Shrimp Aquaculture

What are the implications?

A close collaboration with farmers and technicians was vital to logically interpret the results of the study for NSB-NB5. This has potential to inform and guide farm practices on what variables are sensitive to the harvest yield, requiring close monitoring and careful modification.

However, this is not a one-and-done study. It requires results to be put into practice and the re-evaluation after a number of harvests to see if the yield can be improved. It is also important to note that many of the water management and physicochemical variables found to be associated with a high survival in this analysis were already known and had already been included in industry best practices for years.

The novelty of the results, in this case, was the discovery of six feeds and one supplement product, which most likely holds the key to an optimised yield of at least 80% for the farm. This would mean almost doubling the amount of produce for markets and doubling the contribution toward the local seafood supply.

Such results help farmers in optimising farm input and ensuring that identified parameters are carefully controlled. From an economic angle, this reduces wastage, maximises resource potential and improves growth rates, leading to higher yields and increased profits. By using historical production data and modelling techniques, farmers can optimise their production schedules, and reduce the risk of overstocking and underutilisation of resources.

Additionally, data science techniques can help farmers monitor and control water quality, reducing the risk of disease outbreaks and improving the overall health of the species. Further analysis can explore the development and use of predictive models using similar machine learning methods to forecast future trends in demand and supply, as well as helping farmers make informed decisions about production levels and inventory management. These models can also be used to assess environmental factors, such as temperature and water quality, and their impacts on fish health and growth, allowing farmers to take proactive preventative measures.

More work is needed

There is still a lot of work to be done. Most farms do not have the enabling technology to adopt these methodologies. Unlike NSB-NB5, not all farmers are open to exploring the benefits of data science. Other multiple factors contribute to the slow uptake of this method in the aquaculture industry. These include lack of awareness and understanding, limited technological expertise, limited data availability, a high cost of implementation and a focus toward more traditional practices in most settings.

As the benefits of data science become widely recognised in this field and technical expertise and data availability improve, we hope to see more aqua farmers adopting these methodologies to improve their operations and increase profitability. This is the mission of Birkentech.

The use of data science in the shrimp/fish farming industry is still in its early stages. Its applications in aquaculture is critical for ensuring global seafood security and sustainability. It should be noted, though, that data scientists should work closely with domain experts such as aquaculture farmers and farm technicians to make sensible interpretations from the data.

Dr Neil Arvin Bretaña is an award-winning data scientist and public health researcher with over 10 years of experience in data analytics, modelling, and innovation. He is passionate about the use of technology in improving the social determinants of health, which includes agriculture and food production. He is a lecturer at the University of South Australia and also the founder and director of aquaculture data science consultancy company Birkentech Solutions Pty Ltd.

Email: admin@birkentech.com

Dr Neil Arvin Bretaña is an award-winning data scientist and public over 10 years of experience in data analytics, modelling, and innovation. about the use of technology in improving the social determinants agriculture and food production. He is a lecturer at the University also the founder and director of aquaculture data science consu Solutions Pty Ltd. Email: Neil.Bretana@unisa.edu.au