California-based fisheries science group FISHBIO and Simsonar, a Finnish tech company specializing in underwater camera vision, have successfully developed and field-tested the AI-powered AquaSort system in northern Norway as part of a Norwegian government research and development (R&D) competition aimed at addressing the threat of invasive pink salmon. Following strong performance during field testing, the technology is now being refined for broader applications and additional usage in Norway, the United States, and beyond.
In recent years, invasive pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha), originally introduced to northern Russia, have spread rapidly across the North Atlantic, raising concerns about ecosystem impacts, disease transmission, and competition with native species. In Norway, locals want their waters rid of these invaders, however, effective methods of tackling invasive fish were lacking. In response, the Norwegian government created an R&D competition to invent a device to reduce invasive pink salmon. FISHBIO partnered with Simsonar to develop a selective, non-invasive fish sorting platform using a weir (a guidance structure used to direct fish into the system), underwater cameras, and AI. The resulting AquaSort system combines Simsonar’s real-time underwater video monitoring and AI-based species identification with FISHBIO’s fisheries expertise and custom fabrication capabilities.
Installed in the Repparfjord River near Hammerfest, Norway, the system was integrated into an existing resistance board weir originally constructed by FISHBIO in 2022. Using AI-driven species recognition, the platform automatically allows native fish to continue up the river while diverting invasive pink salmon into a trap for later removal. This dramatically reduces the need for manual handling and sorting of fish which saves time and is less stressful on the animals. During the testing portion of the R&D competition, the AquaSort achieved greater than 97 percent trapping efficiency for invasive pink salmon, while reducing handling of native species by 94 percent. With fish transit times as short as ten seconds, the system demonstrated the ability to identify and sort several thousand fish per day, significantly improving efficiency and fish welfare. Internet connection allows real-time monitoring of performance, AI-driven species identification, and reporting to happen remotely.
While the AquaSort was initially going to be removed following the trial period, strong support from the local fishing association led to its continued operation after FISHBIO and Simsonar’s departure, allowing it to continue removing invasive pink salmon beyond the official trial period of the R&D competition, demonstrating that operation and removal could be achieved without specialized training. The AquaSort builds on FISHBIO’s broader use of Simsonar technology for migratory fish monitoring.
As Simsonar’s North American service partner and distributor, FISHBIO currently deploys AI-powered FishCounter systems on California rivers such as the Stanislaus and Tuolumne, where they provide real-time data on Chinook salmon, steelhead trout, and other native fishes. These systems allow fisheries managers to monitor fish passage continuously without trapping or handling, facilitating fast and accurate data-driven management decisions. With successful field results in Norway and ongoing applications in California, FISHBIO is now preparing to distribute the AquaSort in the United States. Potential applications include invasive species management, selective fish passage, and targeted trapping for research and conservation programs.
FISHBIO is a California-based fisheries and environmental consulting company with offices in Oakdale and Chico. FISHBIO is dedicated to advancing the research, monitoring, and conservation of fishes around the world.
