This means that fish can still be fed in conditions too tough for farmers to visit their sites
Satellite-enabled communication specialist Krucial has launched a new system which will make it possible for fish farm operators to feed their fish remotely as well as obtain environmental information they need from anywhere on earth.
Using the new solution, fish farmers can get a continuous video stream from pens in areas even with no cellular connectivity or power and can feed individual pens remotely using their desktop or mobile based on the insights received. Using the latest satellite technology, with auto-adjusting flat panel antennas, means that barge movement does not impact the technology’s usability, offering an advantage over “line of sight” solutions. If a farm is off the west coast of Scotland or Ireland, for example, and the operator is onshore or even thousands of miles away, they’ll be able to monitor fish behaviour continuously and feed with the click of a button.
The startup says that the technology, which will be added to their Connected Seafarm system, “provides the final piece of what is now a complete solution that incorporates remote feeding enablement, algae detection, environmental monitoring, barge telemetry and asset condition management”.
Krucial’s adds that the new tech will enable farmers to feed remotely from anywhere on earth – meaning during extreme weather or when other tasks come up, staff resource can be optimised. Given the significant cost of feed to the sector, the ability to optimise feeding can contribute to cost savings as well as the management of ocean impact.
Kevin Quillien, co-founder and CTO of Krucial, said: “This is a huge step forward for Krucial and our offering to the aquaculture industry. We are confident that with our new capabilities we are providing fish farmers with the ultimate tool in understanding what’s happening at their farms – ranging from fish behaviour, to water quality, to equipment conditions.
“Farmers can now sit at home or in the office, with all the information they need at their fingertips to take quick action that boosts efficiency and sustainability and reduces risk - even at their most remote and inaccessible sites.
“We are looking forward to working with early adopters in the coming months.”
The new solution will transmit high bandwidth video data over cellular or satellite, whichever is available. If the primary satellite fails, a secondary satellite kicks in to maximise resilience. This means that even in extreme weather or further offshore, where connectivity has traditionally been an obstacle, farmers still have an overview of their operations and can still feed remotely.
Krucial is actively engaging with a number of aquaculture operators about a series of pilots over the next few months – to find out more email contact@krucial.com.
