An eye on the prize
Steinsvik camera systems, which allow for 360 degree views above and below the water’s surface and provide even more confidence that feed is getting to where it’s intended, have now been installed at a number of MHC sites.
Site manager at one of the farms, Paul Pattison, is new to the equipment but is quickly seeing the benefits over the old stationary camera. “Pan and tilt operation gives the farmers peace of mind, knowing that every pellet hits the mouth,” Paul says.
“We can continue to push the envelope to increase growth every day and improve feed conversion.”
The Steinsvik camera provides the operator with images and sensor information from all areas of the fish cage by moving the camera both horizontally and vertically with a winch system which is controlled by a videogame-like controller. The camera can rotate 360 degrees in all directions and, together with the surface camera with a zoom-lens, the feeder gets a high quality picture of the activity both above and below the surface.
Paul adds that the built-in dissolved oxygen data monitoring allows the controller to pick and choose the “best feeding plan” for the site. During periods of poor environmental conditions, one can make quick adjustments to the feed regime. This will give farmers real-time information about how the fish are performing and what is happening with respect to environmental conditions.
The sensor data and video are sent from the cages to the computer system in the nearby control room through a wireless transmitter or via a fiber cable with power. The operator of the system can see up to nine images per screen depending on setup and camera types.
Perhaps best of all, Paul notes, is that: “We can do all this from the comfort of our feed office, keeping the farmers safe, warm and happy.”
The manager at another farm site, Andy Haslam, says the system is a “game changer”. Haslam has 15 years’ experience and has managed a site that has received Marine Harvest's coveted Sterling Cup for record-low feed conversion ratios.
Marine Harvest Canada has three salmon farm sites now fitted with Steinsvik camera systems. Over the next two months, the company will be rolling out another 15 systems, showing a significant commitment by the company to provide its farmers even better feeding control.
