Project Completion: A New Era for Aquaculture Monitoring
Elements Works is proud to announce the successful completion of the AIFISH PNRR project, marking a significant milestone in aquaculture technology. This innovative project has resulted in the development of a complete hardware-software system that brings artificial intelligence to fish farming operations, enabling real-time biomass estimation with unprecedented accuracy.
The AIFISH system combines cutting-edge underwater imaging technology with advanced machine learning algorithms to provide fish farmers with immediate, accurate data about their stock, revolutionizing traditional monitoring methods that have relied on manual sampling and estimation.
About AIFISH: Technology That Sees Beneath the Surface
The AIFISH system represents a breakthrough in aquaculture monitoring technology. At its core is a sophisticated hardware-software integration that operates in challenging underwater environments, whether in open sea cages or controlled land-based tanks.
The system consists of two main components working seamlessly together:
- Underwater Stereo Camera System: Designed and manufactured entirely by Elements Works, this specialized camera system captures high-resolution stereo imagery in underwater conditions. The stereo vision capability allows for precise depth perception and accurate fish measurements, even in the turbulent and light-limited conditions typical of aquaculture environments.
- AI Biomass Estimation System: Developed in collaboration with CREA Ricerca (Council for Agricultural Research and Economics), this artificial intelligence system processes the stereo imagery in real-time to identify, count, and measure individual fish. The AI calculates total biomass estimates with remarkable precision, learning and improving its accuracy over time.
Innovation and Competitive Advantage
While automated fish monitoring systems have been deployed in Northern European salmon farming operations, AIFISH brings important innovations that expand the accessibility of this technology to a much broader market:
- Novel Imaging Approach: AIFISH uses a unique combination of image elements to estimate fish size and biomass, providing accurate measurements through a different technical approach than existing solutions.
- Cost-Effective Design: Through innovative engineering and component selection, the AIFISH system achieves a significant cost reduction compared to existing solutions, making advanced monitoring technology accessible to Mediterranean aquaculture operations and other lower-budget fish farming ventures worldwide.
This combination of technical innovation and affordability opens the door for mid-sized and smaller aquaculture operations to benefit from AI-powered monitoring, previously available only to large-scale industrial operations.
Key Features and Capabilities
- Real-Time Monitoring: Continuous biomass estimation without the need for intrusive manual sampling
- Stereo Vision Technology: Accurate 3D measurements of fish size and density
- Dual Environment Operation: Effective in both sea cages and land-based tanks
- Non-Invasive: No stress to fish populations from traditional netting and handling
- Data-Driven Decisions: Provides actionable insights for feeding optimization and harvest planning
- Robust Design: Built to withstand harsh marine environments
Applications in Modern Aquaculture
The AIFISH system addresses critical challenges in both marine and land-based aquaculture operations:
Sea Cage Farming: In offshore fish farming, the system provides farmers with visibility into their stock without the need for labor-intensive and stressful manual sampling. This enables better feeding strategies, reduces waste, and improves overall fish welfare.
Land-Based Tanks: In recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and other land-based operations, AIFISH offers precise monitoring that supports optimal stocking densities and growth rate tracking, crucial for maximizing production efficiency.
Research Collaboration and Development
The AIFISH project brought together complementary expertise from industry and research. Elements Works led the system design and hardware development, leveraging its experience in underwater sensor systems and marine instrumentation. CREA Ricerca (Council for Agricultural Research and Economics) provided specialized AI development services and valuable insights into aquaculture monitoring requirements.
Funded through the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), the project demonstrates how strategic research investment can address real industry needs and create commercially viable solutions.
Project Completion and Market Readiness
The successful completion of the AIFISH project marks the transition from research development to deployable technology. The system has undergone extensive testing in operational aquaculture environments, validating its accuracy and reliability under real-world conditions.
Elements Works is now bringing this technology to market, offering aquaculture operations an accessible solution for modernizing their monitoring capabilities and improving operational efficiency through data-driven management.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Smart Aquaculture
The AIFISH system is part of a broader movement toward precision aquaculture, where data and automation help optimize production while minimizing environmental impact. As global demand for sustainably produced seafood continues to grow, technologies like AIFISH will play an increasingly important role in meeting that demand responsibly.
For more information about AIFISH and how this technology can benefit your aquaculture operation, use the contact link on this page.