AI cage cameras to be used for Mowi genetics programme

TidalX AI and salmon giant Mowi today announced a strategic expansion of their collaboration.

Tidal, a spin-out from Google’s X Moonshot Factory, is a provider of underwater perception and AI systems used by Mowi for automated lice counting, welfare monitoring, biomass estimation and feeding in Norway.

In the expansion of the collaboration, Mowi will deploy Tidal’s proprietary fish identification technology as part of a project to enhance its breeding and genetics programme, advancing a new capability for precision individual phenotyping alongside existing population-level monitoring. A phenotype is an organism’s observable physical or biochemical characteristics.

Tracking individuals

Tidal’s AI will help track individual fish without physical tags, enabling non-invasive, continuous data collection on critical traits like growth, disease resistance, and welfare. The higher granularity of the data will enable new, more accurate phenotypes for breeding candidates and informant groups, improving accuracy of the selection of top broodstock for new generations.

Matt Baranski of Mowi Genetics AS said: “Tidal has already become a highly valued partner in Mowi’s day-to-day farming operations, delivering higher-resolution monitoring of sea lice counts and biomass, along with novel phenotypes linked to fish health and welfare.

“It is a natural evolution to now bring that capability into our genetics programme. Shifting from pen-level monitoring to understanding individual fish could significantly improve selection decisions, enabling the next generation to be chosen using continuous, real-world performance data.”

Next level of gains

Rochak Sharma, chief product officer of TidalX AI, said: “Our vision extends far beyond basic farm monitoring to optimise the entire value chain. This AI technology will not only provide us more precise biomass estimates but also allow for limiting individual exposure during in-pen lice treatments.

“Bringing the same AI into genetics can create significant gains for breeding programmes. By directly linking farm-level performance to biological design, Tidal’s AI is unlocking the next level of gains in efficiency and sustainability for salmon farming.”