The need for stress monitoring

  • Through extensive market research (desk research, interviews and surveys), Fish Forward identified a major unmet need in stress management in aquaculture.
  • Insights in (chronic) stress levels enable fish farms to take appropriate actions (e.g., decreasing stock density, change feeding, etc.).
  • Aquaculture stress management can result in the following:

Improved feed conversion ratio

Improved meat
quality

Reduced fish
mortality

Reduction in
disease outbreak

  • However, currently the on-farm effective methods to measure cortisol in serum, scales, mucus, gut content, feces and water are still lacking and difficult to interpret.
  • There is a need for accessible and cost-efficient diagnostic approaches to monitor long-term stress in salmonids.

Stress levels in fish

Chronic stress

  • Stocking density, feeding strategy, sorting and transport, as well as environmental conditions are major stressors for fish.
  • Fish faced with stressful stimuli launch an endocrine stress response through activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal (HPI) axis that releases the major stress hormone cortisol.
  • Chronic stress (through cortisol) negatively effects whole body performance (metabolism, growth), reproduction and immune system, resulting in a decline in production yield and fish welfare.

Our solution

Fish Forward solution

Our solutions is a “on-site” diagnostic device, leveraging state-of-the-art biosensing technology to measure cortisol levels in fish.

The technology

A photonics-based biosensor

  • Photonic technology selected based on i) detection limit, ii) ease of use, iii) costs and iv) speed.
  • Biosensor uses photonics a biochemical component is applied to the surface of a waveguide carrying a light signal The binding of cortisol changes the way light travels through the waveguide, altering the light signal in way that can be read out
  • Advanced bio photonic sensor design permits rapid sample analysis (within 5 minutes) at very low concentrations fM ranges)
  • Advanced data analytics to interpret values and make the data actionable.
  • However, currently the on-farm effective methods to measure cortisol in serum, scales, mucus, gut content, feces and water are still lacking and difficult to interpret.
  • There is a need for accessible and cost-efficient diagnostic approaches to monitor long-term stress in salmonids.

Product vision

Partnership with state-of-the-art technology

  • Fish Forward has selected Surfix as the preferred technology partner due to their pioneering photonic based diagnostic platform which is ultrasensitive, fast and affordable and easy to use
  • Fish Forward engaged in an exclusive strategic partnership with Surfix within the aquaculture segment to develop state of the art diagnostics for stress detection
  • Surfix will act as an Original Equipment Manufacturer ( for the reader and biosensors

    • BIOSENSOR CHIP Photonics allow for multiplexing thereby enabling multiple diagnostic biomarkers on a single chip

    • READER The photonic device will be a ( portable device

Fish forward Commercial Model

B2B business model

  • Fish Forward leverages a B2B business model where the photonic device and cartridgebased consumables are sold directly to fishfarms and business partners.
  • Diagnostic biomarkers will be added and the solution will be made available for all the common farmed fish.
  • Showcase for Salmonids, can be followed by Seabass/Seabream, Milkfish, Zebrafish, Carp, Yellow Tail Kingfish, Tarbot and Tilapia.

Applicable (future) sectors

All aquaculture
Zoo life
Ornamental, leisure
Wildlife