The transportation of fish seed (fingerlings) from hatcheries to farms or other aquatic environment is a critical aspect of aquaculture operations. Ensuring the health and safety of fingerlings during transportation is essential for the success of aquaculture enterprises. The automated fingerling carrier presents the design of a novel fingerling transportation system utilizing a portable and durable transparent bucket equipped with a 12 volts water pump, carbon dioxide sensor and batteries for power source to both the sensor and the Arduino board. The system aims to maintain optimal environmental conditions within the carrier, thereby enhancing the survival rate and overall fish health of transported fingerlings. The carrier involves, water circulation mechanisms for the purpose of dissolving oxygen in the water, to create an efficient and reliable transportation system for fingerlings.
As a landlocked nation located in Southern Africa, Zambia possesses abundant natural resources conducive to fish farming. Nonetheless, the aquaculture industry is still in its early stages despite its significant potential, as the majority of Zambia’s fish supply currently relies on capture fisheries (Zhang et al., 2023). Around the globe, live fish are highly sought-after commodities, with China standing out as a significant market where stringent quality standards match consumer preferences. In Kenya, discussions revolving around live fish, particularly in regions abundant in aquaculture, take centre stage. Nevertheless, the absence of a structured method for transporting live fish presents obstacles for stakeholders (Syanya et al.,2024). As wild fish catches dwindle and the global human population continues to grow, aquaculture is anticipated to become crucial in sustaining livelihoods by providing income, employment, and essential food resources. Nonetheless, the advancement of sustainable aquaculture may face obstacles due to inadequate stress and welfare management of farmed animals, particularly in hatcheries where brood stock and fingerlings are subjected to various stressful conditions (Mphande et al.,2023), Elevated stress levels among fish can lead to increased mortality rates, consequently diminishing the overall success of an aquaculture operation (Mbewe et al.,2024) Transporting fingerlings of commercially viable species is a frequent requirement in aquaculture. Sometimes, mature breeding fish also need transportation to aid in seed production, Fish transportation technology has evolved significantly over time, moving from the use of basic earthen pots to more advanced methods such as transporting fish in polyethylene bags with highpressure oxygen, and employing anaesthetics and chemicals as necessary (Delince et al.,1987). The changing global environment is increasingly threatening life forms because countries are focused on development without caring about the environmental damage caused by pollution and degradation of agricultural lands. More factories are being built, using harmful chemicals, and people are using plastic bags, which harm the environment (Jalil et al., 2011). Fingerlings transportation plays a crucial role in the aquaculture industry, as it facilitates the transfer of juvenile fish from hatcheries to grow-out facilities or natural environments. During transportation, fingerlings are susceptible to stress, oxygen depletion, and accumulation of metabolic wastes, which can adversely affect their survival and growth. To address these challenges, innovative transportation systems equipped with monitoring and control mechanisms are being developed. This research focuses on the design and implementation of a fingerlings transportation system that utilizes advanced technology to maintain optimal environmental conditions within the transport container.