Karatsu City and Umitron Partner to Improve Karatsu Q Saba (Chub Mackerel) Aquaculture using IoT and AI Technology

Umitron K. K. (Location: Tokyo, Co-founder / CEO Ken Fujiwara, hereinafter Umitron) has started work with the Kyushu University faculty of agriculture and University of Miyazaki faculty of agriculture on a new project titled: Expansion of full-life cycle production of saba (chub mackerel) for export. Umitron will cooperate with aqua farmers in the Karatsu Genkai area and demonstrate effective aquaculture management by using AI and IoT technology. The project aims to improve the stable and sustainable production of farmed saba.

Background

Karatsu Q Saba is a chub mackerel that is farmed from egg to plate, the techniques for the full life cycle production of saba has been jointly developed by Karatsu City and Kyushu University. Since the production of this mackerel is carefully controlled throughout the entire life cycle from egg collection to grow out, the risk of parasites such as Anisakis infecting the fish is extremely low. This is important since it is a popular species to be eaten raw as sushi or sashimi where it has a unique, fatty taste. Normally farmed saba has a high mortality rate as compared to other farmed fish species, making it challenging to ensure stable and predictable  production levels. Umitron will cooperate with farmers in the Karatsu Genkai area and collect data to analyze the growth rate of saba using AI and IoT technology, as well as use ocean environment data to help optimize saba operations. The project aims to expand the supply of safe, secure, and high-quality Karatsu Q Saba by increasing the survival rate, while simultaneously reducing feeding costs and the farmers’ workload.

Project Goals

1. Establish the optimum method of Karatsu Q Saba production

• Demonstrate an improvement in growth rates while reducing feeding costs by collecting ocean environment data and providing  smart feeding technology..
• Observing the mackerel by installing an underwater monitoring system to analyze the cause of death to improve the survival rate.

      2. Reduce farmer’s workload and improve farm safety

• Verify a reduction in the farmer’s workload by introducing smart feeding technology that utilizes IoT to provide remote control and monitoring. 

Implementation Period

9th October 2020 to 31st March 2023

About UMITRON

UMITRON is a Singapore and Japan based deeptech company whose aim is to solve worldwide food and environmental problems by empowering aquaculture through technology. We build user-friendly data platforms for aquaculture by using IoT, satellite remote sensing, and artificial intelligence (AI). Our technology helps farmers improve farm efficiency, manage environmental risks, and in turn increase business revenues. Our final goal is to utilize computer models in combination with aquaculture to help the world sustainably and efficiently deliver protein in a human-friendly and nature-friendly way. Ultimately, we aim to “install Sustainable Aquaculture on Earth”.