fish farmers and reduce the time taken from monitoring, decision making and response. The digital twin can for example be a valuable decision support in RAS feeding processes.


The project

The overall goal of the iFishIENCi project is to provide new intelligent feeding technologies to support ambitious, but sustainable growth for the European aquaculture industry. With 16 partners from eight countries, it is a project aiming towards making genuine improvements to aquaculture management and practises.  

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 818036.

Read more about the project here: http://ifishienci.eu/