These are the three finalists for the 2023 Innovation Award!

After receiving a total of 29 applications for this year’s Innovation Award, the jury has now evaluated all the applications and nominated three candidates for the Innovation Award. A winner will be announced during Aqua Nor 2023.

The jury consisted of Kari Lisbeth Fjørtoft from Hofseth International AS (previously Møreforsking AS), Oddvar Staulen from Innovation Norway, Kjell Maroni from Norwegian Seafood Research Fund (FHF) and Jan Henrik Sandberg from The Norwegian Fishermen’s Association.

The jury’s reasoning for choosing these three nominees

After evaluating and considering the applications for this year’s Innovation Award from The Nor-Fishing Foundation, the jury has nominated the following three candidates in random order:

• Marin X Inc. (Sensor Globe)
• EVONTA-Technology
• EasyX AS

Read more about the nominees and their innovations here: 

Marin X Inc. Sensor Globe, Nova Scotia – Canada

Marin X Inc. (Sensor Globe), based in Nova Scotia, has developed a one-of-a-kind platform that employs acceleration measurements alongside water quality monitoring to enhance fish welfare and reduce mortality rates during processing operations. The Sensor Globe IoT welfare platform offers real-time monitoring capabilities, allowing fish farmers to access crucial indicators and water quality parameters at various depths and locations. This innovative platform incorporates innovative sensing technology that captures essential data, including oxygen levels, pH, temperature, conductivity, and physical acceleration/shock experienced during processing operations. By integrating acceleration measurements with comprehensive water quality monitoring, Sensor Globe aims to revolutionize fish welfare practices and improve overall survival rates in the aquaculture industry.

EVONTA-Technology GmbH, Dresden, Germany

Salmon and trout roe are artificially fertilized and kept in special containers for incubation. The determination of fertilisation rate is manual, and the result is highly dependent on the operator’s experience and knowledge.

To overcome the mentioned limitation, the fully automated device for non-destructive testing enables the capture and processing of tomographic image data achieving highest accuracy. The scanned fish eggs remain viable and are examined in their natural state. The innovative measurement method Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) has been tested in collaboration with Aqua Gen AS.

Easy X AS, Bergen, Norway

EasyX have developed the VCR robot (Vertical Cleaning Robot) for cleaning and disinfecting fish tanks in hatcheries and tanks in land-based fish farming. The robot is capable of moving vertically on smooth surfaces – regardless of material. It also eliminates several environment, health and safety challenges, such as exposure to chemicals and heights. The production efficiency is also increased. The robot is equipped with a foam nozzle and spray wand, which among other things reduces chemical consumption.

A prototype has been tested by pilot costumers and partners. Currently, this is the only robot on the market for cleaning empty tanks and vessels.

The jury’s proposition has been sent to the Board of The Nor-Fishing Foundation, and the winner of The Innovation Award will be announced during Aqua Nor 2023 in August.