Underwater robots developed by Stingray Marine Solutions are being used at Norwegian fish farms to detect and eliminate individual sea lice from salmon and trout using high-precision lasers. The systems combine stereo cameras, blue illumination and laser technology, allowing them to identify parasites while the fish swim freely.
Blue light improves the visual contrast between the parasites and the salmon’s skin, helping the system’s software distinguish the target from its host.
According to Stingray, the devices can emit up to five laser pulses per second and operate continuously, 24 hours a day. The company says that more than 2,000 of its robots are currently protecting over 50 million salmon and trout at Norwegian fish farms.
Sea lice are a major challenge for Norway’s salmon farming industry. The parasites attach themselves to fish and feed on their skin, causing tissue damage, stress and deteriorating health among millions of farmed animals.
Conventional parasite-control methods used across the industry create additional animal welfare concerns. These include mechanical removal and thermal treatment, which involves briefly immersing fish in hot water to remove the parasites.
The Norwegian Veterinary Institute identifies injuries sustained during parasite treatments as one of the main causes of mortality and reduced welfare among farmed salmon. Laser-based systems offer an alternative approach aimed at targeting parasites while reducing the need for direct handling of the fish.
