Aquatech company raises £7.7m to launch next-generation lice solution

Norwegian aquatech company Biosort, best known for the iFarm project carried out in collaboration with salmon farmer Cermaq, has secured more than NOK 100 million (£7.74m) from aquaculture and technology investors to bring its individual-based lice control system to market.

The capital will support final development and market introduction of Biosort’s next-generation lice control technology. The system is designed to efficiently remove lice at an early stage, preventing uncontrolled lice population growth and reducing the need for full-pen interventions.

Investors include Grieg Kapital, Hatch Blue, IVC, Farvatn, and Futurum Ventures, together with existing owners.

Continuous lice removal

“This funding takes us from development into commercial sales. Our focus is simple: continuous lice removal to suppress lice development and greatly reduce needs for wellboat treatments. The goal is improved welfare, lower mortality, better biological control, and ultimately making fish thrive,” said Biosort chief executive Geir Stang Hauge.

Founded in 2010, Biosort has developed advanced machine vision, AI, and FishID technology capable of identifying and tracking individual salmon. The system now combines early lice removal with collection of data on individual fish.

“We have followed Biosort for several years and are impressed by the team and their technology. Sea lice remain one of the greatest challenges in salmon farming, and Biosort’s approach has the potential to improve both lice management and fish health. We are excited to support the company as it moves into commercialisation,” said Stian Grieg, investment manager at Grieg Kapital.

A next-generation solution

Carsten Krome, managing partner at Hatch Blue, said: “There is a clear shift in the salmon industry toward stronger focus on fish health and greater adoption of new technology.

“Through Blue Revolution Fund, we invest in next-generation aquaculture solutions that improve health and sustainability. Together with a strong and experienced investor consortium, we believe Biosort is well positioned to contribute to the next phase of salmon farming.”

Biosort says on its website that its FishID technology prevents double-counting and ensures data truly represents the population. 

“Our goal is simple: remove lice as early as possible after attachment. Preventive action is applied at the individual level, with FishID ensuring distribution across the population for optimal coverage,” adds the company, although it doesn’t say how the lice will be removed.

Below the surface

The iFarm project worked by keeping fish below the surface of a pen by using a net roof. When a fish wanted to reach the surface to refill its swim bladder with air, it had to pass through a unit in the centre of the roof net that contained Biosort’s AI cameras. The intention was for fish to be deloused if required when they passed through the unit, and for sick fish to be removed.

“Over four production cycles, iFarm delivered major breakthroughs in imaging, FishID, data infrastructure, and individual health journals that track developments for individual fish,” Biosort writes on its website.

“This foundation now powers a more compact and targeted solution, with an added focus on early lice intervention to improve fish health and reduce environmental impact.”