Aquaculture 4.0: the importance of rugged connectors in aquatic environments
Aquaculture is the controlled farming of aquatic organisms – such as algae, fish and crustaceans – for food or other commercial products, as well as for the replenishment of wild stocks of endangered species. Although it has been practised by civilisations as far back as the Roman Empire – or even earlier by some reports – only recently has it become a potentially crucial industry for humanity, offering an opportunity to address at least part of the global food security issue. The aquaculture market was valued at over USD 311 billion in 2023, and is poised for significant growth, supported by increasing investment in novel technologies, modern infrastructure and digital tools.
Commercial fishing will continue to remain a vital industry, but it faces many challenges, including overfishing and harmful practices – such as bottom trawling – which can contribute to biodiversity loss and ecosystem destruction. Unlike traditional wild fisheries, aquaculture could provide a more sustainable approach to the controlled and stable production of aquatic organisms in diverse settings, from freshwater or marine to brackish water systems.1 However, the industry needs to address some of its own drawbacks before it can truly call itself an eco-friendly alternative. Perhaps the most controversial issue is the damage it can cause to the local environment, arising from the large amount of effluent produced, as well as the use of antibiotics and chemicals to treat parasitic organisms or diseased fish.
What are the most recent advancements in aquaculture technology?
Luckily, aquaculture has come a long way since Roman times, and modern aquaculture set-ups are embracing more environmentally friendly practices for long-term success. These include replacing inefficient and time-consuming methods of monitoring operations, which often detected abnormal conditions too late, impacting fish and plant welfare, decreasing yield and incurring unnecessary costs.
Modern technological approaches are addressing these issues, allowing farmers to pay closer attention to water quality, environmental conditions and feed rates. For example, a network of underwater sensors can provide actionable insights in real time – including data on water turbidity, conductivity, pH and dissolved oxygen, as well as ammonia levels – reducing the risk of environmental fluctuations and associated disease outbreaks.
The use of unmanned surface vessels and autonomous underwater vehicles has even been tested,2,3 using various communication technologies – such as Internet of Things, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth – to transmit data from the water to a central station for analysis. Along with the obvious advantages to fish and crop health, these approaches can reduce the risks of monitoring in the often extreme locations where aquaculture operations are situated.
The importance of reliable connectivity in aquaculture
What do all of these applications have in common? Yep, you guessed it – they all require robust connectivity solutions that can withstand harsh environments. Digital technologies for aquaculture applications are exposed to hostile conditions – including salt water, extreme weather, temperature fluctuations and humidity – that can wreak havoc on any instrument or connector that isn’t built to last. This is true for technologies positioned both above and below water level, with high corrosion and water ingress posing a constant threat, making sealed and robust components a must for applications in this niche market.
Bulgin’s expertise in producing environmentally sealed connectors makes us one of the world’s most trusted providers for marine applications. Our vast portfolio of IP rated power and data connectors means we have the right solution for your marine connectivity needs. The Standard Series Buccaneer range is a prime example, featuring IP68 and IP69K rated waterproof connectors that can be dragged through the mud – figuratively and literally – and still continue to work without a glitch. Even if our existing product range doesn’t meet your specifications, we have an experienced engineering team ready to create a custom solution specific to your unique requirements.
How can Bulgin support your aquaculture operations?
With aquaculture on the rise globally, it is vital that farmers remain responsible stewards of their aquatic environments, maintaining optimal conditions for their produce while minimising harm to local ecosystems in the process. Fortunately, access to digital tools and novel technologies has paved the way for greater efficiencies and more eco-friendly operations, which is where Bulgin’s solutions come into the equation. From the tropical waters of Indonesia to the icy coast of Norway, we’re happy to be supporting a thriving industry with our robust waterproof connectors.
References
1)Allied Market Research. Aquaculture Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report, by Environment, by Fish Type: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2035. (2024). https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/aquaculture-market.
2)Sousa D, Hernandez D, Oliveira F, Luís M, Sargento S. A Platform of Unmanned Surface Vehicle Swarms for Real Time Monitoring in Aquaculture Environments. Sensors. 2019; 19(21):4695. https://doi.org/10.3390/s19214695
3)Peck C, Langedock K, Boone W et al. The use of autonomous underwater vehicles for monitoring aquaculture setups in a high-energy shallow water environment: case study Belgian North Sea. Frontiers in Marine Science. 2024;11. 10.3389/fmars.2024.1386267