Artificial intelligence helps Hendrix Genetics breed better fish 

A pioneering project between Scotland-based aquaculture technology innovator Ace Aquatec and breeding specialist Hendrix Genetics is shifting the dial from mass fish monitoring to individualised growth strategies using artificial intelligence-driven biomass camera technology. 

Hendrix Genetics Chile is using Ace Aquatec’s A-BIOMASS system to identify spot patterns in fish “families”, meaning that the 'genetics elixir' of growth and fish health can be unobtrusively monitored over time. This provides an invaluable long-term view at the population and individual level, adding to the company’s available toolkit for genetic selection.

Plotting patterns of growth in this way has allowed Hendrix Genetics to fully understand the conditions under which its stock grows best; for example, which fish grow most in summer and which see the most growth in colder months. Hendrix can then supply the best broodstock and eggs to its customers by matching the right fish to the right farms.

Gathering detailed patterns of growth among its stock has also meant Hendrix Genetics can optimise its feed strategy in line with peak growth periods, meaning fish receive optimal nutrition when they need it most to reach maturation. As well as the economic benefits of this approach, less feed waste means higher water quality and healthier fish.

Traditional manual sampling of fish growth can stress the animals which can impact feeding. Using Ace Aquatec’s AI solution in this way provides long-term high quality data without human intervention.

A more accurate picture

Stephen Tapping, breeding programme manager at Hendrix Genetics, said: “We found that to create a more accurate picture of growth cycles within our stock we required more snapshots and better quality images and to do that manually would cause unnecessary stress on the fish.

“Ace Aquatec’s camera has given us much more precise, individualised data collection of our fish’s growth, not just the biomass of the tank, how much feed we flow in, but in plotting the actual growth of the fish. This will ultimately benefit our customers by providing the best stock for their own farming practices.”

Ace Aquatec chief executive Nathan Pyne-Carter said the company’s work with Hendrix Genetics has proven the application of biomass technology beyond simply monitoring the biomass of the tank.

“This project has shown us how data can influence everything from feed strategy to optimising fish stock for the conditions they are to be farmed, as well as early disease detection,” added Pyne-Carter.

“The future of aquaculture is increasingly data driven and by working with partners like Hendrix Genetics, we are building a detailed picture to inform how fish production will look in the coming decades - one where seafood is providing an accessible, high welfare source of protein for the global population.”