MariFeeder

MariFeeder is automatic, remotely controlled and fully autonomous versatile feeder for aquaculture.

Current challenges in feeding of smaller fish

Current systems for fish feeding in aquaculture are suitable either for hatcheries (indoor, very small fish, very small quantities of feed) or for feeding ongrowing fish with high amounts of feed (fish body mass above 100g, large cages, barge spreaders). This is especially true for offshore cage mariculture, but is also present in other areas of aquaculture. This leaves a gap in automated feeding of fish between 5 and 100 g of body mass where feeding is usually done manually (labor intensive). So far, there has been some attempts of automated feeding but solutions were mostly either very expensive or limited to certain types of fish and breeding techniques.

Here are some of the disadvantages of current feeding systems for smaller fish:

• Manual feeding
  • labor intensive
  • lack of working force
  • tiresome and monotone job
  • high feeding expenses
  • lower feed efficiency – higher FCR
  • slower fish growth
• Barge spreaders
  • not effective for smaller fish (smaller quantities of feed)
  • very expensive
• Mechanical clock feeders
  • suitable only for very small fish
• Pendulum demand feeders
  • suitable only for some fish breeds
  • lower feed efficiency during troubled sea – higher FCR
• Existing “automatic” feeders
  • unsuitable for harsh sea conditions
  • low reliability
  • necessary cabling
  • high price
  • modest programming options
  • non practical parameters setup
  • limited to certain fish breeds

Solution to the problems – MariFeeder

Together with end users, we have developed state-of-the-art automatic fish feeder. One of the main requirements for MariFeeder was reliability and robustness in open sea environment, solar powered autonomous operation (no cables and wires), flexible programming options to accommodate feeding needs for all fish breeds, centralized remote control of big number of feeders from large distances using personal computer, ease of use and simplicity of user interface, low maintenance, possible adoption to existing containers (hoppers) and low cost.

Programming options

MariFeeder is completely enclosed in sturdy polycarbonate casing without any connectors or buttons, making it fully resistant to harsh open sea environment. User doesn’t have any need to touch the feeder, except loading feed into container. All programing is done remotely from personal computer (laptop) using in-house developed long range radio transmitter with corresponding PC software.

Daily feeding schedule for any particular feeder on the farm has 20 entries of which every one has configurable start time of feeding frame, stop time of feeding frame, duration of feed ejection (proportional to the feed amount) and pause between successive feed ejections within each feeding time frame. This approach to feeding schedule is very easy and intuitive to the user and gives almost infinite possibilities for controlling the feed ejection throughout the day. Spreading radius is also configurable for each feeder.

Key benefits

• Less manpower required – the only labor required is to load container with feed
• Lower feeding costs due to the high level of automation
• Time saving
• Higher fish growth – more optimized feeding
• Higher production efficiency
• Fast investment turnover
• Advantages compared to other feeders
  • Satisfies need for feeding all fish breeds – especially cannibal ones that require more often feeding (eg. Dentex Dentex)
  • Significantly shorter time required to change feeding parameters – no need to approach to the feeder. This option saves food waste during sudden weather changes. If fish stops eating for whatever reason, feeding can be suspended (or reprogrammed) in matter of seconds for multiple feeders.
  • Lower feed waste
  • Lower Feed Conversion Ratio
  • Extended number of feeding hours during the day – autonomous feeder works 24/7
  • Faster fish growth
  • Lower need for feeder supervision
  • Lower complete system cost (no hidden costs – controllers, cables, silos, mounts, buoys, power supplies, maintenance, user traninig…)
  • Low maintenance costs
  • High reliability
• Feed consumption tracking
• Designed and manufactured in EU (Croatia) to the highest quality standards
• Guaranteed service and spare parts
• Two year warranty
• Thoroughly tested and proven in Mediterranean
• Possibility to implement various sensors and predetermined feeding based on sensor values, depending on user requests (eg. abortion of feeding in case of clouds and waves, low DO level …)
  • dissolved oxygen
  • waves detection
  • illumination
  • pH
  • temperature
  • turbidity
  • etc.

Elements of the system:

• MariFeeder
• Wireless transmitter
• Floating construction
  • 2 x 60 kg variant
  • 1 x 60 kg variant
  • can be adapted to customers existing gear

Technical specifications:

Daily amount of feed	up to 1000 kg
Remote control and setting	via PC (laptop)
Radio communication range	1000 m
Single feeding duration	1 – 999 seconds
Interval between feedings	1 – 600 minutes
Number of feeding time frames	20
Spreading diameter	up to 5 meters
Programming time	10 seconds
Power supply	solar with internal battery
Feeding autonomy (no sun)	5 days
Resistance to harsh weather (sea)	YES
Possible adoption to existing containers	YES
Weight	4 kg
Dimensions (L x W x H)	28 x 24 x 30 cm