Aquacraft Launches AI-Powered Fish Tail Counting Service for Aquaculture

Aquacraft's Innovative Approach to Aquaculture

Aquacraft Inc., based in Higashiyamato, Tokyo, has recently launched a groundbreaking service called 'uwotech Tail Counting.' This offering, set to commence in March 2026, leverages artificial intelligence to automate the counting of fish tails using videos captured on smartphones during vaccination procedures.

The service promises to provide results in just 2 to 3 business days after analyzing the recorded video, making it a hassle-free solution for aquaculturists. The best part? The initial release version is free, requiring no special equipment or installation, ensuring accessibility for small and medium-sized operators in the aquaculture sector.

Key Drivers Behind the Development

In aquaculture, accurately tracking the number of fish in a pond is crucial for effective management. Miscounting can lead to inefficient feeding practices, increased feed costs, unplanned shipping adjustments, and even overuse of vaccines. Notably, feed constitutes about 60-70% of production costs in fish farming, and with prices for aquaculture feed continuously climbing since 2020, precise counting has become more essential than ever.

Furthermore, recent statistics reveal a concerning trend in the fishing workforce. The 2023 Fisheries Census indicates that the number of industry workers has decreased by over 20% in the past five years, with a substantial portion of individuals being over 65 years old. This demographic trend emphasizes the pressing issues of labor shortages and aging in the aquaculture field. Manual counting of fish, which can number in the thousands, becomes an overwhelming task for the dwindling workforce.

Recognizing these challenges, the Japanese government’s Fisheries Agency is promoting the integration of ICT and AI technologies into the sector as part of their initiative for a 'smart fishing industry.' Traditional automated counting machines require substantial investment, ranging from 2 million to 10 million yen, along with costly installation, making such systems prohibitive for smaller aquaculture businesses.

It was with these challenges in mind that Aquacraft developed the 'uwotech Tail Counting' service, utilizing cloud-based technology to streamline counting processes without breaking the bank.

Understanding the 'uwotech Tail Counting' Service

The 'uwotech Tail Counting' service utilizes AI to analyze video footage captured during the vaccination or distribution stages of fish production. The only requirement for users is to have a smartphone, as there are no additional costs associated with specific equipment or installation work. This allows aquaculture farmers to simply position their smartphones above troughs to record the required footage.

Moreover, the service offers unlimited free counting during the initial data collection phase, aimed at improving the AI's accuracy through data accumulation. While the initial version is free, users can opt for a premium version that provides in-depth analysis for a fee of 5,000 yen per session (excluding tax) for those seeking higher accuracy.

Results are provided via email after a brief processing period, making the entire experience straightforward and efficient. Users can just 'capture and send' the footage for evaluation, eliminating the need for complex operations on-site.

Future Directions

Looking ahead, Aquacraft plans to enhance the AI counting model's accuracy through continued data collection from users of the 'uwotech Tail Counting' service. The ambition is to eventually offer real-time counting capabilities. Furthermore, integration with production management services like 'uwotech pro' and the data utilization platform 'uwotech connect' is in the pipeline. This holistic approach aims to leverage counting data for effective pond and management practices, fostering greater synergy between different services on offer.

About Aquacraft

Founded with the vision of ensuring 'delicious fish grace dining tables as an everyday norm for future generations,' Aquacraft is a software development company dedicated to driving digital transformation (DX) in fish farming. By harnessing the power of data and technology, Aquacraft aims to support producers from behind the scenes.

- Location: Nishiki Building 203, 1-18-16, Tachino, Higashiyamato, Tokyo
- CEO: Makoto Kaji
- Established: July 2022
- Business Focus: Planning, development, sales, and maintenance of data analysis and management services for aquaculture businesses, alongside the design, development, manufacturing, and distribution of software and hardware products.
- Website: aquacraft.blue