Fish farms go high tech to net more gains

Online system monitors water to prevent repeat of plankton disaster
Jessica Lim Straits Times 21 Jun 10;

FISH farmers are installing an early-warning system that monitors water quality and alerts them when it falls.

They do not even have to be at the farms to check, for example, the levels of dissolved oxygen and water temperature, as the system can be accessed through the Internet.

Three farmers, among those who lost thousands of dollars worth of fish stocks when a plankton bloom hit Singapore last year, have each paid $115,000 for the system.

At least 15 other farms in the Pasir Ris-Pulau Ubin area are also looking into installing the system by the end of the year. The thought of another financial setback is too scary for them to contemplate.

The pioneering trio of farmers got in touch with local water testing company Shecey in February and worked with it to come up with the system comprising an above-ground display panel, sensors placed in the water, 3m down, and closed-circuit television cameras.

If oxygen levels fall too low - such as when a sudden mushrooming of plankton takes place - alarms will go off to alert those on the farm.

A text message will also be sent to the farm's owner, who can remotely activate the farm's oxygen pumps.

The farmers dug into their own pockets to pay for the pilot project, but they are hoping to be able to claim the cost, as well as that for future installations, from the Food Fund managed by the Agri- Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA).

A sum of $5 million was put into that kitty last year for the food production industry, aimed at helping Singapore reduce its dependence on a few overseas suppliers of food.

The farmers who have sent in applications for funding say such water-monitoring systems are sorely needed.

Mr Philip Lim, who led the group in coming up with the system, said: 'Without it, I just wouldn't feel safe investing in so many fry and pumping all my money into my farm any more.'

Referring to the plankton bloom that hit his five-year-old farm in December, the 47-year-old added: 'It was so devastating that we need more assurance to continue.'

He lost about $150,000 with the death of 100,000 fish, mostly snappers and groupers. Altogether, 400,000 fish died.

Plankton blooms happen when one species of these drifting marine organisms predominates and multiplies quickly. The enlarged population uses up the oxygen in the water, which leads to fish and other animals suffocating.

But with the monitoring and warning system in place, the farmers will feel reassured about upping their production.

Fish farmer Lee Van Voon, 44, harvested about four tonnes of fish last year. With the system keeping watch, he is confident he can more than double his output to 10 tonnes this year.

He said as he tinkered with the system's display panel: 'It is different now. See, if oxygen levels fall below four milligrams per litre, I will immediately know. It is safe to farm now.'

The system can be expanded to also monitor water acidity and pollution levels, said Mr Lee, who lost $2,000 because of the bloom.

Mr Lim also plans to increase his farm output, as have the 15 other farmers who now also want the system on their farms.

AVA spokesman Goh Shih Yong said all applications for funding will be evaluated.

He also disclosed that the agency was testing its own early-alert system for plankton blooms, but that it would take time to design one that was accurate, cost-effective, easy to maintain, reliable and suitable for the waters here.

Only 4 per cent of the fish consumed here is farmed locally. The AVA hopes to take this figure up to 15 per cent in five years.

Meanwhile, the farmers say they cannot afford to wait until the AVA comes up with its system.

Mr Lee said: 'Who knows when that system will be ready? The plankton bloom wiped out all our stock. We have to start rearing a new batch right now. We can't wait around.'