Phase II: Estimation of Fish Biomass and Size in Aquaculture Pens Using Digital Echosounding

Assessment of biomass and fish size in aquaculture is needed for a number of reasons, including: 1. Determining feed rates according to the number and size of fish in each pen. 2. Appraisal of growth rates and food conversion factors. 3. Inventory of fish required by banks and insurance companies. 4. Early detection of fish losses. 5. Determining proper dosages for the treatment of disease. Current methods for the assessment of biomass and size require excessive handling of the fish. This induces mortality, slows growth and causes illness. Results produced by these methods are inaccurate, labor intensive and increase production costs. In Phase I we demonstrated the feasibility of an innovative acoustic system for the estimation of fish size, mapping of fish density and estimation of biomass in an aquaculture net-pen. Phase II of the project will focus on the development of a prototype of the instrument to be deployed on a self-propelled platform, as well as on controlled experiments and testing at a fish farm. The Acoustic Biomass Monitor provides a vital solution for the monitoring fish growth and assessing biomass. The commercialization of the Acoustic Biomass Monitor will modernize and enhance fish farming technology, increasing both the efficiency and profitability of fish farms. A portable, non-intrusive and easy to use instrument should be easily accepted by the fish farming industry in the USA and worldwide. This technology is suitable for application to both conventional net-pen aquaculture and future installations of offshore aquaculture.