World's First! Successful Development of a Feeding Sensor to Detect Uneaten Feed

AquaFusion Inc. (Headquarters: 4-1-1 Minatojima Nakamachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, President and CEO: Yukio Matsuo) has successfully completed a demonstration test for a feeding sensor in marine aquaculture. This test confirmed that the sensor can remotely visualize not only fish activity but also uneaten feed, a world first. These results are expected to reduce wasted feed in aquaculture, leading to cost reductions and a decrease in environmental impact. This demonstration suggests new possibilities for smart sensors in marine aquaculture and is anticipated to have a significant impact on future developments.

Background

As global warming makes fishing increasingly difficult, reliance on aquaculture is growing. However, the environmental impact of excessive feeding on surrounding waters is a significant concern, particularly in countries like the United States, making the reduction of uneaten feed an urgent issue. Environmental measures often increase costs for operators. Furthermore, recent soaring feed prices can account for up to 80% of production costs. Therefore, reducing uneaten feed, meaning efficient feed supply, would greatly improve the economic convenience for aquaculture operators.

Our company has developed the ultrasonic visualization sensor MagicCounterPlus through demonstration experiments in collaboration with local governments, addressing this social issue. Leveraging our core strength in underwater ultrasonic visualization technology, we embarked on the development of the MagicFeeding, a feeding sensor capable of detecting uneaten feed.

Features and Demonstration Results of the MagicFeeding Sensor

The MagicFeeding sensor consists of an ultrasonic transmitter and receiver, equipped with an algorithm (Patent No. 7818872) that automatically detects fish and feed from received echoes. Our proprietary patented technology distinguishes and visualizes fish and feed, enabling visualization of not only fish activity but also uneaten feed.

To evaluate the effectiveness of the developed sensor, demonstration tests were conducted in a sea bream tank at Onishi Suisan Co., Ltd. in Aino Town, Ehime Prefecture. Long-term demonstration test results revealed that uneaten feed, as well as fish activity, could be visualized in real-time.

Comment from Mr. Onishi, President of Onishi Suisan, who conducted the demonstration project: "We can now see uneaten feed, which was invisible with previous automatic feeders. This is a capability not found in existing automatic feeders, and I find it very interesting and believe it has future potential. I look forward to the product's release."

Ultrasonic sensor installed underwater to visualize the marine environment.

Image of feed sinking in the water.

Sensor output results. Feeding was conducted for 15 minutes starting 1 minute after the start. The black frame indicates the area with fish, and the red dotted line represents sinking feed, allowing uneaten feed to be detected.

Future Initiatives

Marine aquaculture can be broadly categorized into fish species like sea bream, for which automatic feeders have traditionally been used, and species like tuna, which are fed live bait (e.g., frozen fish) from boats without automatic feeders.

We are collaborating with Fukushin Denki Co., Ltd. (447-1 Fukuda, Fukusaki-cho, Kanzaki-gun, Hyogo, President and CEO: Kenzaburo Miyauchi), a leading manufacturer of automatic feeders for aquaculture, to develop the integration of our feeding sensor with automatic feeders. We plan to launch an automatic feeder equipped with the MagicFeeding sensor on November 11, 2026. Additionally, we are developing the feeding sensor for species that do not use automatic feeders, with sales planned for 2027.

By reducing wasted feed and cutting costs, we aim to not only stabilize the management of aquaculture operators but also reduce the burden on the ocean, contributing to a sustainable marine environment for the future.

Contact Information

Sales will begin this autumn. For inquiries regarding the product (including subsidies), please contact us at the following email address:

Email: [email protected] (For inquiries other than products, please use [email protected])

Address: 4-1-1-1004 Minatojima Nakamachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo

Phone: 078-302-7610 (Company)

HP: https://aquafusion.jp