Reducing risk in aquaculture - improving operational efficiency, safety and sustainability

The research project has developed new methods for improved autonomy, efficiency and safety in aquaculture operations. The work deals with issues related to operation and inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) for exposed sites, but results from the project are also relevant for more conventional aquaculture. Specifically, the project has focused on developing better location and positioning methods for remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). A risk management framework has also been prepared, based in part on methods from the oil and gas industry. In addition, methodologies for the development of operational criteria anchored in data analysis and machine learning have been made. Existing technology and operations at aquaculture facilities are still dependent on manual work for cleaning and maintenance, which exposes the operators to large forces and loads. The sea-based part of the aquaculture industry is a high-risk workplace in Norway, and exposed aquaculture can create increased safety challenges related to the working environment and management of operations. Developments in sensor technology, robotics, ICT and location methods provide an opportunity to reduce operators' manual workloads, prevent the escape of fish, and improve operational reliability and operational efficiency. Innovation in technology, autonomy and systematic risk management is therefore important for the further development of exposed aquaculture and the future aquaculture industry. One doctoral student and 1 postdoc have been funded by the project. Master's theses have also been carried out in connection with the project.

Prosjektet "Reducing Risk in Aquaculture" har bidratt til ny og verdifull kunnskap innenfor sikkerhet og effektivitet i havbruk, som kan anvendes i fremtidig forskning og næringsutvikling. Arbeidet har ført til i) et nytt rammeverk for risikostyring i havbruk, inkludert operasjonskriterier, med elementer fra risikostyring i olje og gass, ii) ny teknologi for økt autonomi, det vil si nye og forbedrede metoder for lokalisering og posisjonering av ROV på oppdrettsanlegg. Dette arbeidet forventes å ha stor nytteverdi for havbruksnæringen, leverandørindustrien og FoU-miljø. Prosjektet har utdannet en post doc og en ph.d.student. Seks masteroppgaver har blitt levert på tema knyttet til prosjektet. Dette bidrar til å gi norsk industri dyktige kandidater med spesiell kompetanse på prosjektområdet. Resultatene i prosjektet er ikke bare relevante for havbruk, men kan anvendes for andre områder med autonomi og autonome systemer, for eksempel i undervannsoperasjoner, for autonome skip osv.

This project will research and develop novel concepts for autonomous operations and technology to improve safety and efficiency in aquaculture. In particular, the project will address daily operations and inspection, maintenance, and repair (IMR) for exposed locations, but the project results will also be applicable to more sheltered fish production. Moreover, the project will assess, utilize and possibly adapt technology developed for subsea IMR in the oil and gas industry. Advances in sensor technology, robotics, ICT, and localization methods create new opportunities for reducing operators' manual workload and exposure time on the facilities at sea, for preventing fish escape, and for improving safety and operational efficiency. Current technologies and operations in fish farms are highly dependent on manual labor, which leads to close human interactions with tools and fish cage structures. The sea-based aquaculture industry is one of the most dangerous occupations in Norway, and fish farms operate at the edge of safety limits. Moving fish farms into more exposed areas will lead to increased challenges related to the working environment and management of operations. Hence, technological innovation and autonomy are important for future industry expansion. To ensure that the new concepts reduce risk to people and the environment, adequate risk management becomes even more important for sustainable fish farming operations in the future. In short, the research challenges related to this proposal are: -To research and develop a novel integrated risk management framework for aquaculture, which links occupational and major hazard risk closer to environmental performance, focusing on the opportunities for autonomy in technologies and operations. -To research and develop innovative autonomous technology for aquaculture operations related to the outcomes of the risk management framework. -To test/verify concepts in relevant NTNU/industry facilities.