First Water pioneers use of MSD fish counter in land-based facility

MSD Animal Health Norway has announced an agreement for the use of its Falcon Biomass fish counter by Icelandic land-based salmon farmer First Water hf., formerly known as Landeldi.

First Water has already produced fish from the first phase of its facility and plans to produce 33,500 tonnes of salmon annually when the facility at Torlakshøfn is completed.

The Falcon Biomass system is already in use in marine pens in Norway, Chile, and the UK after its launch at the Aqua Nor fish farming trade show in Trondheim last year.

Milestone

“The sale of the Falcon Biomass system to First Water is a significant milestone for MSD Animal Health. We are thrilled to partner with a progressive and forward-thinking organisation that shares our vision for sustainable aquaculture,” said Dafydd Morris, general manager of MSD Animal Health Aqua Europe.

“This alliance not only strengthens our position as a global leader in aquaculture technology but also paves the way for the adoption of vision technology in the land-based fish farming sector.”

MSD said the system combines advanced vision technology with years of research and development, resulting in a state-of-the-art solution that delivers key insights to its customers.

It added that Falcon offers numerous advantages over traditional fish measurement methods. By utilising vision technology, the system provides near real-time data on average weight, size distribution and overall biomass.

Greater insight

“This provides the farmer with greater insight, allowing for optimised decision making in production and harvest planning. We are proud that First Water have chosen us as their trusted partner to take care of their biomass estimation needs,” said Bertil Storvik, sea-based solutions lead for MSD Animal Health Aqua Europe.

First Water project manager Kristinn Marinósson said: “We are excited to integrate the Falcon Biomass system into our land-based fish farm. This technology will enable us to monitor more accurately the growth of our fish population, ensuring their wellbeing and allowing us to make data-driven decisions.

“We believe that this solution will contribute to the sustainable development and expansion of our operations, while further solidifying Iceland’s position as a leader in the aquaculture industry.”

MSD said it plans to expand sales of the Falcon Biomass system to new markets in Canada, Ireland, and the Faroe Islands.