Published Article

ABSTRACT

Aquaculture has undergone a rapid transition from traditional, labour intensive practices to more intensive and intelligent production systems, driven by the need to meet rising global demand for aquatic food in a sustainable manner. This transformation has been supported by advances in automation and digital technologies, which aim to address persistent challenges in aquaculture such as inefficient resource use, high labour costs, environmental degradation, and increasing disease risks. As aquaculture systems become more complex, conventional management approaches are often inadequate to ensure optimal performance and sustainability. Recent developments in automation and smart technologies, including the Internet of Things, big data analytics, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and blockchain, have enabled real time monitoring, data driven decision making, and automated control of aquaculture operations. Artificial intelligence, in particular, has emerged as a core component of smart aquaculture systems by providing predictive and inferential capabilities that support efficient process control and adaptive management. Current AI applications in aquaculture include biomass estimation, size and weight measurement, species identification and classification, feeding optimisation, disease detection, stock counting, and continuous water quality monitoring. These applications have demonstrated potential benefits such as improved production efficiency, reduced energy and water losses, lower labour requirements, enhanced animal welfare, and better operational transparency. The objective of this study is to review the role of automation and artificial intelligence in modern aquaculture systems. Specifically, the study aims to examine key digital technologies driving smart aquaculture, highlight major application areas of artificial intelligence and machine learning, and assess their contributions to productivity, sustainability, and management efficiency. By synthesising recent research and practical developments, this review provides a comprehensive overview of how intelligent technologies are reshaping aquaculture and outlines future prospects for their wider adoption.