New case study: Connected Seafarm - digitising aquaculture for sustainability

Transforming aquaculture by leveraging Internet of Things (IoT) technologies

Fish farming faces growing pressure to improve sustainability, efficiency, and welfare standards. However, many farms operate in remote, harsh environments, making it difficult to collect and use data effectively.

The Connected Seafarm project aimed to transform aquaculture through Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. Valued at £284, project partners were Krucial, the University of Stirling, Grieg Seafood, SAIC, Edinburgh Napier University, Northern Light Consultancy, The Data Lab, and CENSIS.

The Connected Seafarm platform provided an end-to-end solution for real-time data collection, integration, and analysis, using hybrid satellite and cellular connectivity to link farms globally. It combined sensor data from farm sites with external sources like satellite imagery, enabling predictive insights and remote control of critical systems. Key features:

• High-quality data collection: standardised protocols ensure accurate, reliable data, helping farmers meet strict certification standards.
• Insights: by merging sensor data with satellite imagery, the platform sought to improve predictions of events such as harmful algal blooms, allowing proactive action.
• Remote control: farmers could adjust aeration or oxygenation systems remotely based on live data, reducing labour costs and improving efficiency.
• User-centric design: tailored dashboards provided information for different stakeholders.
• Data management: aiming to eliminate silos, ensuring authorised users can access critical information anytime, anywhere.

The feasibility study showed strong industry support: 100% of farmers and 60% of stakeholders believed the platform could improve fish welfare, while 67% expected cost savings. Potential benefits include:

• Feed efficiency: improving feed conversion ratios by just 1% could save millions across Scotland’s 160+ marine sites.
• Mortality reduction: cutting mortality by 10% through early interventions could deliver significant economic gains.

By digitising aquaculture operations, Connected Seafarm supports sustainability goals, enhances welfare, and helps meet regulatory requirements. With interest from feed suppliers, veterinary services, and international markets, the platform is poised to scale globally, unlocking new levels of efficiency and resilience for the aquaculture sector.

The full title of this project is ‘Connected seafarm: unlocking the value of data in aquaculture’.

Read the case study