Land-based shrimp farmer counting on technology

Land-based shrimp farmer Oceanloop has integrated a newly launched state-of-the-art shrimp counter into its recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facilities in Kiel, northern Germany, and Munich, in the south of the country.

The SC-4K Shrimp Counter, made by Danish company Sincere Aqua, is equipped with advanced sensor technology, artificial intelligence, and computer vision, which its maker says ensures precise and reliable shrimp counting during the transfer from nursery to the grow-out phase.

With a counting speed of 200,000 shrimp per hour and the ability to accurately count sizes ranging from 2 to 8 centimetres, the SC-4K sets a new industry standard, claims Sincere Aqua. The company guarantees a minimum accuracy of 90% as long as the average size falls within the 2-8-centimetre range.

Regular challenge

Oceanloop’s joint chief executive, Dr Bert Wecker, said: “Sincere Aqua’s shrimp counting technology addresses a regularly occurring challenge we face in accurately determining our stocking density especially at smaller shrimp sizes. With this advanced solution, we can precisely manage our shrimp populations, streamline our operations, and reduce the need for manual handling.”

Co-founder and joint chief executive Dr Fabian Riedel said: “We use various technical applications to make shrimp farming more sustainable and productive. For us, it is essential to accurately track the biomass of each shrimp generation along the growth phase to manage consistent farming results and a standardised grow-out. The new SC-4K Shrimp Counter we use from Sincere Aqua is a really helpful solution for our land-based farming technology.”

In a press release, Sincere Aqua said its shrimp counting technology had undergone extensive testing at Oceanloop’s facility in Kiel. The tests included both pour-through evaluations and innovative piping methods, enabling the counting of shrimp without any manual handling.

It added that counting shrimp without direct handling aligns with Oceanloop’s commitment to minimising stress and optimising welfare in land-based shrimp farming.

A true innovator

Sincere Aqua chief executive Fríði Mellemgaard said Oceanloop employed a multitude of advanced methods and technologies, making it a leading force in the industry.

“Their dedication to sustainability and adoption of cutting-edge solutions make Oceanloop a true innovator in land-based shrimp farming,” added Mellemgaard. By integrating Sincere Aqua's shrimp counting technology, Oceanloop gains precise insights into stock density, enabling optimised production planning, improved resource management, and enhanced operational efficiency.

Oceanloop says its RAS shrimp technology enables high-quality, antibiotic-free and sustainable saltwater shrimp farming where consumption takes place and offers considerably lower resource consumption and a far smaller ecological footprint than conventional farms.

Its farm in Kiel uses fresh seawater and produces around five tonnes of shrimp annually, and the RAS in Munich uses artificial seawater and produces 20 tonnes of shrimp per year. The company is now planning a 2,080-tonne, €210 million shrimp farm at an undisclosed location in Europe, with construction expected to start next year and shrimp production in 2025.