TidalX AI expands partnership with Mowi Genetics

GLOBAL – TidalX AI, an independent aquaculture technology company, has expanded its strategic collaboration with Mowi Genetics AS, the breeding and genetics division of Mowi ASA, deepening the use of artificial intelligence in salmon breeding as the broader Nordic aquaculture sector continues to consolidate through acquisitions and capacity expansion.

TidalX AI, which develops underwater perception and AI systems, said the next phase of the partnership will move beyond farm-level monitoring into genetic selection, enabling more precise individual fish phenotyping without physical tagging.

Mowi Genetics AS, the genetics and breeding arm of Mowi, will deploy Tidal’s proprietary fish identification technology to strengthen its breeding programme and improve selection accuracy for future broodstock.

The companies said the technology builds on existing deployments across Mowi’s commercial farming operations, where Tidal systems are already used for automated sea-lice counting, biomass estimation, feeding optimisation, and fish welfare monitoring.

The new phase will focus on continuously tracking individual fish performance under real farming conditions, capturing traits such as growth rate, disease resistance, and welfare indicators.

“This is a natural evolution to now bring that capability into our genetics program,” said Matt Baranski of Mowi Genetics AS. 

“Shifting from pen-level monitoring to understanding individual fish could significantly improve selection decisions, enabling the next generation to be chosen using continuous, real-world performance data.”

He added that higher-resolution data from AI systems would enhance phenotyping accuracy and improve long-term breeding outcomes.

TidalX AI Chief Product Officer Rochak Sharma said the integration of AI into genetics represents a major step forward for aquaculture efficiency.

“Our vision extends far beyond basic farm monitoring to optimise the entire value chain,” Sharma said. 

“This AI technology will not only provide more precise biomass estimates but also allow for limiting individual exposure during in-pen lice treatments. Bringing the same AI into genetics can create significant gains for breeding programs.”

He added that linking farm-level performance directly to biological design could accelerate gains in both productivity and sustainability in salmon farming.

Nordic aquaculture sees broader consolidation

The announcement comes amid wider restructuring in Norway’s aquaculture industry, including new asset transfers and capacity expansions across species.

In a separate development, Norwegian cod farming company Ode has acquired Mowi’s facility in Vanylven, Norway, as part of its strategy to expand cod production capacity and strengthen its integrated value chain.

Mowi confirmed it will continue operating the facility through the summer with its existing stock of ballan wrasse before transferring operations to Ode, along with selected employees, for conversion into cod juvenile and broodstock production.

“Ode is a strong player in cod farming and will further develop the facility in a responsible and sustainable manner,” said Mowi Norway Regional Director Asgeir Hasund.

Ode CEO Ola Kvalheim said the acquisition strengthens the company’s production network and supports expansion plans.

“The company has a strong need for increased onshore capacity, and Sighaug fits perfectly into our portfolio with its skilled and experienced employees, proximity to several of Ode’s farming sites, and opportunities for further development and investment,” he said.

He added that Ode is already initiating regulatory applications to convert the facility to cod production, with the aim of ensuring uninterrupted operations.

Ode also highlighted its broader expansion strategy through Lumarine, Norway’s largest juvenile cod producer, targeting production increases to 5,000 tonnes of juvenile cod by 2027 to support the potential output of around 100,000 tonnes of market-size cod within five years.

The company said the integration of facilities and AI-driven breeding tools reflects a broader shift in Nordic aquaculture toward data-driven genetics, vertical integration and scalable production systems aimed at improving efficiency and biological performance across species.

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