Bangkok-headquartered Thai Union has begun piloting the use of satellite imaging (also known as earth observation or remote sensing) for shrimp farming operations in collaboration with Sea Warden, a satellite data analytics company, and Wholechain, a supply chain traceability specialist.
The main goal of the project is to generate key data elements (KDEs) for shrimp farms that are automated, independently verifiable and cost effective. Integrated with traceability technology, the KDEs collected through satellite imaging have the potential to support sustainable farming practices through insights into shrimp populations, farm health, contamination and more.
Satellites have imaged the planet for more than 50 years to the benefit of many industries including agriculture, forestry and wild capture fisheries – but it is still an emerging technology within the aquaculture sector. In recent years, certain KDEs have been promoted widely by sustainability and traceability advocates within the seafood industry to address the lack of data available to importers, retailers and consumers in order to make more responsible purchasing decisions.
Port of Los Angeles-based Sea Warden and Bloomfield, Michigan, USA-headquartered Wholechain have worked closely on creating a list of KDEs that cross-reference those attainable through satellite observation with those required by the Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability (GDST), Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP), and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), as well as additional KDEs that represent opportunities for substantiating environmental, social and governance targets for seafood industry stakeholders.
“Accessing reliable information for shrimp farms across wide geographies can be both challenging and expensive. We see exciting potential in the use of satellite imaging to improve our transparency, assess risk and monitor the performance of our shrimp farms,” said Adam Brennan, Thai Union’s group director of sustainability. “We will continue to explore ways to use satellite technology as it continues to evolve.”
During the pilot project, Sea Warden applied machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to generate KDEs based on 24 months of historic production activity at multiple shrimp farms within Thai Union’s network. In a demonstration of the integrated capabilities, Wholechain transferred the KDEs through Thai Union’s supply chain along with the insights report from Sea Warden.
“Satellite-derived KDE’s are a simple and independent way for retailers, certifiers, and processors to provide greater farm-level transparency,” said Zack Dinh, Sea Warden co-founder. “Satellite data maximizes investments into traceability systems like Wholechain’s blockchain technology to more effectively reduce risk and increase confidence across the supply chain.”
Thai Union believes satellite-derived aquaculture insights is a promising way to reduce risk, and reach sustainability targets. The seafood company views satellite technology as a route to improving access and efficiency for sharing farm-level data with certification bodies, retailers and consumers. Multiple supermarket chains are already making plans to utilize these capabilities in their procurement process and also communications with consumers.
