Data management and analysis tool for hatcheries
The FINDIT (A cutting edge platform for data management and analysis to assist European fish aquaculture in its development towards higher performance and competitiveness) project developed a stand-alone web-based platform for aquaculture hatchery and farm data management and analysis. It comprises a database for monitoring infrastructure, inputs and livestock whereby data can be provided manually or through sensors. Project partners also investigated market needs in the European aquaculture industry and found that the salmon industry in northern Europe uses more specialised software than the bass and bream industry in the Mediterranean. The consortium therefore decided to measure two different lists of key performance indicators (KPIs) for the two aquaculture sectors. Researchers principally used skeletal and physical malformations in fish to provide a consistent analytical tool that complemented and supported visual observations. The tool was compatible with existing data management tools currently in use for aquaculture. Project researchers also identified user expectations, which helped to define the various functions required of the software. FINDIT developed an early prototype based on this information as well as using end-user feedback to improve the tool. FINDIT will benefit professional aquaculture hatchery and production companies by providing a unique tool for measuring performance based on KPIs. This will lead to improved monitoring and integrated problem analysis and recommendations, resulting in higher production levels of higher quality as well as creating new job opportunities in data management and analysis.
Keywords
Data management, fish farming, hatcheries, FINDIT, aquaculture, key performance indicators