The tool is based entirely on computer vision and AI-driven data.
Aquabyte
Aquabyte has confirmed that its non-invasive image-based method for estimating fish maturation has received formal approval from the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST).
Based entirely on computer vision and AI-driven data, it is the first internationally approved, fully automated indicator designed for animal welfare.
Regarding this achievement, Per Erik Hansen, Director of Regulatory & External Affairs at Aquabyte, said: "This milestone marks a significant step forward in the digital transformation of aquaculture and fish welfare monitoring. It demonstrates how regulatory authorities, industry, and technology providers can work together to drive real impact."
"With this new tool, fish farming companies no longer need to dissect 200 fish at each site to assess the maturation stage of the salmon. This benefits fish welfare and makes it easier to prevent sexual maturation of farmed salmon in sea pens - an important objective," Karl Steinar Óskarsson, MASTA Head of the Aquaculture Department, explained.
From now on, Icelandic producers will have access to a standardized reporting module directly within the Aquabyte User Portal and will be able to generate site-specific, regulatory-compliant documentation. This enables the non-manual monitoring of sexual maturation without harming or interfering with the welfare of the fish.
Aquabyte's tool has been developed and tested at the Arctic Fish harvesting facility in Bolungarvík, northwest Iceland.
Finally, Arctic Fish COO Farming John Gunnar Grindskar noted: "This new method of automated maturation scoring delivers deeper insight in a way that benefits everyone from fish farmers and regulators to the fish themselves. It’s about using better data to make better decisions."
