Models show that moderate improvements yield increased profits of NOK 5 billion per year in Norwegian aquaculture, Aquacloud and NCE seafood innovation report in a press release.
The AquaCloud industry collaboration has several ongoing activities, the most important area within fish health/fish welfare is to establish insight and decision support for measures that reduce losses and mortality in the production cycle. Central to this is a standard classification and coding structure related to causes of loss and death.
The study conducted at NMBU shows that although monitoring and recording daily mortality and fish health information has a nearly 40-year history in Norwegian salmon farming, there is varying degrees of standardization between companies in how mortality and health observations are classified. The extent to which the information is actually used for analysis and systematic improvement work also varies from company to company.
The pilot project has identified the most important needs and requirements that a classification system for causes of loss and death must address in order to be an effective tool for farmers, the supply industry, management and research. It has also been pointed out how such a system can contribute to significant value creation potential in the industry.
– By better utilizing the potential of today's fish farming facilities and licenses, it is possible to extract significant added value and this in a more sustainable way. Models show that moderate improvements provide an increased result of ~5 billion kroner per year in Norwegian aquaculture. To realize this potential, systematic measures are required over time. Standardization, digitalization and effective use of data will be an important contribution. Greater insight into the underlying causes of loss and mortality is vital here, says Associate Professor Arnfinn Aunsmo, who has led the project group.
The AquaCloud steering group has decided to continue work on a main project with the goal of a new standard ready for use during the first half of 2021.
– On behalf of the farmers, we have fish health as one of our most important areas of focus for digitalization and standardization. Using and learning from fish health data across companies is absolutely necessary if we are to further develop farming in open systems. We believe that this project will be a key part of the recently launched national initiative for better fish welfare, says Einar Wathne, chairman of the board of AquaCloud and NCE Seafood.
The study was conducted by a project group affiliated with the Department of Production Animal Medicine at NMBU Veterinary School and led by Associate Professor Arnfinn Aunsmo, DVM PhD. In addition, there have been contributions from the fish health/fish welfare group in AquaCloud, represented by fish health managers at Lerøy, Mowi, Grieg Seafood and Cermaq, as well as project coordinator Olav Jamtøy.
AquaCloud is an industry collaboration for digitalization and standardization in aquaculture that was established by NCE Seafood together with several large and medium-sized aquaculture companies. AquaCloud works for data sharing and improved data quality through standardization in sensors, fish health and environmental measurements. The collaboration is open to all aquaculture farmers in Norway.
