Skretting Southern Europe has launched new precision fish farming concept Skretting 360+ as part of its commitment to grow Mediterranean aquaculture while reducing its exposure to risk.
The aquafeed company said the concept enables producers to establish much improved levels of cost-efficiency and sustainability at their farms. Its launch follows over three years of development for the region, which was done in collaboration with Israel-based precision farming start-up Go Smart.
Skretting 360+ uses analytical software and other Industry 4.0 technologies to bring greater levels of innovation to fish production. The package of precision-based tools and services incorporates nutrition, farm management practices and technical support as well as state-of-the-art underwater cameras and sensor equipment.
According to Skretting, the expectation is that farmers will be able to lower the feed conversion rates (FCRs) of important market species like Mediterranean seabass, seabream, meagre, amberjack and rainbow trout, which remain relatively high compared with many other farmed fish species.
Skretting 360+ also enables the remote monitoring of fish biomass and critical environmental parameters at farm sites, while also calculating the optimal feeding and production management protocols. Much of this is delivered through AquaSim, which is Skretting’s suite of management tools designed to optimise farm performance and provide farm-specific digital advice.
“Skretting Southern Europe has worked very closely with fish farmers and aquaculture companies throughout the region for several decades, providing technical support and precision farming services. This has given us invaluable local insight into the market’s particular needs and ambitions and led to the development and launch of Skretting 360+. Utilising highly-sophisticated technologies, we believe this new range of precision farming services and tools will disrupt the status quo and drive the industry forward,” said Juan Antonio González García, Skretting’s Precision Farming Manager Cluster Southern Europe.
The new concept also incorporates Skretting’s latest growth models and services, while connected on-farm sensors collect real-time data on farm performance influences such as oxygen, temperature, average weight, feeding behaviour and waste.
“Skretting 360+ can be a real game-changer for aquaculture in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean region. Principally designed to help fish farmers become more efficient and resilient, it provides the trusted platform from which they can capitalise on the unprecedented demand for high-quality, responsibly-produced fish,” said García.
