Aquaticode Partners with Cooke ESPAÑA to Innovate AI Phenotyping in Aquaculture

Aquaticode and Cooke ESPAÑA have joined forces to revolutionize the hatchery process for sea bass and sea bream through the development of an advanced AI phenotyping system. Traditionally, hatcheries have depended on manual visual assessments to detect weak or unviable fish at early stages, a method that is not only labor-intensive but also presents a high degree of variability and limited biological accuracy.

The Need for Technological Evolution

In response to the industry’s challenges, Aquaticode has entered into a strategic agreement with Cooke ESPAÑA to create an AI-focused product line aimed at facilitating earlier and more consistent decisions in hatcheries. This collaboration represents a forward-thinking approach to applying AI phenotyping technology to fry at a commercial scale—an innovative shift for the aquaculture sector.

Expert Insights

Stian Rognlid, the CEO of Aquaticode, emphasized the significance of early decision-making in aquaculture, stating, “Early-stage decisions have an outsized impact on the sustainability and profitability of aquaculture. This collaboration is about exploring how AI phenotyping can help hatcheries make those decisions earlier, with greater biological insight.”

Benefits of AI Phenotyping

Utilizing AI in hatchery production can enable the immediate identification of developmental issues and weak indicators in fish fry. This proactive approach allows producers to minimize unnecessary expenses related to feed, labor, tank capacity, and energy consumption. The outcome is not only a reduction in production costs but also results in uniform growth trajectories, enhanced welfare outcomes, and a significantly lowered environmental footprint through reduced feed waste.

A Commitment to Excellence

Alberto Morente, Juvenile Production Manager at Cooke ESPAÑA, noted, “In sea bass and sea bream, variation strongly influences long-term performance. Exploring a technology-driven approach to identifying unviable fry allows us to improve animal welfare, as well as direct space, feed, and attention toward stronger groups from the start. It brings scientific precision to a step of the production cycle that has historically depended on manual judgement.”

A Strategic Expansion

This partnership signifies a strategic expansion of Aquaticode’s species roadmap, aligning with their broader mission to deploy AI-based phenotyping solutions across a wider array of species and stages within the aquaculture value chain.

About Aquaticode

Aquaticode stands at the forefront of AI phenotyping and sorting technology for aquaculture. The company has established itself as a leader, employing multi-sensor imaging and deep learning systems that have processed tens of millions of salmon, thereby offering hatcheries real-time insights into fish health, robustness, and performance.

About Cooke ESPAÑA

Part of Cooke Inc., Cooke ESPAÑA is a top-tier Mediterranean aquaculture firm specializing in the production of sea bass, sea bream, and meagre. With four decades of industry experience and operating under the brands Culmarex and Bandera Bronzini, the company prioritizes innovation, sustainability, and fish welfare while serving markets in both Europe and North America. Recent expansions include new hatchery facilities located in the beautiful Balearic Islands.

Image: Alberto Morente, Cooke ESPAÑA and Stian Rognlid, Aquaticode. Credit Aquaticode