A recent report highlights that over 3 billion people worldwide rely on seafood for their protein needs, with aquaculture production reaching record levels. This surge underscores a growing demand for aquatic foods globally, prompting startups like Wittaya Aqua to harness AI technology to enhance sustainability and productivity in the industry.
Based in Canada, Wittaya Aqua has secured $2.8 million in seed funding to advance its data-driven platform designed for seafood farmers. The platform integrates diverse data points across the seafood supply chain, optimizing profitability and efficiency. Following its successful entry into Singapore in 2023, Wittaya Aqua plans to expand further into Asia, leveraging AI to meet the region's substantial aquaculture demands.
CEO Evan Hall emphasized the pivotal role of Asia, the leading aquaculture producer globally, in their expansion strategy. "Southeast Asia, a key production hub, presents immense growth potential through data-driven practices," Hall stated. Wittaya Aqua's platform employs AI and machine learning to predict animal growth, recommend optimal feed strategies, and enhance decision-making based on real-time data insights.
Founded in 2017 by Hall, a wildlife conservation photographer, and Dominique Bureau, an aquaculture professor, Wittaya Aqua aims to overcome industry inefficiencies caused by fragmented data. By centralizing data from farmers, feed mills, and suppliers, the startup fosters transparency and empowers stakeholders with actionable insights.
"The unified view enables us to build robust, science-based models that drive informed decisions," Hall explained. This approach allows farmers to optimize feed choices and performance benchmarking, while also supporting feed mills in refining strategies tailored to customer needs.
Wittaya Aqua distinguishes itself by integrating nutritional insights with field performance analysis across multiple species and geographies. Unlike competitors focusing on single species and regions, Wittaya Aqua's broad scope includes mainstream commercial species like salmon and shrimp, as well as niche varieties such as grouper and snapper.
Looking ahead, Wittaya Aqua plans to mitigate production risks for farmers by providing comprehensive data insights, potentially partnering with financial institutions to offer tailored financial products. With the global aquaculture market projected to exceed $355 billion by 2033, Wittaya Aqua is poised to drive innovation and sustainability in seafood production worldwide.
