MSD Animal Health Norway partnered with First Water hf., formerly called Landeldi, to use MSD imaging technology FALCON Biomass at its land-based fish farm in Þorlákshöfn, Iceland. FALCON Biomass is a technology that builds on more than 25 years of experience in measuring fish in cages, and it aims to change the way fish are measured and monitored in the operation of land-based aquaculture facilities.
The FALCON Biomass system is a combination of advanced imaging technology and many years of research and development. The result is a state-of-the-art solution that provides customers with important insights. Using the expertise and knowledge gained through work on imaging technology, artificial intelligence and biomass measurements, MSD Animal Health was able to launch FALCON Biomass at Aquanor 2023 in Trondheim. This new system has since been used in cages in Norway, Chile and the UK.
“The sale of the FALCON Biomass system to First Water is an important milestone for MSD Animal Health. We are delighted to have partnered with a progressive and forward-thinking organization that shares our vision of sustainable aquaculture,” said Dafydd Morris, general manager of MSD Animal Health Aqua Europe. “The partnership strengthens our position as a global leader in aquaculture technology, and also paves the way for the adoption of imaging technology in the land-based fish farming industry.”
The FALCON Biomass system offers several advantages over traditional fish measurement methods. Using imaging technology, the system delivers data on average weight, size distribution and total biomass in near real-time. “The fish farmer thus gains greater insight and can make better decisions during production and in slaughter planning. We are proud that First Water has chosen us as the partner for handling the biomass calculations,” said Bertil Storvik, head of Sea Based Solutions at MSD Animal Health Aqua Europe.
“It will be exciting to start the introduction of the FALCON Biomass system in our land-based fish farm. With this technology, we can monitor more precisely how the fish population is growing, and thus ensure that the fish are doing well. We can also make decisions based on good data,” said Kristinn Marinósson of First Water. “We believe that this solution will contribute to sustainable development and expansion of operations while consolidating Iceland's leading position in the aquaculture industry.”
