August 30, 2024

 

Google spin-off company launches underwater camera system for fish farming

 

 

An underwater camera system and software platform, described by salmon farmer Mowi Norway's chief operating officer as the most advanced in aquaculture, has been launched commercially by Tidal, a spin-off from Google owner Alphabet.

 

The Tidal team has partnered for several years with Mowi and other industry leaders to combine their knowledge of fish farming with Tidal's expertise in artificial intelligence, underwater robotics, and data science.

 

The result is Tidal's patented and now commercially available camera and software, installed across more than 250 pens globally.

 

"Tidal's technology focuses on providing precise and real-time data at scale to support the salmon aquaculture industry to address major challenges and unlock new opportunities," said the company's chief executive, Rajesh Jadhav.

 

The system allows farmers to track real-time growth and estimate harvest results, monitor and act early on fish welfare trends, act decisively in response to sea lice pressure, and feed fish with what Tidal said is the industry's first fully integrated AI-powered autonomous feeding capability.

 

The company said the suite of tools enables fish farmers to better understand and optimise their operations to reduce costs and waste, make data-driven decisions to improve production efficiency and planning, and proactively manage fish wellbeing and the surrounding environment.

 

"The Tidal system is the most advanced sensing and analysis platform in aquaculture, and undoubtedly the one with the greatest potential," said Øyvind Oaland, chief operating officer of Mowi Farming Norway.

 

Tidal has now received investment from New York, US-headquartered Perry Creek Capital, and Norway-based Ichthus Venture Capital (IVC) and Futurum Ventures, which Tidal said would enable it to establish a stronger base in Norway and expand to Chile and Australia.

 

A spokesperson for Tidal told Fish Farming Expert that the system was also commercially available in Scotland (the United Kingdom), Ireland, the Faroes, and Canada.

 

- Fish Farming Expert