Natalie Testa
Reaction score
3

Blog Latest activity Posts About

  • AI in Seaweed Farming: Building a Sustainable Blue Economy

    Image from Unsplash

    Image by Kristin Hoel on Unsplash.

    What if the future of sustainable agriculture wasn't on land, but beneath our ocean's surface? Seaweed farming is rapidly emerging as a vital component of the blue economy that can be integrated into sustainable aquaculture operations, helping to create jobs in coastal communities and even mitigate the impacts of climate change on a local scale.1 With the growing demand for seaweed in food, pharmaceuticals, and biofuels, farmers face the challenge of maximizing crop yields, minimizing losses, and increasing profit margins—all while maintaining sustainability.

    That's where AI steps in.

    AI technologies, such as remote sensors, predictive algorithms, and underwater robots, are helping farmers optimize seaweed cultivation in several ways. AI-powered sensors can monitor ocean conditions, assess water quality, and detect potential threats like disease or pollution.2 Autonomous underwater vehicles are being developed to monitor seaweed growth, estimate biomass, and perform selective harvesting, reducing the need for manual labor and minimizing disruptions to the ecosystem.3,4 Post-harvest, AI can be used to monitor the quality of seaweed that may be contaminated prior to processing for human consumption.5

    As seaweed farming continues to expand, AI helps automate and optimize operations, increasing productivity and making seaweed a key sustainable resource for both food security and a more equitable blue economy.​

    From farming to finance, AI is driving innovation across sectors. How has AI impacted your professional life?


    References:

    1. Ross FWR, Boyd PW, Filbee-Dexter K, et al. Potential role of seaweeds in climate change mitigation. Sci Total Environ. 2023;885:163699. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163699

    2. Samudra - Product. Samudra. Accessed December 31, 2024. https://www.samudraoceans.com/product

    3. Overrein MM, Tinn P, Aldridge D, Johnsen G, Fragoso GM. Biomass estimations of cultivated kelp using underwater RGB images from a mini-ROV and computer vision approaches. Front Mar Sci. 2024;11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2024.1324075

    4. Solvang T, Bale ES, Broch OJ, Handa A. Automation concepts for industrial-scale production of seaweed. Front Mar Sci. Published online October 22, 2024. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.613093

    5. Could AI revolutionise the farmed seaweed industry? The Fish Site. September 21, 2023. Accessed December 31, 2024. https://thefishsite.com/articles/could-ai-revolutionise-the-farmed-seaweed-industry
  • Loading…
  • Loading…
  • Loading…
Back
Top