Hendrix Genetics and Plant & Food Research have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to co-develop underwater vision technology for measuring aquaculture breeding stock, using trout as a test case.

To accurately select the right animal as a breeding parent, geneticists need to track key characteristics, including body weight and morphometrics (size and shape). However, in aquaculture, data collection on individual animals offers significant challenges. Conventional methods, such as weighing scales, are labor intensive and can compromise animal welfare. Underwater vision technology offers a solution to accurately and efficiently identify, measure, and select breeding stock.

Plant & Food Research has developed new image-based processes to measure a range of traits in fish automatically. The high throughput system uses species-specific distinguishing features, such as visual patterning akin to a fingerprint, to identify individuals and track their growth over time. This information can be used to identify individuals with the right characteristics to offer potential as parents in aquaculture breeding programs. The development project will assess the viability of this technology in a commercial environment by performing a number of test cases in trout.

With the combined expertise in breeding, genetics, and technology, the partners will further develop the techniques that have the potential to improve frequency and accuracy in trait measurements in way with enhanced animal welfare outcomes. This project will increase accuracy of selection in breeding, which translates to healthy, efficient products for the entire aquaculture industry.