Introduction to the ADPAC Project

Hi there, thanks for visiting our site and welcome to our project! You may have clicked on this article because you’re asking yourself – “What is an ADPAC and why does it exist?” This article will take you through WHAT the project aims to achieve and HOW, WHY it exists and WHO’s involved.

Let’s dive in…

What is the ADPAC project?

Advancing Digital Precision Aquaculture in China. The project aims to advance aquaculture in China towards ‘Aquaculture 4.0’ – a highly connected and automated cyber-physical system using digital technologies. In other words, we are developing a remote network of wirelessly connected sensor packages for monitoring water quality conditions. This allows farm operators to make informed management and husbandry decisions in real time and support automated systems such as feeding. This will be achieved by bringing together state-of-the-art sensors, 5G IoT connectivity and Big Data analytics into one integrated package.

Why does the project exist and what is the significance of Aquaculture 4.0?

In 2016, aquaculture production in China reached 49m tonnes and accounted for 61.5% of the worlds’ food fish production from aquaculture. Although China is the largest contributor by far in terms of volume, the efficiency at which the food is produced is extremely low often resulting in; high labour intensity, high consumption of energy and water, and severe environmental pollution. The Aquaculture 4.0 initiative aims to drive a digital transformation of traditional, extensive farming towards modern precision farming to improve efficiency and yields to meet the protein requirements of an expanding population whilst reducing the industry’s environmental footprint.

This project has been made possible by the Newton Fund delivering support through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).

What does the project entail and how will it contribute to improving production and promoting collaboration between the UK and China?

The aims of the project will be achieved through the following objectives:

- To develop an innovation roadmap to guide the implementation of state-of-the-art technologies

- To apply, test and validate the latest sensor technologies for monitoring water quality and fish behaviour

- To design and implement a novel 5G based IoT platform for real-time transmission of sensor network data

- To design and implement advanced data analytics and visualisation systems for data-driven, real-time control, optimisation and management of industrial aquaculture production

- To pilot the application of the prototype system in two industrial mariculture farms in China and demonstrate the economic, environmental and social benefits.

Following these steps, our consortium will design a flow-through cabinet system equipped with an advanced sensor suite and 5G wireless connectivity. This will allow data visualisation and operational control through dedicated, cloud-based software. Continuous communication and collaboration between UK and Chinese partners has helped to foster relationships between the participating organisations and we are proud to be contributing towards China’s goal of automating and industrialising their aquaculture industry.

Who’s involved?

The project is being carried out by a consortium of industrial and academic partners which you’ll find listed below. For more information, head on over to our ‘About Us’ page!

Chelsea Technologies Ltd

Chinese Agricultural University

University of Surrey

Perceptive Engineering Ltd

University of Bedfordshire

Ocean University of China

Chongqing Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Laizhou Mingbo Aquatic Co.

Guolian Aquatic Products Co.

UK Research & Innovation

If you would like to learn more about the project, or discuss any of the concepts in more detail, please don’t hesitate to contact us on Twitter or contact skirby@chelsea.co.uk.