This research has been co‐financed by the European Union and Greek national funds through the Operational Program Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, under the call RESEARCH – CREATE – INNOVATE (project code: T2EDK- 02504).
July 2020 – July 2023
Budget: 922.625,00€
PROJECT ABSTRACT
The project concerns the construction of a robotic underwater vehicle (ROV) for the inspection and repair of fish farms in Greece using Computational Vision, in order to identify anomalies and damage. At the same time, it will collect measurements to research and improve the growth rate of products. On the second level quality control of fish and evaluation of their nutritional value will be carried out by measuring quality indicators such as eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid, biogenic amines, trimethylamine and others.
Fish are considered to be a source of animal protein and fat of high nutritional value. More specifically ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids containing and especially eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid have been associated with a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases, proper brain function, etc. These reasons arise in the fact that the value of world trade in fish and fishery products has increased significantly, while exports are rising globally from $ 8 billion in 1976 to $ 143 billion in 2016. Based on the assumption of greater demand and technological improvements , world fish production (capture and aquaculture, excluding aquatic plants) is expected to continue to rise during the projection period, reaching 201 million tonnes in 2030.
The intent of this work is the use of robotics and electronic vision to make this work easier and cheaper for aquaculture units. This is a demanding need for the Greek aquaculture industry, a very important sector for the Greek economy and in sensitive areas such as the remote coast or the islands, where unemployment is greater and facilities are more difficult and costly.
At the same time, this equipment will also perform measurements for the purpose of research to improve the company’s products. On the second level, the evaluation – ensuring the quality of the products produced – is now a legal requirement and a prerequisite for the production of safe products and their successful marketing, gaining consumer confidence.