SBIR-STTR Award

The reduction or elimination of feed waste in fish farms would significantly improve production efficiencies and reduce effluent. Hand feeding methods are labor intensive while automated, open-loop feeding strategies waste feed and underutilize resources. In hundreds of industries, closed-loop control has increased production efficiencies, reduced labor costs and reduced production variations. An affordable feeding activity based, closed-loop feed controller for aquaculture would bring these benefits to fish farming, would enhance water quality and provide automatic fish health assessment.We propose to evaluate an innovative acoustic Doppler monitoring technique that will be the key component in a closed-loop feed control and health monitoring system. Fish feeding and other activities will be monitored directly. We will monitor several commercially important species in different rearing facility designs and at various stocking densities to evaluate this unique technique. Measurement of activity will be done under present feeding strategies and the acquired data will be correlated to observed activity. A strong correlation between measurements and observed behavior will prove the feasibility of this technology and allow for further research of an accoustic Doppler feeding and stock health monitoring system for the U.S. aquaculture industry.

Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications of Research:
:We anticipate being able to successfully detect satiation using Doppler acoustics in ponds and tanks using Doppler acoustics. Development of this monitoring technique will provide an excellent control signal for closed-loop feeding control in aquaculture and a method for automatic health monitoring and activity sensing. The reduction in FCR's increased growth rates, improved water quality and reduced pollution made possible by this technique will offer aquaculture producers significant savings. After being proven feasible, this technique will be applicable to many culture system.