Grant: Applied Research Tools and Instruments Grants

The aquaculture industry is an economic driver, an important source of food, and an industry that is growing globally. Every province in Canada has an aquaculture industry with its own specialty. In Ontario alone, seven species are farmed (six fish species and pacific white shrimp), resulting in over 8,000 tonnes of food produced each year. The demand and number of applied research projects undertaken at the Fleming College's Frost Campus Salmonid Hatchery has increased dramatically over the last three years. As a location for rearing aquatic species for educational purposes and some applied research applications, the manually controlled and monitored hatchery is functional, but limited.The proposed automation system will directly solve that issue and greatly increase the capacity for immediately undertaking more aquaculture applied research at Fleming College. A supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system is essential for the operation of the hatchery system when used for applied research. Without SCADA and its related sensors and software, it is extremely difficult to gather sufficient data for consistently well-informed decisions and ensuring optimal experimental and survival conditions are met. The result of increasing the number and complexity of the projects Fleming can undertake will be a stronger, more competitive, and more innovative aquaculture industry in Ontario, in Canada, and beyond. Each project will help to improve the operation, productivity, and ultimately the economic success of Fleming College's partners.