Growth mapping project from Ace Aquatec shows patterns of success
06 April 2026
A pioneering project between Ace Aquatec and Hendrix Genetics is shifting the dial from mass fish monitoring to individualised growth strategies using AI driven biomass camera technology.
Hendrix Genetics is using Ace Aquatec’s A-BIOMASS® system not only to track fish weights accurately over time, but to identify individual fish, meaning the monitoring and genetics elixir, of growth and fish health, can be unobtrusively monitored over time. This provides an invaluable long-term view at the population and individual level, adding to the company’s available toolkit for genetic selection.
Plotting patterns of growth in this way has allowed Hendrix Genetics to fully understand the conditions under which their stock grows best; for example, which fish grow most in summer, and which see the most growth in colder months. They can then supply the best broodstock and eggs to their customers by matching the right fish to the right farms.
Gathering detailed patterns of growth among their stock has also meant Hendrix Genetics can optimise their feed strategy in line with peak growth periods, meaning fish receive optimal nutrition when they need it most to reach maturation. As well as the economic benefits of this approach, less feed waste means higher water quality and healthier fish.
Traditional manual sampling of fish weights can stress the animals through handling which can impact feeding. Using Ace Aquatec’s AI solution in this way provides long-term high-quality data without human intervention.
Stephen Tapping, Breeding Program Manager, Hendrix Genetics said:
“We found that to create a more accurate picture of growth cycles within our stock we required more snapshots and better quality images and to do that manually would cause unnecessary stress on the fish. Ace Aquatec’s camera has given us much more precise, individualised data collection of our fish's growth, not just the biomass of the tank, how much feed we flow in, but in plotting the actual growth of the fish. This will ultimately benefit our customers by providing the best stock for their own farming practices.”
“Aquaculture has the potential to be one of the most efficient means of protein creation for a growing population and using AI driven technology in this way is the progression that the industry needs to achieve a sustainable and affordable source of food.”
Nathan Pyne-Carter, CEO of Ace Aquatec, said:
“Our work with Hendrix Genetics has proven the application of biomass technology outside of simply monitoring the biomass of the tank. This project has shown us how data can influence everything from feed strategy to optimising fish stock for the conditions they are to be farmed, as well as early disease detection.
“The future of aquaculture is increasingly data driven and by working with partners like Hendrix Genetics, we are building a detailed picture to inform how fish production will look in the coming decades - one where seafood is providing an accessible, high welfare source of protein for the global population.
