Muscat:The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has partnered with Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) to advance fish farming technologies through artificial intelligence. A cooperation agreement was signed to initiate an applied research project aimed at developing a commercially viable system for fish farms using AI technologies.
According to Oman News Agency, the agreement was formalized by Eng. Yaqoob bin Khalfan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry for Fisheries, and Prof. Amer bin Saif Al Hinai, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Postgraduate Studies and Research at SQU. The project's primary objective is to utilize AI and underwater imaging technologies to create an intelligent system that can automatically estimate fish weight and biomass without physical contact.
The system will also analyze feeding habits and synchronize this data with an automated feeding mechanism to precisely control feed quantities, thereby enhancing the efficiency of fish farming operations. This initiative is part of the Ministry's broader strategy to integrate modern technologies into the aquaculture sector, aiming to reduce feed waste, decrease operational costs, and improve production efficiency.
The project involves creating an integrated system for data collection and developing AI models for analyzing feeding habits and biomass estimation. It includes a cloud-based monitoring dashboard and a commercially viable operational model, designed to translate research findings into practical applications.
Set to be executed over 18 months, the project is expected to significantly contribute to the digital transformation of Oman's aquaculture sector, enhancing production efficiency, sustainability, and food security.
