Catfish farmers often face difficulties during the manual sorting process at harvest time. The process not only takes a long time but also carries a higher risk of human error, especially when the number of fish is abundant.
A team of students from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) participating in the Student Creativity Program for Science and Technology Application (PKM-PI) developed the Smart Fish Sorter (SFS), an automatic, sensor-based device for sorting catfish.
The Smart Fish Sorter is designed as a practical solution to help catfish farmers streamline the sorting process during harvest and obtain accurate sorting results.
This program serves as a platform for students to collaborate in addressing real-world problems faced by their community partners.
The SFS team consists of Clarissa Cindy Marta Devany, Raisa Nayyara Sabita, and Aulia Syifa Hasanah from the Aquaculture Study Program; Abram Adityaswara from the Heavy Equipment Management and Maintenance Engineering Study Program; and Tazakka Arifin Nutriatma from the Electronics and Instrumentation Study Program.
The PKM-PI team is supervised by Dr. Ega Adhi Wicaksono, a lecturer in the Department of Fisheries at the Faculty of Agriculture.
“The Smart Fish Sorter offers a breath of fresh air for catfish farmers as it helps them achieve uniform sorting results according to fish weight without requiring much manual effort,” said Raisa Nayyara Sabita, an aquaculture student from the Faculty of Agriculture, in a release on Monday (Oct. 20).
PKM-PI team leader Clarissa Cindy Marta Devany added that the device was developed in response to the challenges faced by farmers who still rely on manual and often inaccurate sorting methods.
To address this issue, the Smart Fish Sorter is equipped with a load cell to measure fish weight and an ultrasonic sensor to automatically count the number of catfish.
The tool operates by allowing catfish from the primary hopper to fall onto a weighing plate equipped with a load cell. The fish are then pushed by a swivel arm and caught by another swivel arm based on their weight category.
The sorted catfish fall through a secondary hopper, where the ultrasonic sensor automatically records their number.
“We designed the device with six catcher swivel arms to accommodate a wider range of weight categories based on the needs of partner farmers,” explained Abram Adityaswara, another team member.
In addition to its accuracy, the Smart Fish Sorter is also environmentally friendly. Tazakka Arifin Nutriatma explained that the device uses a hybrid energy system.
A solar panel serves as the primary power source, allowing farmers to operate the tool using solar energy.
“In addition, the SFS is equipped with a conventional backup power source from the national grid, enabling the tool to be used anytime and anywhere,” Nutriatma said.
The Smart Fish Sorter is designed to help catfish farmers sort fish more efficiently and accurately, thereby enhancing productivity and profitability.
“We hope this tool can serve as a practical solution that positively impacts farmers’ productivity and contributes to sustainable and independent aquaculture businesses,” said Aulia Syifa Hasanah.
Author: Leony
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Salma
Photographs: Smart Fish Sorter Team and Pixabay