Technology
Better fish health and welfare through technology Technological advances have played a huge role in improving production, but just how do these innovations support the performance of aquaculture businesses? Owen Hutchins of Cooke Aquaculture, and Ben Garth of MSD Animal Health UK, explain how investment in technology is supporting businesses and fish health and welfare
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erforming tasks efficiently while con�nuing to improve fish health and welfare is a priority on every farm manager’s list. So says Ben Garth, key account manager for aquaculture at MSD Animal Health UK, and he believes that developments in technology make this possible. Garth says: “Technology offers fish-producing enterprises new ways of performing necessary tasks, such as grading, coun�ng and feeding, while maintaining high standards of welfare and suppor�ng fish health. “For example, fish grading, a process used to separate and grade fish depending on their size, is a fundamental part of produc�on and is a really important process to maximise business profitability and performance of the fish. However, it’s important this process is as gentle as possible on the fish to avoid stress and other welfare issues.” This was a key considera�on for Cooke Aquaculture when they recently upgraded their fish grader. Cooke chose the Smart Grader by VAKI, part of the MSD Animal Health group since 2019, due to its ability to deliver accurate fish grading with improved health and welfare benefits. Owen Hutchins, farm manager at Cooke Aquaculture, explains: “As the grading process removes fish from water for a few seconds, we want to make sure that this process is as quick and effec�ve as possible. “Smart Graders that are more mechanically advanced will evenly distribute fish across the channels. This reduces the chance of fish riding over the top of one another and makes the process more accurate while improving the experience for the fish.” He adds: “We’ve found this has made the grading much quicker, therefore minimising the amount of �me the fish are out of the water
and reducing the contact �me between the handler and the fish – it’s a real benefit to fish welfare.” Hutchins explains that in terms of efficiency, the use of technology and automated machinery o�en provides a quicker alterna�ve to standard daily tasks performed manually. Developments have resulted in more efficient ways to operate machinery which means more �me can be given to focusing on fish health and welfare prac�ces. Crea�ng an a�rac�ve sector As well as �me efficiencies, Hutchins adds that the use of technology can also make the sector more appealing to poten�al joiners – a benefit which is especially important in a sector where recruitment can be a struggle. He explains that advancements in technology help to a�ract new and young talent who are interested in mechanical roles into the sector, while allowing those with qualifica�ons in animal health to focus on the health and welfare of the fish. He says: “I’ve got a marine biology degree, but I spent a lot of �me thinking I was be�er off having an engineering degree. New, easy to use, technology enables me to spend more �me on fish produc�on prac�ces. “For us, the purpose of technology is not to replace staff; it’s there to free up �me so that staff can spend more �me looking a�er the fish. On the other hand, it also means our sector appeals to tech-savvy people who can assume roles in helping to keep our equipment performing op�mally.” Top: Ben Garth Above: Owen Hutchins Left: The VAKI Smart Grader Opposite: The Cairndow Hatchery
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Technology - Cooke - Vaki.indd 70
Looking to the future Investments such as the Smart Grader have proven hugely beneficial to Cooke Aquaculture, and Hutchins explains that going forwards, the business will con�nue to invest in technology that improves fish produc�on. “A density controller will probably be our next purchase. Through skill and experience, we
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11/04/2022 14:56:45
