The fish processing industry is progressively adopting innovations to increase efficiency and profitability through automation. In the last 20 years, efforts have focused on the automation of primary, secondary and further processing. However, few efforts have been done to improve the overall value chain, from the catch to the sales of processed fish.
Currently, fish processing plants receive partial information regarding the catch they will process, based on a partial analysis on board. Precise details are only known once at the plant, shortly before the processing starts. This leaves fish processors in an uncertain and risky position, where they need to negotiate orders with sellers that lead them to reach suboptimal deals. Any missing raw materials will be bought in the market, while any fish surpluses will be frozen or sold at a lower price. In addition, production and logistics need to be planned in a short time range, since the fish needs to be processed, packaged and delivered as fast as possible to preserve quality.
To control and monitor production and trade, fish processors rely on production management software developed by processing equipment manufacturers, which lacks catch reporting or forecast, market forecast and value and production optimization. Valka FishPro aims to make a breakthrough development towards the anticipation of the catch categorization and the optimization of production and logistics. FishPro is designed as an AI unit that continuously takes in information from every stage of the operation, such as the catch brought in by the fishing vessels, the market demand combined with information from the processing plant. It then uses this information flow to make the optimal decision and make recommendations for adjustments to the processing system accordingly at every juncture. Importantly, this innovation will help utilize precious fish stocks in the most efficient way possible to feed a growing population in a sustainable way.
