AquaVision: Artificial Intelligence for a New Quality of Aquaculture in Ukraine

Global aquaculture stands on the brink of profound changes. Growing demand for protein products, climate challenges, environmental constraints, and the need for stable production are forcing the industry to seek new, more precise and responsible approaches. One such approach is the implementation of artificial intelligence in aquaculture system management.

At Neusatz Aqua, we believe that the future of aquaculture lies in data, automation, and deep understanding of biological processes. That's why we have begun developing the AquaVision project — a computer vision and behavioral analytics system for shrimp and fish.

Why Behavior is the Key to Effective Aquaculture

In traditional systems, most management decisions are based on indirect indicators: water quality, average growth, feed consumption. However, animal behavior is the most sensitive indicator of their physiological state.

Changes in movement speed, body posture, interactions between individuals, reactions to feed or light often signal:

• Stress or deteriorating conditions
• Onset of diseases
• Spawning readiness
• Aggressive or atypical behavior

AquaVision allows detecting these signals in real-time, without constant staff presence and without subjective assessments.

What is AquaVision

AquaVision is an intelligent platform that combines:

• High-resolution video cameras
• Computer vision algorithms
• Machine learning
• Behavioral pattern analysis
• Correlation with environmental parameters

The system learns to recognize typical and atypical behavior patterns of shrimp and fish, as well as detect events critical for production: stress, activity changes, growth anomalies, or signs of reproduction.

The first research subject is Litopenaeus vannamei (Pacific white shrimp), with subsequent scaling to other species, including tilapia and sea bass.

Why We Are Developing AquaVision in Ukraine

Ukraine today is a country not only of challenges but also of unique opportunities for technological development.

First, Ukrainian aquaculture is at a stage of active formation. This means fewer outdated solutions and more space for implementing modern technologies at a high level from the start.

Second, the war has forced Ukrainian businesses to be maximally efficient, adaptive, and technologically independent. Automation, reducing operational risks, and precise resource management have become matters of survival.

Third, Ukraine has a strong engineering and IT ecosystem capable of creating world-class solutions. The combination of biological expertise with engineering and artificial intelligence opens the path to new export-oriented technologies.

Neusatz Aqua sees its role in integrating Ukraine into the European and global aquaculture technology space, not as a consumer of solutions, but as their developer.

European Dimension and Horizon Europe

The AquaVision project was submitted for funding under the Horizon Europe program, in a special competition aimed at supporting Ukrainian deep-tech startups and innovative companies.

This participation for us is not only an opportunity to obtain funding, but also:

• Integration into the European research ecosystem
• Working according to high standards of transparency and ethics
• Collaboration with partners from EU countries
• Creating technology compatible with European approaches to sustainable development and animal welfare

AquaVision fully aligns with the goals of the European Green Deal, Farm-to-Fork strategy, and Blue Economy development.

Practical Benefits for Producers

Implementing AI-based behavioral analytics provides real advantages:

• Early problem detection instead of reacting to consequences
• Reduced mortality and losses
• Optimization of feeding and energy consumption
• Improved incubation results
• Enhanced animal welfare
• Accumulation of unique data for further optimization

Looking to the Future

AquaVision is just the first step. In the future, we envision development of:

• Digital twins of aquaculture systems
• Prediction of reproductive cycles
• Automated recommendations for farm management
• Integration with breeding and genetic programs

We believe that high-tech aquaculture can and should develop in Ukraine, even in difficult times. Such projects shape the economy of the future — resilient, innovative, and integrated into the global context.