May 28, 2008

Australia researches on sensors to improve prawn-feeding efficiency
  
 

Researchers in the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organisation's (CSIRO) Tasmanian ICT Centre are developing automated image sensors and software that could help the aquaculture industry to improve prawn-feeding efficiency.

Researchers are currently studying the use of sensors in aqua ponds. The sensors could provide continuous information about feed consumption in prawn ponds therefore it would reduce overfeeding of farmed prawns; reduce nutrient levels in farm effluent, reducing environmental impact; provide better information on the feeding efficiency of farmed prawns; improve health of farmed prawns and reduce the use of antibiotics; and enable better selection of brood stock for breed engineering.

The sensors have a digital camera that records images which would be processed and developed to extract information.

This research project is part of CSIRO's prawn aquaculture projects, which are expected to double the value of the Australian prawn industry in 2020.