Periodic Reporting for period 3 - iFishIENCi (Intelligent Fish feeding through Integration of ENabling technologies and Circular principle)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2021-11-01 al 2023-07-31
The iFishIENCi H2020 project has created advanced digital technology to support the sustainable development of European aquaculture. Improving the efficiency of fish farming methods, especially those used for feeding, can achieve greater profitability and sustainability in the way fish are grown. This is important because fish are an essential part of a healthy diet, and much of the fish eaten comes from fish farming. As the world’s population grows, so does the demand for fish, and to avoid depleting wild stocks, there is a need for profitable, sustainable aquaculture. iFishIENCi innovations have integrated Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) based solutions with aquaculture. This supports the sustainable, socially acceptable expansion of European aquaculture, providing employment and alleviating Europe’s dependency on imported fish.
Aquaculture depends upon good farming conditions for the efficient growth of healthy fish. For this reason, iFishIENCi developed iBOSS: a combination of digital sensors, cameras, and automatic equipment for continuous monitoring and adjustment of all aspects of the cultivation environment, including fish behaviour. iBOSS features artificial intelligence for exploring relationships between water quality and fish behaviour, health, diet, and growth. Fast-growing healthy fish require a high-quality diet tailored to specific species and environments. Efficient feeding and novel feed ingredients are also needed for aquaculture to develop sustainably because the production and use of terrestrial crops and the use of fish meal and fish oil as ingredients are associated with negative environmental impacts. iFishIENCi has explored new ways of feeding fish using feed containing novel ingredients, such as algae and yeast cultivated using nutrient capture and valorised wastes. These innovations were integrated into and demonstrated in sea-based fish farms, ponds, flow-through and high-tech recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS). The results of the project have also been demonstrated across a wide range of media to industry, the public, policymakers and scientists across the world. By improving efficiency, iFishIENCi has aimed to increase the profitability of European aquaculture, whilst reducing its environmental impacts.
Aquaculture depends upon good farming conditions for the efficient growth of healthy fish. For this reason, iFishIENCi developed iBOSS: a combination of digital sensors, cameras, and automatic equipment for continuous monitoring and adjustment of all aspects of the cultivation environment, including fish behaviour. iBOSS features artificial intelligence for exploring relationships between water quality and fish behaviour, health, diet, and growth. Fast-growing healthy fish require a high-quality diet tailored to specific species and environments. Efficient feeding and novel feed ingredients are also needed for aquaculture to develop sustainably because the production and use of terrestrial crops and the use of fish meal and fish oil as ingredients are associated with negative environmental impacts. iFishIENCi has explored new ways of feeding fish using feed containing novel ingredients, such as algae and yeast cultivated using nutrient capture and valorised wastes. These innovations were integrated into and demonstrated in sea-based fish farms, ponds, flow-through and high-tech recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS). The results of the project have also been demonstrated across a wide range of media to industry, the public, policymakers and scientists across the world. By improving efficiency, iFishIENCi has aimed to increase the profitability of European aquaculture, whilst reducing its environmental impacts.
The iFishIENCi project, involving 16 partners from 8 European countries, focused on innovative technology developments in aquaculture. iFishIENCi's collaborative efforts have advanced aquaculture technologies, promoted sustainability, and facilitated knowledge sharing in the industry.
7 KERs have been produced at the end of the project, Fish-Talk-to-Me, iBOSS, SmartRAS, Waste2Value, New Feeds, Breed4Feed and a circularity assessment model. The KERs have reached TRLs between 7 and 9 with individual building block components that can also be exploited by partners at a range of different TRLs.
Fish-Talk-to-Me provided algorithms that could detect feeding behaviour in European seabass in open cages and a “feeding index” was developed for automatic detection of satiation with implications to control feeding. These algorithms were then further developed for Atlantic salmon in open cages and SCCS. A digital twin of the feeding process (FishMet model) was able to predict growth for rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon and incorporated into iBOSS. The capability of iBOSS to connect to existing sensor systems, integrate new sensors, collect data and make them available to further steering capacity was validated. iBOSS was able to provide data collection services as well as hosting algorithms for feeding optimization, and simulation model integration. The demonstrations of iBOSS in open cages, SCCS, RAS and ponds highlighted the adaptability of the technology to different production systems and integration with a range of different sensors and data related to these systems (i.e. telemetry in open cages, quality of wastewater in RAS).
The Waste2Value product successfully provided recommendations and data on valorising a range of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus from aquaculture waste, contributing to sustainability. Progress was made in producing algae-based and yeast-based feed ingredients using wastewater and sludge from RAS. New feeds were tested across various species, with final versions validated through organoleptic testing. A comprehensive analysis of microbiome changes in diverse production conditions was undertaken to ensure newly developed feeds were not impacting the microbiota of the system.
Genetically selected African catfish were successfully bred up to the F4 generation to grow efficiently on low-fish meal feeds and also tested using alternative proteins. SmartRAS was demonstrated, combining iBOSS, Cobalia, and FishMet, which enabled behavioural analysis of fish and precise feeding. SmartRAS was able to analyse the behavioural activity of fish from videos and recognise satiation behaviour, it is then able to allocate a feeding score which will determine the feeding ration of the next feeding event.
iFishIENCi was evaluated for its contributions to aquaculture sustainability, including social acceptability and environmental performance and strategies were developed for market entry, including market assessments, business models, and IP protection. Several different agreements have been suggested for IP protection and proper exploitation of the project KERs including IP agreements, NDAs, commercial agreements and mutual release agreements. Many of these are still in discussion, however, some of the individual building blocks identified that make up each of the KERs are already being exploited by individual partners who own the IP through incorporation into their current business activities or adding value.
7 KERs have been produced at the end of the project, Fish-Talk-to-Me, iBOSS, SmartRAS, Waste2Value, New Feeds, Breed4Feed and a circularity assessment model. The KERs have reached TRLs between 7 and 9 with individual building block components that can also be exploited by partners at a range of different TRLs.
Fish-Talk-to-Me provided algorithms that could detect feeding behaviour in European seabass in open cages and a “feeding index” was developed for automatic detection of satiation with implications to control feeding. These algorithms were then further developed for Atlantic salmon in open cages and SCCS. A digital twin of the feeding process (FishMet model) was able to predict growth for rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon and incorporated into iBOSS. The capability of iBOSS to connect to existing sensor systems, integrate new sensors, collect data and make them available to further steering capacity was validated. iBOSS was able to provide data collection services as well as hosting algorithms for feeding optimization, and simulation model integration. The demonstrations of iBOSS in open cages, SCCS, RAS and ponds highlighted the adaptability of the technology to different production systems and integration with a range of different sensors and data related to these systems (i.e. telemetry in open cages, quality of wastewater in RAS).
The Waste2Value product successfully provided recommendations and data on valorising a range of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus from aquaculture waste, contributing to sustainability. Progress was made in producing algae-based and yeast-based feed ingredients using wastewater and sludge from RAS. New feeds were tested across various species, with final versions validated through organoleptic testing. A comprehensive analysis of microbiome changes in diverse production conditions was undertaken to ensure newly developed feeds were not impacting the microbiota of the system.
Genetically selected African catfish were successfully bred up to the F4 generation to grow efficiently on low-fish meal feeds and also tested using alternative proteins. SmartRAS was demonstrated, combining iBOSS, Cobalia, and FishMet, which enabled behavioural analysis of fish and precise feeding. SmartRAS was able to analyse the behavioural activity of fish from videos and recognise satiation behaviour, it is then able to allocate a feeding score which will determine the feeding ration of the next feeding event.
iFishIENCi was evaluated for its contributions to aquaculture sustainability, including social acceptability and environmental performance and strategies were developed for market entry, including market assessments, business models, and IP protection. Several different agreements have been suggested for IP protection and proper exploitation of the project KERs including IP agreements, NDAs, commercial agreements and mutual release agreements. Many of these are still in discussion, however, some of the individual building blocks identified that make up each of the KERs are already being exploited by individual partners who own the IP through incorporation into their current business activities or adding value.
iFishIENCi brought together experts in AI, IoT, and aquaculture to develop a groundbreaking feeding model called Fish-Talk-To-Me. This model, based on fish physiology and advanced technology, was applied in innovative experiments across various production systems. The project also created an antioxidant feed from unique algae ingredients and developed waste valorisation methods. Combining Fish-Talk-To-Me with AI and IoT led to the cutting-edge iBOSS monitoring system, integrated into the state-of-the-art SmartRAS aquaculture system, enabling precise fish feeding.
Socio-economically, iFishIENCi enhances fish farm productivity and profitability while reducing negative environmental impacts through waste valorisation, benefiting both farmers and the environment. The project aligns with global food security and sustainability efforts, conserving natural resources and mitigating climate change. Knowledge sharing and training have stimulated global aquaculture advancements. The project's findings inform policy development, with two policy recommendations, three regulatory reports, and joint responses to public consultations, paving the way for more sustainable aquaculture practices and societal benefits.
Socio-economically, iFishIENCi enhances fish farm productivity and profitability while reducing negative environmental impacts through waste valorisation, benefiting both farmers and the environment. The project aligns with global food security and sustainability efforts, conserving natural resources and mitigating climate change. Knowledge sharing and training have stimulated global aquaculture advancements. The project's findings inform policy development, with two policy recommendations, three regulatory reports, and joint responses to public consultations, paving the way for more sustainable aquaculture practices and societal benefits.