Welcome   Sponsored By
Subscribe | Register | Advertise | Newsletter | About us | Contact us
If you would like to send us an article, contact Margaret Stacey
   


Expected to improve yield rates by 50% resulting in 12.5% increase in profits.

Blue Star Foods to Enhance Soft Shell Crab Shedding Operations with Artificial Intelligence and UV Light Technology

  (UNITED STATES, 7/17/2024)

Blue Star Foods Corp., an integrated Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) sustainable seafood company with a focus on Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS), that its looking to improve its soft-shell crab operations by introducing cutting-edge technology that combines Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Ultraviolet (UV) light technology to revolutionize the industry’s standard molting crab identification process.

The Atlantic blue crab, scientifically known as Callinectes sapidus, goes through a molting process where it sheds its old shell to form a new one. Identifying the precise moment when crabs are in the molting stage (busters) and harvesting them before they grow a new shell (soft crabs) is crucial for the soft-shell crab industry, as soft-shell crabs are high value seafood staple. The current traditional method of manual inspection for identifying molting crabs is not only time-consuming but also prone to errors, resulting in the company's view in high mortality rates and operational inefficiencies.

An ongoing pilot study is conducted to gather and analyze key performance indicators in the traditional manual method versus the AI-UV system across all shifts.

Challenges & Solution
The high labor costs in the soft-shell crab shedding industry are primarily attributed to visually & manually identifying molting crabs (busters) from non-molting ones (peelers). By implementing an AI system combined with UV light technology, the identification process can be automated, significantly reducing labor hours and costs, enhancing operational efficiency, and decreasing mortality rates.

The traditional inpection method is time-consuming and also prone to errors.

Blue Star's pilot facility operates 24/7 with three shifts. First shift from 6 am to 2 pm, Second shift from 2 pm to 10 pm, Third shift (night shift) from 10 pm to 6 am. Observations indicate that during the night shift, crabs molt at a higher rate. Production peaks during this time, with a 30% increase in molting crabs compared to the first and second shifts. Workers during the night shift are more likely to be tired or distracted, making it more difficult for them to accurately identify busters.

This increases the likelihood of errors and missed busters, which negatively impact the yield and overall efficiency, resulting in lower survival rate when comparing with the other 2 shifts. In this traditional industry method, the correlation between increase molting and mortality rate, shown an exponential growth curve. However; in AI-UV light, we predict the correlation to be a logistical growth curve. As molting rate increases, a mortality rate stabilized over time as the AI system maps its processes.

The integration of AI with UV light technology is expected to accurately and efficiently identify molting crabs, leading to reduced labor hours, operational costs, and mortality rates.

By harnessing the power of AI and UV light technology, this innovative approach aims to automate the identification process by training the system to recognize the specific physiological changes in crabs during molting. UV light will enhance the identification process by highlighting these changes, enabling AI algorithms to differentiate between busters and peelers accurately.

The groundbreaking initiative represents a significant step forward in transforming the soft-shell crab shedding process.

 Operational Analysis and Expected Benefits
The implementation of AI and UV light technology is forecasted to result in a reduction in labor costs (currently 15% of Blue Star Food’s soft-shell crab revenues), increased operational efficiency, and improve the current yield rates by 50%, resulting in potential increase profits of approximately 12.5% or $9 per dozen [(*) based on the company's 2024 season average selling prices] of live soft-shell crabs.

Atlantic blue crab.

The AI system can operate continuously without fatigue, ensuring prompt and accurate identification of molting crabs, thereby enhancing overall operational efficiency.

Furthermore, the technology will aid in identifying the optimal removal time for soft-shell crabs post-molting, maximizing their quality and market value while increasing the company's average biennial 75% survival rates and operational profitability.

Pilot Study
An ongoing pilot study is conducted to gather and analyze key performance indicators in the traditional manual method versus the AI-UV system across all shifts, focusing on those KPI’s such as accuracy, labor hours, mortality rates, and its costs.

Using AI Software to create a vision system that monitors crab tanks under UV light, identifying molting crabs based on fluorescence changes. Its graphical interface simplifies the process of setting up and adjusting the vision system as needed, crucial for accurately monitoring crab molting processes.

This groundbreaking initiative represents a significant step forward in transforming the soft-shell crab shedding process, paving the way for increased operational survival rate efficiently, reduced labor costs, hence improved profitability.

Blue Star has been proudly processing, packaging and selling pasteurized Blue Crab meat since 1995 with products sold in the U.K., Europe, U.S.A., Mexico, Canada, The Caribbean and Asia.

 About Blue Star Foods Corp.


Blue Star Foods Corp. an integrated Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) sustainable seafood company with a focus on Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS) that processes, packages and sells high-value seafood products. The Company believes it utilizes best-in-class technology, in both resource sustainability management and traceability, and ecological packaging. The Company also owns and operates the oldest continuously operating Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) full grow-out salmon farm in North America. The company is based in Miami, Florida.

Source: Blue Star Foods

Previous News


[email protected]
www.seafood.media


Information of the company:
Address: 3000 NW 109th Ave
City: Miami
State/ZIP: Florida (33172)
Country: United States
Phone: +1 305 836 6858
Fax: +1 305 503 0880
E-Mail: [email protected]
More about:


Location:

View Larger Map


Approval / Accreditation / Certified / Oversight by...
HACCP  USDA/USDC & FDA 



 Print


Click to know how to advertise in FIS
MORE ARTICLES
Ocean 14 Capital Fund has partnered with aquaManager to develop a new technology platform for the aquaculture industry
The Norwegian Seafood Council launches new Campaign with Haaland videos
Océan Délices increases productivity with precision slicing technology
Kasumigaseki Capital’s Bold Move to Transform the Refrigerated Warehouse Industry
Hirtshals ready for more fishing vessels
Salmon Evolution is not only achieving impressive economic results but also setting a new standard with its pioneering model and technology
Maersk reports strong results across all business segments
Wärtsilä’s Interim Report January–September 2024
Viet Uc Seafood: Raising the Standard for Vietnamese Shrimp
The Seafood Council launches the 'Godfisk' campaign with Haaland
Seafood New Zealand: 'Fisheries And Aquaculture – So Much In Common'
High Liner Foods Opens the Market in Celebration of their 125th Anniversary
From Expansion to Sustainability: Companies of Schwarz Group at Expo Real 2024
Sushiro is celebrating its 41st year by being 'straight to sushi!'
This year's first 'Saba Nouveau' mackerel is launched again in Japan
Falkland celebrates Patagonian Toothfish Month
Kura Sushi's largest store ever to open at the 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo!
Nissui's new ship 'Daihachi Koyo Maru' for Tokai Fisheries
ACEL Group enters into a historic double contract with Artec Aqua
China launches 1st wind power-fish to withstand typhoons
More Articles...

Lenguaje
FEATURED EVENTS
  
TOP STORIES
Falklands Argos Group receives freezer trawler to catch squid
Spain Just a few weeks after the delivery of Prion to its Spanish-Falklands joint venture owners, the Nodosa Shipyard in Marín has delivered a second 85-metre freezer trawler designed to catch squid in ...
Chubut Province Offers Services to China's Unregulated Fishing Fleet
Argentina The Chubut government offered the IUU (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated) fishing fleet of China supplies in the ports of the province, according to what was revealed after a meeting between Governo...
Southeast Pacific Squid Index: Giant squid (dosidicus gigas)
China In order to continuously enhance the ability to control squid resources and price influence, and conduct more accurate resource assessment and forecasting, the China Ocean Fisheries Association&n...
Sustainable Tasmanian Sardine Fishery a Step Closer
Australia The Tasmanian Government is pleased to announce promising developments toward the establishment of a sustainable sardine fishery, an initiative that would bolster job creation, open new economic oppor...
 

Maruha Nichiro Corporation
Nichirei Corporation - Headquarters
Pesquera El Golfo S.A.
Ventisqueros - Productos del Mar Ventisqueros S.A
Wärtsilä Corporation - Wartsila Group Headquarters
ITOCHU Corporation - Headquarters
BAADER - Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud. Baader GmbH+Co.KG (Head Office)
Inmarsat plc - Global Headquarters
Marks & Spencer
Tesco PLC (Supermarket) - Headquarters
Sea Harvest Corporation (PTY) Ltd. - Group Headquarters
I&J - Irvin & Johnson Holding Company (Pty) Ltd.
AquaChile S.A. - Group Headquarters
Pesquera San Jose S.A.
Nutreco N.V. - Head Office
CNFC China National Fisheries Corporation - Group Headquarters
W. van der Zwan & Zn. B.V.
SMMI - Sunderland Marine Mutual Insurance Co., Ltd. - Headquarters
Icicle Seafoods, Inc
Starkist Seafood Co. - Headquearters
Trident Seafoods Corp.
American Seafoods Group LLC - Head Office
Marel - Group Headquarters
SalMar ASA - Group Headquarters
Sajo Industries Co., Ltd
Hansung Enterprise Co.,Ltd.
BIM - Irish Sea Fisheries Board (An Bord Iascaigh Mhara)
CEFAS - Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science
COPEINCA ASA - Corporacion Pesquera Inca S.A.C.
Chun Cheng Fishery Enterprise Pte Ltd.
VASEP - Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters & Producers
Gomes da Costa
Furuno Electric Co., Ltd. (Headquarters)
NISSUI - Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd. - Group Headquarters
FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization - Fisheries and Aquaculture Department (Headquarter)
Hagoromo Foods Co., Ltd.
Koden Electronics Co., Ltd. (Headquarters)
A.P. Møller - Maersk A/S - Headquarters
BVQI - Bureau Veritas Quality International (Head Office)
UPS - United Parcel Service, Inc. - Headquarters
Brim ehf (formerly HB Grandi Ltd) - Headquarters
Hamburg Süd Group - (Headquearters)
Armadora Pereira S.A. - Grupo Pereira Headquarters
Costa Meeresspezialitäten GmbH & Co. KG
NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Headquarters)
Mowi ASA (formerly Marine Harvest ASA) - Headquarters
Marubeni Europe Plc -UK-
Findus Ltd
Icom Inc. (Headquarter)
WWF Centroamerica
Oceana Group Limited
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Ajinomoto Co., Inc. - Headquarters
Friosur S.A. - Headquarters
Cargill, Incorporated - Global Headquarters
Benihana Inc.
Leardini Pescados Ltda
CJ Corporation  - Group Headquarters
Greenpeace International - The Netherlands | Headquarters
David Suzuki Foundation
Fisheries and Oceans Canada -Communications Branch-
Mitsui & Co.,Ltd - Headquarters
NOREBO Group (former Ocean Trawlers Group)
Natori Co., Ltd.
Carrefour Supermarket - Headquarters
FedEx Corporation - Headquarters
Cooke Inc. - Group Headquarters
AKBM - Aker BioMarine ASA
Seafood Choices Alliance -Headquarter-
Austevoll Seafood ASA
Walmart | Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Supermarket) - Headquarters
New Japan Radio Co.Ltd (JRC) -Head Office-
Gulfstream JSC
Marine Stewardship Council - MSC Worldwide Headquarters
Royal Dutch Shell plc (Headquarter)
Genki Sushi Co.,Ltd -Headquarter-
Iceland Pelagic ehf
AXA Assistance Argentina S.A.
Caterpillar Inc. - Headquarters
Tiger Brands Limited
SeaChoice
National Geographic Society
AmazonFresh, LLC - AmazonFresh

Copyright 1995 - 2024 Seafood Media Group Ltd.| All Rights Reserved.   DISCLAIMER