Supporting Sustainable Aquaculture with Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring - Aquamonitrix® - Nitrate and Nitrite Analyser
Supporting Sustainable Aquaculture with Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring
User Story

1. Backstory

Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) have become central to the future of sustainable fish farming. As the global demand for seafood grows, RAS offers a controlled and efficient method of production with reduced environmental impact. However, producers face ongoing challenges related to fish health, mortality, disease management, and compliance with environmental regulations. Issues such as parasites, taxes on biomass, and the need for continuous growth in production have placed added pressure on the industry to operate more efficiently and sustainably.

2. Challenge

Water quality management is critical in RAS operations, particularly the performance of the biofilter, which is responsible for maintaining safe nitrogen levels. Facilities must also comply with strict effluent licence conditions while dealing with limited water availability. Traditional sampling methods are often manual, time-consuming and lack the frequency required for timely interventions. Operators face additional hurdles such as the complexity of working in both saline and freshwater environments, and challenges in recruiting skilled personnel to manage and interpret data effectively.

3. Solution

Aquamonitrix® provides online, real-time analysis of nitrite and nitrate. The analyser is designed to function accurately in both freshwater and saline conditions, making it ideal for diverse aquaculture settings. Its low maintenance requirements and compact footprint allow for continuous monitoring without adding significant operational overhead. With high accuracy and reliable data delivery, operators can manage biofilters more effectively, reduce reliance on manual sampling and respond rapidly to changes in water quality.

4. Evidence

Aquamonitrix® technology is being used by key players in the aquaculture industry including Nofima, Kingfish Netherlands, MOWI, BIM, Cooke Aqua, and the Marine Institute. These organisations are leveraging real-time monitoring to optimise water quality management, enhance fish welfare, and support regulatory compliance. The analyser has enabled more precise control over biofiltration processes, contributing to reduced mortality rates and improved operational efficiency across a range of aquaculture facilities.

For example, Kingfish Zeeland reported that after months of unsuccessfully searching for a reliable method to measure nitrate in saltwater, “when we discovered the Aquamonitrix device, we had a positive experience. We conducted dilution tests, spike recovery tests, and standard tests, and surprisingly, Aquamonitrix was quite precise.” This precision has proven invaluable for saltwater applications where conventional methods have fallen short.
Cooke Aqua (Canada) also praised the reliability of the data, stating, “We already know that the quality of the results are reliable based on results we received from an accredited laboratory and [are] confident in the data the analyser provides.” They further highlighted plans to analyse operational patterns using the data, such as the impact of adjusting feed rates or water flows—demonstrating how Aquamonitrix supports continuous process improvement.
The Marine Institute underscored the value of high-resolution data, noting that “Aquamonitrix® provides the volume of nitrate & nitrite data required to fully investigate, understand and optimise the nitrogen cycle in closed-loop aquatic systems.” This capability is critical for managing recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), where tight nitrogen control is essential.