About
OptoScale is a Norwegian aquaculture technology company that delivers real-time, AI-powered monitoring solutions for fish farming. Its core hardware, the Bioscope, is submerged into fish pens at the level of the fish school and captures tens of thousands of images per day. These images feed into four specialized software modules—Weight, Lice, Welfare, and Behavior—accessible through a unified portal on mobile, tablet, or PC. The Weight module provides precise average weight, K-factor, size distribution, and growth rate data—eliminating the need for manual sampling. The Lice module automates sea lice counting, covering more fish per count with daily updated figures to enable faster response to outbreaks. The Welfare module enables visual inspection and precise fish welfare assessment without removing fish from the water. The Behavior module sends real-time alerts when key indicators such as breathing frequency, swimming speed, or tilt change, allowing operators to act before minor issues escalate. A Feeding module uses precise pellet detection to deliver objective data that supports feeding decisions and can trigger automatic alarms mid-meal. The system is Plug & Play—ready to transmit data immediately upon deployment—and generates between 10,000 and 40,000 validated measurements per unit per day. Data is accessible via API for integration with third-party analytics and management systems. OptoScale serves fish farmers seeking to improve welfare, reduce costs, and optimize production with science-backed, automated insight.
Key Features
- Automated Sea Lice Counting: Daily automated lice counts covering more fish per session than manual methods, with real-time alerts enabling faster treatment decisions.
- Precision Weight & Biomass Measurement: Delivers average weight, K-factor, size distribution, and growth rate data from 10,000–40,000 validated measurements per unit per day.
- Behavior & Welfare Monitoring: Real-time alerts when breathing frequency, swimming speed, or tilt change, plus visual welfare inspection—all without removing fish from water.
- Feeding Optimization Module: Precise pellet detection provides objective feeding data and supports automated alarms during feeding sessions.
- Unified Portal with API Access: All modules are accessible via a single intuitive portal on any device, with API integration for third-party analytics and management systems.
Use Cases
- Salmon and trout farmers monitoring daily biomass growth to optimize harvest timing and feed conversion ratios.
- Aquaculture operators automating sea lice surveillance to reduce treatment response time and minimize chemical usage.
- Fish welfare managers using behavior and welfare modules to detect early signs of disease or stress without removing fish from water.
- Feed managers using pellet detection data to reduce feed waste and improve feeding efficiency across large pen operations.
- Aquaculture companies integrating real-time fish data via API into centralized farm management and business intelligence platforms.
Pros
- No Manual Fish Handling Required: All measurements are captured underwater by the Bioscope camera, eliminating stressful manual sampling for fish and reducing labor costs.
- High Measurement Accuracy: Up to 40,000 validated measurements per unit per day ensures statistically reliable biomass and welfare reporting.
- Plug & Play Deployment: The system starts transmitting data immediately upon deployment in the sea pen, with minimal setup or supervision required.
- Comprehensive Multi-Module Platform: Covers weight, lice, welfare, behavior, and feeding in one portal, providing a holistic view for better operational decisions.
Cons
- Primarily Norwegian Market Focus: Website and documentation are primarily in Norwegian, which may present a barrier for non-Scandinavian aquaculture operators.
- Hardware Dependency: The platform requires installation of the physical Bioscope underwater unit, making it a hardware-coupled solution rather than a pure software platform.
- Enterprise Pricing: As a specialized industrial solution for commercial fish farms, pricing is not publicly listed and likely requires a custom quote, which may be prohibitive for smaller operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bioscope and how does it work?
The Bioscope is an underwater camera unit that is lowered into the fish pen at the level of the fish school. It continuously captures tens of thousands of images per day, which are analyzed by OptoScale's AI to extract weight, lice count, welfare, and behavioral data.
Does OptoScale require manual fish handling or sampling?
No. All measurements are performed non-invasively while the fish remain in the water. This reduces stress on the fish, saves labor, and enables continuous rather than periodic data collection.
Which species and farming setups does OptoScale support?
OptoScale supports salmon, rainbow trout, smolt (land-based), and submerged operations, covering both sea-based and land-based aquaculture environments.
Can OptoScale data integrate with existing farm management systems?
Yes. OptoScale provides an API that allows data to be pulled into third-party analytics, ERP, and farm management systems for deeper integration with existing workflows.
How accurate is the lice counting compared to manual counts?
OptoScale's automated lice counting covers more fish per count than manual methods and provides daily updated figures, improving statistical reliability and enabling faster responses to lice outbreaks compared to traditional spot-checks.
