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Description
The management of a Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) is a very hands-on task and depends greatly on the specific experience and knowledge of the farm managers, who need to be familiar with many different systems and processes to manage the various aspects of operations. For production to become viable on a large-scale, RAS must overcome the current lack of technology which fully integrates biological, human and mechanical aspects together with the quality of feed and circulating water in these systems.
The BlueRAS project aims to develop a digital platform for the management and monitoring of the daily operations of a fish farm in RAS. Data from sensors that measure water quality, laboratory analysis, daily reports and equipment operation will all be integrated into a single platform to facilitate the supervision of operations. To achieve that, machine learning algorithms will be developed to automate processes and to calculate new indicators to help manage operations, and thus, enhancing scalability and efficiency of RAS.
Summary of project results
Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) have great potential for sustainable fish production due to their minimal impact on the surrounding environment, independence from geographical requirements, and ability to produce fish close to consumers, reducing the transport’s carbon footprints. However, RAS farms face significant challenges. Managing these systems is complex, requiring near-perfect operation 24/7. Equipment malfunction or human errors can lead to suboptimal growth, waste resources, and ultimately result in substantial stock losses within a short time.
To address these challenges, we developed an operational management platform named BlueEdge. This platform aims to enhance RAS facilities by preventing equipment failures, minimizing human errors, and creating a comprehensive data repository to aid continuous improvement and optimization. BlueEdge integrates data from various sources, such as automation systems, feed management tools, and in-house spreadsheets, into customized dashboards that present key performance indicators (KPIs) for easy monitoring of system health. The project introduced innovative methods for tracking equipment performance, generating preventive maintenance alerts, and detecting protocol compliance and human errors. Additional features include automatic report generation to facilitate information exchange between shifts and interactive maps that link observations to required checks and actions.
The implementation of BlueEdge demonstrated significant benefits. In a commercial facility, it reduced total water consumption by 58%, resulting in annual savings of over 150,000 euros. BlueEdge also successfully prevented equipment malfunctions and identified human errors, enhancing the safety and reliability of RAS operations. The success of this project is crucial for the future of sustainable aquaculture. By optimizing production processes and improving system security, BlueEdge helps RAS farms become more efficient and resilient. In the long term, this will contribute to more sustainable fish farming practices, ensuring a stable supply of fish with minimal environmental impact.
Summary of bilateral results
The BlueRAS project was led by Sensaway, with key contributions from two additional donor partners from Norway: RASLabs and Hatch Blue. Hatch is a global innovation and venture company that focuses on sustainable aquaculture technology and alternative seafood products. Their involvement was essential in defining and crystallizing the business model and go-to-market strategy for the developed technology. Hatch’s extensive knowledge and connections in the RAS industry provided us with access to RAS managers and experts, allowing for critical industry feedback. This ensured that the features we developed addressed the real challenges faced by companies worldwide. RASLab is a contract research and innovation company focused on RAS technology. They offer 12 independent RAS modules for testing and verifying new ideas and concepts. For the BlueRAS project, RASLab represented the end-user. Their expertise in state-of-the-art RAS practices and technology guided the development to be highly impactful for RAS companies, helping us achieve the project''s objectives. RASLab’s facilities were also integral in allowing us to implement the BlueEdge platform in a controlled setting for testing and validation. The collaboration between Sensaway, RASLab, and Hatch Blue provided significant benefits and will continue in the future. RASLab will continue using the BlueEdge platform to improve its operations and provide new feedback as new needs and findings arise. Hatch and Sensaway will continue sharing insights on industry challenges to maximize the impact of our collaboration. This ongoing partnership aims to help RAS companies achieve better results, ease investor concerns about operational risks, and support the growth of the RAS sector worldwide.