A new collaboration between Ace Aquatec and Hendrix Genetics is moving aquaculture from population-level monitoring to individualised growth strategies, using AI-driven imaging to transform how fish performance is tracked and managed.
At the centre of the project is Ace Aquatec’s A-BIOMASS system, which enables continuous, non-invasive monitoring of fish. By identifying unique spot patterns within fish ‘families’, the system allows growth to be tracked over time at an individual level rather than through periodic sampling.
This approach is giving Hendrix Genetics a more detailed understanding of how different fish perform under varying conditions. By analysing growth trends across seasons, the company can determine which stock performs best in specific environments and align broodstock supply accordingly.
“We found that to create a more accurate picture of growth cycles within our stock we required more snapshots and better quality images,” said Stephen Tapping, Hendrix Genetics’ breeding program manager.
“Ace Aquatec’s camera has given us much more precise, individualised data collection, plotting the actual growth of the fish.”
The insights are also enabling more targeted feeding strategies. By aligning feed delivery with peak growth periods, operators can improve efficiency while reducing waste, supporting both profitability and environmental performance through better water quality.
Traditional manual sampling methods can stress fish and impact development, but the AI-based system removes the need for human intervention, generating continuous high-quality data without disruption.
Chief executive of Ace Aquatec, Nathan Pyne-Carter said the project demonstrates the wider potential of data-driven aquaculture. “This project has shown us how data can influence everything from feed strategy to optimising fish stock, as well as early disease detection,” he said.
