FISH FARMING TECHNOLOGY
#2 Robotic inspection technologies
Using robotic inspection technologies to minimise environmental impacts in open-water caged aquaculture by H. Franklin, S.Macdonald, Deep Trekker Inc
On August 22, 2017, an estimated 305,000 Atlantic salmon were accidently released into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Washington State. The collapse of two large salmon pens at Cooke Aquaculture on Cyprus Island marked a catastrophic blow to offshore aquaculture, both in the United States and in Canada.
The event raised familiar red flags around the long and short-term effects of offshore aquaculture on local environments. As the waters settled and the continued legal battle ramped up, Deep Trekker Inc., looked at Cooke Aquaculture as a case study; Investigating whether the scheduled use of remotely operated vehicles (ROV) for preventative and exploratory maintenance could help to avert such catastrophes and help synergise the environmental considerations and those working to make aquaculture a viable source of global protein.
Setting an industry standard
Production and compliance are both key elements of alleviating the controversy that surrounds aquaculture as a viable and sustainable protein for the world’s growing food epidemic. With underwater inspections systems, including ROV’s and pod cameras, which allow for a consistent 360 degree view of pens and underwater infrastructure, aquaculture
44 | February 2018 - International Aquafeed