Japan Advances Submerged Aquaculture with Automated Underwater Feeding Technology
New Feeding Technology Supports More Efficient Management of Submerged Fish Farming Cages
Japan's marine aquaculture industry is making progress in submerged fish farming technology with the development of an automated underwater feeding system designed to improve feeding operations inside submerged net cages.
Announced in November 2026, the system was developed by Umios and its subsidiary Umios AQUA. It received recognition at the 2026 Kyushu Regional Invention Awards in Japan, highlighting its potential contribution to modern aquaculture operations.
Combining Optical and Acoustic Technologies
One of the main challenges of submerged fish farming is monitoring fish behavior and delivering feed effectively when cages remain below the water surface. Limited underwater visibility, changing water conditions and low-light environments can make conventional observation methods less effective.
The new system addresses these challenges by combining underwater cameras with acoustic sensors. Cameras monitor fish movements from multiple directions, while acoustic equipment helps detect fish distribution and activity when visibility is poor.
The collected information is processed in real time, allowing the system to automatically adjust feed quantities and dispensing speed according to fish activity and distribution.
Supporting Submerged Aquaculture Operations
Submerged cages are increasingly being considered in locations where surface conditions can be challenging. Keeping farming structures underwater can help operators manage exposure to certain surface-level risks, including typhoons, elevated water temperatures and harmful algal blooms.
However, successful submerged farming requires reliable systems for feeding, monitoring and maintaining the cages.
Technologies that improve underwater feeding efficiency can help reduce the need to raise cages for routine feeding operations, making submerged aquaculture management more practical.
The Importance of Reliable Net Cage Systems
As aquaculture operations become more specialized, the performance of net cages remains an essential part of farm infrastructure. Cage nets must be selected according to operating depth, fish species, environmental conditions and the requirements of each farming site.
Alongside advances in feeding and monitoring equipment, durable netting materials and properly designed cage structures continue to play an important role in supporting reliable fish farming operations.
The latest development in Japan demonstrates how underwater equipment and aquaculture infrastructure are evolving together. As submerged farming technologies continue to advance, demand for suitable net cage systems and dependable netting solutions is also expected to remain an important consideration for the industry.