- Global reliance on seafood for protein is increasing, with aquaculture setting new production records.
- Wittaya Aqua, a Canadian startup, uses AI to optimize seafood supply chains for profitability and sustainability.
- Recently secured $2.8 million in funding to expand operations in Asia, targeting growth through data-driven practices.
- Platform integrates science-based models for predicting animal growth and optimizing feed strategies in real-time.
- Addresses industry inefficiencies by consolidating data across the aquaculture supply chain, enhancing decision-making.
Main AI News:
More than 3 billion people globally rely on seafood for protein, with aquaculture hitting record production levels. According to recent data, 89% of aquatic animals are directly consumed by humans, highlighting growing global demand for seafood. Startups in aquaculture are leveraging AI to boost production and sustainability.
One standout is Canada’s Wittaya Aqua. Its platform integrates seafood supply chain data to enhance profitability, sustainability, and efficiency. Wittaya Aqua recently secured $2.8 million in seed funding to expand across Asia, particularly in Singapore, a pivotal hub since 2023.
“Our vision extends beyond Canada, with Asia playing a crucial role. The region leads global aquaculture, making a substantial seafood contribution,” remarked Evan Hall, co-founder and CEO of Wittaya Aqua. “Southeast Asia, while already a major producer, holds vast growth potential through data-driven practices.”
Major aquaculture nations include China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and South Korea as top producers.
The startup’s AI-driven platform enhances science-based models, predicting animal growth and optimizing feed types and quantities based on real-time data and growth forecasts. Machine learning analyzes historical data and environmental factors to optimize crop yields.
Founded in 2017 by wildlife photographer Evan Hall and aquaculture expert Dominique Bureau from the University of Guelph, Wittaya Aqua addresses industry data silos and inefficiencies. Hall’s fisheries background underscored the need to streamline data management from field to analysis.
Traditionally fragmented and slow, aquaculture data hindered informed decisions, noted Hall. Wittaya Aqua consolidates data from farmers, feed mills, and suppliers into a unified platform, offering transparency and actionable insights.
“A unified view empowers science-based models, providing actionable insights,” Hall added. “Farmers gauge feed impacts on growth and benchmark performance; feed mills refine strategies based on farm-specific data.”
Users include ingredient suppliers, feed mills, and farmers. Wittaya Aqua, in revenue generation, counts BioMar, De Heus, Uni-President, US Soybean Export Council, and AquaChile among clients.
Projected to reach $355.6 billion by 2033, the global aquaculture market grows from $299 billion in 2023 (Precedence Research). Wittaya Aqua competes with solutions like Fieldin, Taranis, eFishery, Victory Farms, Atarraya, and AquaEasy, offering nutritional insights and broad species management.
Long-term, Wittaya plans to enhance farmer financial stability, mitigating production risks with data insights and linking users to tailored financial products.
With teams in Canada and Singapore, Wittaya Aqua continues its growth trajectory.
Conclusion:
Wittaya Aqua’s innovative use of AI to streamline aquaculture operations and enhance sustainability marks a significant advancement in the market. By addressing data fragmentation and inefficiencies, the company not only boosts productivity for seafood farmers but also sets a precedent for integrating advanced technologies into traditional industries. This approach not only supports global food security efforts but also positions Wittaya Aqua strongly amidst growing demand for sustainable aquaculture solutions.
