Systems and methods for treating parasitic infection on aquatic lifeforms

Abstract

A system (100) and method utilize a guiding channel (152) to guide fish from a pre-treatment aquaculture area (122) toward the surface of the body of water defining an upper boundary of a post-treatment aquaculture area (124). The guiding channel defines a treatment zone (160), and the treatment zone treats sea lice from all surfaces of the fish as the fish travels from the guiding channel inlet to the guiding channel outlet; a proximity sensor (163) for detecting presence of fish and triggering a control unit (140) to activate a first energy source (161) and a second energy source (162) to emit an energy directed to a respective surface of an aquatic lifeform.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATING PARASITIC INFECTION ON AQUATICLIFEFORMSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 653,465, filed May 30, 2024, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to systems for treating parasitic infection on aquatic lifeforms such as fish. The present disclosure relates to methods of treating parasitic infection on aquatic lifeforms such as fish.INTRODUCTION

[0003] Aquaculture of various fish species provides a food source for a growing world population. In 2021, it was estimated that about 175 million metric tons of fish were produced for global consumption. An increase in demand for fish by consumers has resulted in an increase in the number of aquaculture farms around the world. With an increase in aquaculture farms comes an increased need for sustainable technologies for safe and effective pest control in farmed fish populations.

[0004] A common problem for salmon farmers is sea lice (for example, Lepeophtheirus salmonis and Caligus species). Sea lice are small ectoparasites that embed into the bodies of salmon and feed on the mucus, epidermal tissue, and blood of the salmon. Sea lice are known to cause a reduction in fish growth as well as a loss in appetite, factors which reduce farmer profits as well reducing the quality of food and standard of animal welfare. Sea lice can spread disease amongst a farm population. Sea lice can also spread disease outwards to wild populations of fish when farms are situated offshore or on rivers.

[0005] Sea lice treatment regimens are largely performed on all the fish in a net cage, which means that up to 20000 fish get the same treatment. The treatment may be medication, use of chemicals, mechanical treatment, or slaughtering. The present treatment methods often involve starving fish, fish concentrating operations, as well as pumping fish into a different net cage or into a fish-tank ship. A fish concentrating operation includes making the available swimming volume for the fish smaller and transferring the fish using suction hoses or landing nets.

[0006] These treatments stress the fish, may inflict damage, and possible loss of fish mucous layer. The fish mucous layer (mucosa epithelia) is important to the fish resistance against sea lice and other parasites and pathogens and loss of this fish mucous layer makes the fish even more susceptible to infection than they are after suffering from wounds.

[0007] Improved sea lice management in salmon aquaculture is desired.SUMMARY

[0008] The present disclosure relates to systems for treating parasitic infection on aquatic lifeforms such as fish, and particularly salmon. The present disclosure relates to methods of treating parasitic infection on aquatic lifeforms such as fish, and particularly salmon. The systems and methods described herein minimize stress on the fish while improving sea lice treatment efficacy.

[0009] The system and method described herein utilizes a guiding channel that guides the fish from a pre-treatment aquaculture area toward the surface of the body of water defining an upper boundary of a post-treatment aquaculture area. The guiding channel identifies and removes sea lice from all surfaces of the fish as the fish travels from the guiding channel inlet to the guiding channel outlet.

[0010] The guiding channel extends toward the surface of the body of water. The fish swim from the guiding channel inlet to the guiding channel outlet without outside intervention based on the fish’s instinct to reach the surface of the body of water and refill the fish swim bladder. Harnessing this instinctual behavior of the fish to reach the surface of the body of water allow the fish to be treated for sea lice along the guiding channel with reduced stress on the fish.

[0011] In some embodiments, a system for treating a parasitic infection on an aquatic lifeform comprises an aquaculture enclosure submerged below a surface of a body of water. The aquaculture enclosure defines a pre-treatment aquaculture area and a post-treatment aquaculture area, the surface of the body of water forms an upper boundary of the post-treatment aquaculture area. The post-treatment aquaculture area separates the pre-treatment aquaculture area from the surface of the body of water. A blocking element separates the pre-treatment aquaculture area and a post-treatment aquaculture area. A control unit comprises at least a processor and a memory. A guiding apparatus connects the pre-treatment aquaculture area with the post-treatment aquaculture area. The guiding apparatus extends through the blocking element. The guiding apparatus comprises a guiding channel configured to guide the aquatic lifeform from the pre-treatment aquaculture area to the post-treatment aquaculture area. A treatment zone is defined within theguiding channel. The treatment zone comprises a first energy source and a second energy source. Each energy source is disposed along opposing surfaces of the treatment zone and each energy source is communicably coupled to the control unit. A proximity sensor is disposed within the treatment zone and communicably coupled to the control unit. The proximity sensor is configured to sense aquatic lifeforms within a range of the proximity sensor, such that when aquatic lifeforms enter the guiding channel, in response to the proximity sensor sensing the aquatic lifeform, the proximity sensor transmits an indication signal to the processor, and in response to receiving the indication signal from the proximity sensor, the processor transmits an activation signal to the first energy source and the second energy source. In response to receiving the activation signal, the first energy source emits an energy directed to a first surface of the aquatic lifeform and the second energy source emits an energy directed to a second surface of the aquatic lifeform.

[0012] The system may further include an imaging device disposed upstream or downstream of the treatment zone. The imaging device is configured to capture images of the aquatic lifeform and transmit image data based on the images to the processor. The processor processes the image data from each imaging device to detect a presence of a parasitic infection on the aquatic lifeform, and in response to detecting the presence of the parasitic infection, calculate a percentage of surface area on the aquatic lifeform affected by the parasitic infection, wherein, if the percentage is below a threshold value, enable the aquatic lifeform to exit the guiding channel.

[0013] The guiding channel may extend along a longitudinal axis from a guiding channel inlet to a guiding channel outlet toward the surface of the body of water. The longitudinal axis may be orthogonal to the surface of the body of water.

[0014] The guiding apparatus may include more than two energy sources. The guiding apparatus may include a third energy source. The guiding apparatus may include a fourth energy source. The guiding apparatus may include a fifth energy source. The guiding apparatus may include a sixth energy source. The energy sources may be equally spaced along the inner surface of the guiding channel to image and treat all surfaces of the fish simultaneously at the same time.

[0015] The energy sources may be independently selected from a group consisting of ultraviolet light source, infrared light source, low frequency sound source, ultrasound source, or an electric field source.

[0016] The treatment zone may further include a plurality of waterjets disposed downstream of the energy sources. The plurality of waterjets is configured to remove or loosen parasites from the aquatic lifeform. The treatment zone may further include a plurality of aeration ports downstreamfrom the energy sources. The plurality of aeration ports is configured to aerate the aquatic lifeform exiting the treatment zone.

[0017] In some embodiments, a method for treating a parasitic infection on an aquatic lifeform, comprises guiding an aquatic lifeform disposed within a pre-treatment aquaculture area, without access to a surface of a body of water, via a guiding apparatus comprising a guiding channel extending toward the surface of the body of water, through the guiding channel to a post-treatment aquaculture area having the surface of a body of water forming a boundary of the post-treatment aquaculture area. The method includes sensing, via a proximity sensor disposed along the treatment zone, the aquatic lifeform within a range of the proximity sensor, and then transmitting an indication signal to a control unit comprising a processor and a memory. The method includes processing, via the processor, the indication signal, and transmitting an activation signal, via the control unit and in response to the indication signal, to a first energy source and a second energy source disposed within the treatment zone, wherein the first energy source is disposed on a first surface of the treatment zone and the second energy source is disposed on a second surface of the treatment zone. Then emitting a first energy, via the first energy source, to a first surface area on the aquatic lifeform in the treatment zone, and emitting a second energy, via the second energy source, to a second surface area on the aquatic lifeform in the treatment zone.

[0018] The method may include capturing images of the aquatic lifeform upstream or downstream from the treatment zone and transmitting image data based on the images to a control unit comprising a processor and a memory. Then processing, via the processor, image data to detect a presence of a parasitic infection. In response to detecting the presence of the parasitic infection, the method includes calculating a percentage of surface area on the aquatic lifeform affected by the parasitic infection. If the percentage is below a threshold value, then enable the aquatic lifeform to exit the guiding channel.

[0019] Guiding an aquatic lifeform may comprise guiding an aquatic lifeform along a length of the guiding channel toward the surface of the body of water. The guiding the aquatic lifeform may comprises guiding an aquatic lifeform along a longitudinal axis of the guiding channel from an inlet of the guiding channel to an outlet of the guiding channel toward the surface of the body of water.

[0020] The method may include classifying, via a classification circuit, an aquatic lifeform based on captured image data. The method may include classifying, via a classification circuit, a parasitic infection based on captured image data.

[0021] According to some examples, the processor uses machine learning to analyze and automate actions. For example, an artificial intelligence (Al) model may be used to enable detection and predict information about one or both of a detected aquatic lifeform and potential parasitic infections. This information may include one or more of aquatic lifeform classification information, parasitic infection classification information, likely locations for parasitic infections on the aquatic lifeform, ambient temperature associated with parasitic infections, time of year for likely parasitic infections, among others. As used herein, an “Al model” is a mathematical algorithm implemented in a programming language that recognizes patterns from data and / or performs a task, either automatically or by learning from data in a supervised, unsupervised, semisupervised, or self-supervised fashion. The types of Al models may include generative models and predictive models, for example. An Al model is used herein synonymously with a machine learning or deep learning model and may comprise an artificial neural network.

[0022] As used herein, “deep learning” is a sub-field of machine learning that does not require expert feature engineering, but rather learns data features automatically from large quantities of data. Deep learning algorithms or models may comprise an artificial neural network having multiple hidden layers and many (for example, thousands, millions, or billions) of learnable parameters. Example deep learning algorithms include convolutional neural networks, generative adversarial networks, recurrent neural networks, transformers, autoencoders, and deep reinforcement learning models.

[0023] The Al model may be trained using one or both of past aquatic lifeform data and parasitic infection data. The past aquatic lifeform data may include aquatic lifeform classification data such as types of aquatic lifeforms, for example. The past infection data may include locations for infections, probability of infections, type of infections, infection classification, weather or climate associated with infections, and ambient temperatures associated with infections. The Al model may be trained with one or both of aquatic lifeform data and infection data from one particular area. In some examples, the Al model is trained using data from other locations or other similar locations.

[0024] The processor may further include at least one neural network classifying an aquatic lifeform. The processor may further include at least one neural network detecting and classifying the parasitic infection.

[0025] The emitting step may include at least one of the energy sources emitting ultraviolet light, or at least one of the energy sources emitting infrared light, or at least one of the energy sources emitting a low frequency sound having a frequency of less than 1000 Hertz, or the energy sourcesemitting ultrasound source having a frequency greater than 20000 Hertz. The at least one of the energy sources may include two or more electrodes forming an electric field within the treatment zone.

[0026] The treatment zone may further include a plurality of waterjets disposed downstream of the first energy source and the second energy source, wherein the plurality of waterjets loosens or removes parasites from the aquatic lifeform. The treatment zone may further include a plurality of aeration ports disposed downstream of the first energy source and the second energy source. The plurality of aeration ports aerates aquatic lifeforms exiting the treatment zone. The system may further include a cleaning zone downstream of the treatment zone. The cleaning zone comprises a plurality of cleaner fish removing parasites from the aquatic lifeform.

[0027] The details of one or more aspects of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the techniques described in this disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate several aspects of the invention and together with a description of the embodiments serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:

[0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative system for treating a parasitic infection on an aquatic lifeform.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of an illustrative guiding apparatus.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an illustrative method for treating a parasitic infection on an aquatic lifeform.

[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a system and apparatus configured to perform the methods described herein.

[0033]

[0034] It should be understood that numerous other modifications and examples can be devised by those skilled in the art, which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of this disclosure.DEFINITIONS

[0035] All scientific and technical terms used herein have meanings commonly used in the art unless otherwise specified. The definitions provided herein are to facilitate understanding of certain terms used frequently herein and are not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0036] All values are presumed to be modified by the term “about”. The term “about” is used here in conjunction with numeric values to include normal variations in measurements as expected by persons skilled in the art and is understood to have the same meaning as “approximately” and to cover a typical margin of error, such as ±5 % of the stated value.

[0037] Terms such as “a,” “an,” and “the” are not intended to refer to only a singular entity but include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration.

[0038] The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are used interchangeably with the term “at least one.” The phrases “at least one of’ and “comprises at least one of’ followed by a list refers to any one of the items in the list and any combination of two or more items in the list.

[0039] As used here, the term “or” is generally employed in its usual sense including “and / or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The term “and / or” means one or all of the listed elements or a combination of any two or more of the listed elements.

[0040] Any direction referred to here, such as “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” and other directions and orientations are described herein for clarity in reference to the figures and are not to be limiting of an actual system or use of the system.

[0041] The terms “upstream” and downstream” refer to locations along the guiding channel from an upstream guiding channel inlet to a downstream guiding channel outlet as the aquatic lifeform moved from the pre-treatment aquaculture area to the post-treatment aquaculture area.

[0042] Values expressed in a range format should be interpreted in a flexible manner to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range were explicitly recited. For example, a range from “25 cm to 125 cm” should be interpreted to include not just the endpoints 25 cm and 125 cm, but also the individual values (for example, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30... 123, 124 cm) and the sub-ranges (For example, 40 cm to 100 cm, 50 cm to 120 cm) within the indicated range.

[0043] As used here, “have,” “having,” “include,” “including,” “comprise,” “comprising,” or the like are used in their open-ended sense, and generally mean “including, but not limited to.” It will be understood that “consisting essentially of,” “consisting of,” and the like are subsumed in “comprising” and the like. As used herein, “consisting essentially of,” as it relates to a system, device, method, or the like, means that the components of the system, device, method, or the likeare limited to the enumerated components or steps and any other components that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the system, device, method, or the like.

[0044] The words “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, including the claims.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The aspects of the present disclosure described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, a purpose of the aspects chosen and described is so that the appreciation and understanding by others skilled in the art of the principles and practices of the present invention can be facilitated.

[0046] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative system 100 for treating a parasitic infection on an aquatic lifeform 10. FIG. l is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of an illustrative guiding apparatus.

[0047] The present disclosure relates to systems for treating parasitic infection on aquatic lifeforms such as fish, and particularly salmon. The present disclosure relates to methods of treating parasitic infection on aquatic lifeforms such as fish, and particularly salmon. The systems and methods described herein minimize stress on the fish while improving sea lice treatment efficacy.

[0048] The system and method described herein utilizes a guiding channel 152 that guides the fish 10 from a pre-treatment aquaculture area 122 toward the surface 106 of the body of water 105 defining an upper boundary of a post-treatment aquaculture area 124. The guiding channel 152 is configured to remove sea lice from all surfaces of the fish as the fish travels from the guiding channel inlet 151 to the guiding channel outlet 153. The treated fish 11 can reach the surface 106 of the body of water 105 to refill the swim bladder.

[0049] The guiding channel 152 extends toward the surface 106 of the body of water 105. The fish swim from the guiding channel inlet 151 to the guiding channel outlet 153 without outside intervention based on the fish’s instinct to reach the surface 106 of the body of water 105 and refill the fish swim bladder. Harnessing this instinctual behavior of the fish to reach the surface 106 of the body of water 105 at regular time intervals allow the fish to be treated for sea lice along the guiding channel 152 with reduced stress on the fish.

[0050] An aquaculture enclosure 120 may be defined by a net or netting that prevents fish, such as salmon from exiting the aquaculture enclosure 120. The aquaculture enclosure 120 may be disposed in a large body of water 105. The aquaculture enclosure 120 may be submerged below the surface 106 of the body of water 105. The aquaculture enclosure 120 may define two or more areas that are separated from each other with net or netting to prevent fish, such as salmon, from moving between the separate areas. The aquaculture enclosure 120 may define a first area or pretreatment area 122 and a second area or post-treatment area 124.

[0051] A system 100 for treating a parasitic infection on an aquatic lifeform, comprises a submerged aquaculture enclosure 120 below a surface 106 of a body of water 105. The aquaculture enclosure 120 defines a pre-treatment aquaculture area 122 and a post-treatment aquaculture area 124. The surface 106 of the body of water 105 forms an upper boundary of the post-treatment aquaculture area 124. The post-treatment aquaculture area 124 separates the pre-treatment aquaculture area 122 from the surface 106 of the body of water 105.

[0052] A blocking element 130 separates the pre-treatment aquaculture area 122 and a posttreatment aquaculture area 124. A control unit 140 comprises at least a processor and a memory.

[0053] A guiding apparatus 150 connects the pre-treatment aquaculture area 122 with the posttreatment aquaculture area 124. The guiding apparatus 150 extends through the blocking element 130. The guiding apparatus 150 comprises a guiding channel 152 configured to guide the aquatic lifeform or fish 10 from the pre-treatment aquaculture area 122 to the post-treatment aquaculture area 124

[0054] The blocking element 130 may include a return element to allow the treated aquatic lifeform to return to the pre-treatment aquaculture area 122 from the post-treatment aquaculture area 124. The treated aquatic lifeform may return to the pre-treatment aquaculture area 122 or another designated area on its own initiative. Alternatively, the treated aquatic lifeform may be transported to the pre-treatment aquaculture area 122 or another designated area from the posttreatment aquaculture area 124.

[0055] A treatment zone 160 is defined within the guiding channel 152. The treatment zone 160 includes a first energy source 161 and a second energy source 162. Each energy source 161 / 162 is disposed along opposing inner surfaces of the guiding channel 152 defining the treatment zone 160 and each energy source 161 / 162 is communicably coupled to the control unit 140.

[0056] A proximity sensor 163 may be disposed within the treatment zone 160 and communicably coupled to the control unit 140. The proximity sensor 163 is configured to sense aquatic lifeforms within a range of the proximity sensor 163, such that when aquatic lifeforms enter the guidingchannel 152, in response to the proximity sensor 163 sensing the aquatic lifeform, the proximity sensor 163 transmits an indication signal to the processor, and in response to receiving the indication signal from the proximity sensor 163, the processor transmits an activation signal to the first energy source 161 and the second energy source 162. In response to receiving the activation signal, the first energy source 161 emits an energy directed to a first surface of the aquatic lifeform and the second energy source 162 emits an energy directed to a second surface of the aquatic lifeform.

[0057] The system 100 may further include an imaging device 170 disposed upstream or downstream of the treatment zone 160. The imaging device 170 is configured to capture images of the aquatic lifeform and transmit image data based on the images to the processor. The processor processes the image data from each imaging device to detect a presence of a parasitic infection on the aquatic lifeform, and in response to detecting the presence of the parasitic infection, calculate a percentage of surface area on the aquatic lifeform affected by the parasitic infection, wherein, if the percentage is below a threshold value, enable the aquatic lifeform to exit the guiding channel.

[0058] This calculated threshold value may be no greater then 1% of the surface area on the aquatic lifeform affected by the parasitic infection. This calculated threshold value may be no greater then 0.5% of the surface area on the aquatic lifeform affected by the parasitic infection. This calculated threshold value may be no greater then 0.1% of the surface area on the aquatic lifeform affected by the parasitic infection. This calculated threshold value may be no greater then 0.01% of the surface area on the aquatic lifeform affected by the parasitic infection. This calculated threshold value may be no greater then 0% of the surface area on the aquatic lifeform affected by the parasitic infection.

[0059] The treatment zone 160 extends along a length of the guiding channel 152 between the guiding channel inlet 151 and the guiding channel outlet 153. The treatment zone 160 may be equally spaced from the guiding channel inlet 151 and the guiding channel outlet 153. The energy sources 161 / 162 are contained within the treatment zone 160.

[0060] The application of energy (light, sound, or electric field) is applied to the entire aquatic lifeform in the treatment zone 160 and intended to treat all surfaces of the aquatic lifeform. An imaging device may not direct the application of energy to a targeted location on the aquatic lifeform.

[0061] The post-treatment aquaculture area 124 may be stacked on top of the pre-treatment aquaculture area 122. The pre-treatment aquaculture area 122 may be submerged to a depth that discourages sea lice.

[0062] The blocking element 130 may be formed of a net or netting. The blocking element 130 may form an angle with the guiding channel 152. The blocking element 130 may be angled toward the surface 106 of the body of water 105, from a pre-treatment aquaculture area 122 side wall to the guiding channel 152. The angled blocking element 130 may encourage the aquatic lifeform or fish 10 to be guided toward the guiding apparatus 150 when seeking the surface 106 of the body of water 105, further reducing stress on the fish.

[0063] The guiding channel 152 extends toward the surface 106 of the body of water 105. The guiding channel 152 may extend along a longitudinal axis LA from a guiding channel inlet 151 to a guiding channel outlet 153 toward the surface 106 of the body of water 105. The longitudinal axis LA may be orthogonal to the surface 106 of the body of water 105. The aquatic lifeform or fish 10 swims from the pre-treatment aquaculture area 122 to the post-treatment aquaculture area 124 on its own initiative. The guiding apparatus 150 may be a passive fish transport conduit minimizing stress on the fish passing from the pre-treatment aquaculture area 122 to the posttreatment aquaculture area 124.

[0064] The guiding apparatus 150 may include a third energy source. The guiding apparatus 150 may include a fourth energy source. The guiding apparatus 150 may include a fifth energy source. The guiding apparatus 150 may include a sixth energy source.

[0065] Each of the energy sources may be spaced apart from each other an equal distance along the inner surfaces of the guiding channel 152. The two or more imaging energy sources may be placed along the inner surfaces of the guiding channel 152 to ensure all the surfaces of the aquatic lifeform or fish 10 are treated, and all surfaces of the aquatic lifeform may be treated at the same time to damage or remove sea lice from the aquatic lifeform or fish 10. Each energy source (opposing each other in the guiding channel 152) may be spaced apart from each other a lateral distance of less than 1.5 meters, or less than 1 meter.

[0066] The guiding channel 152 defines a width or diameter that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis LA. The width or diameter of the guiding channel 152 may be less than 1.5 meters. The width or diameter of the guiding channel 152 may be in a range from 25 cm to 125 centimeters. The width or diameter of the guiding channel 152 may be in a range from 50 cm to 100 centimeters. The length of the guiding channel 152 from the guiding channel inlet 151 to the guiding channeloutlet 153 may be in a range from 1 to 12 meters, or 1.5 to 9 meters. The guiding channel may define a cylinder. The guiding channel may define an elongated polygon.

[0067] The at least one of the energy sources may include an ultraviolet light source. The at least one of the energy sources may include an infrared light source.

[0068] The at least one of the energy sources comprises a low frequency sound source having a frequency of less than 1000 Hertz. The low frequency sound source may be a low frequency sound source emitting a sound of 500 Hertz or less. The low frequency sound source may be a low frequency sound source emitting a sound of 100 Hertz or less. The low frequency sound source may be a low frequency sound source emitting a sound in a range from 300 Hertz to 55 Hertz.

[0069] The at least one of the energy sources may include an ultrasound source having a frequency greater than 20000 Hertz.

[0070] The energy sources may include two or more electrodes configured to form an electric field within the treatment zone. The electric field may have a value large enough to injure the sea lice but not large enough to injure or stress the aquatic lifeform. The energy sources may provide an alternating voltage with one or more of a sinusoidal, square, smooth square, quasi-square waveform. The alternating voltage has a frequency of 5Hz to 250Hz or 100Hz to 200Hz, preferably the alternating voltage has a frequency lower than 125Hz. The peak voltage of the voltage output is between 100V and 600V. The rms voltage per meter is between 12 Vrms / m and 800 Vrms / m. The high power alternating voltage power supply is configured to deliver at least 3kW or 7kW to 20kW.

[0071] The treatment zone 160 may further include a plurality of wateijets 164 / 165 disposed downstream of the first energy source 161 and the second energy source 162. The plurality of wateijets 165 / 165 may be configured to loosen or remove parasites from the aquatic lifeform.

[0072] The treatment zone 160 may further include a plurality of aeration ports 166 / 167 disposed downstream of the first energy source 161 and the second energy source 162. The plurality of aeration ports 166 / 167 may be configured to aerate aquatic lifeforms exiting the treatment zone 160. Aerating the aquatic lifeforms may loosen or remove damaged sea lice from the aquatic lifeforms exiting the treatment zone 160.

[0073] The system 100 may further include a cleaning zone 180 downstream of the treatment zone 160. The cleaning zone 180 may include a plurality of cleaner fish configured to remove parasites from the aquatic lifeform.

[0074] The control unit 140 may be locate within the guiding apparatus 150. The control unit 140 may be located remote from the guiding apparatus 150.

[0075] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an illustrative method 200 for treating a parasitic infection on an aquatic lifeform. A method 200 for treating a parasitic infection on an aquatic lifeform, comprises guiding 202 an aquatic lifeform disposed within a pre-treatment aquaculture area, without access to a surface of a body of water, via a guiding apparatus comprising a guiding channel extending toward the surface of the body of water, through the guiding channel to a post-treatment aquaculture area having the surface of a body of water forming a boundary of the post-treatment aquaculture area. The method includes sensing 203, via a proximity sensor disposed along the treatment zone, the aquatic lifeform within a range of the proximity sensor, and then transmitting 204 an indication signal to a control unit comprising a processor and a memory. The method includes processing 205, via the processor, the indication signal, and transmitting 206 an activation signal, via the control unit and in response to the indication signal, to a first energy source and a second energy source disposed within the treatment zone, wherein the first energy source is disposed on a first surface of the treatment zone and the second energy source is disposed on a second surface of the treatment zone. Then emitting 207 a first energy, via the first energy source, to a first surface area on the aquatic lifeform in the treatment zone, and emitting 208 a second energy, via the second energy source, to a second surface area on the aquatic lifeform in the treatment zone.

[0076] The method may include capturing images of the aquatic lifeform upstream or downstream from the treatment zone and transmitting image data based on the images to a control unit comprising a processor and a memory. Then processing, via the processor, image data to detect a presence of a parasitic infection. In response to detecting the presence of the parasitic infection, the method includes calculating a percentage of surface area on the aquatic lifeform affected by the parasitic infection. If the percentage is below a threshold value, then enable the aquatic lifeform to exit the guiding channel.

[0077] Guiding an aquatic lifeform may comprise guiding an aquatic lifeform along a length of the guiding channel toward the surface of the body of water. The guiding the aquatic lifeform may include guiding an aquatic lifeform along a longitudinal axis of the guiding channel from an inlet of the guiding channel to an outlet of the guiding channel toward the surface of the body of water.

[0078] The method may include classifying, via a classification circuit, an aquatic lifeform based on captured image data. The method may include classifying, via a classification circuit, a parasitic infection based on captured image data.

[0079] The methods and processes described above can be implemented on computer hardware, for example, workstations, servers. In FIG. 4, a block diagram shows a system and computingapparatus 400 that may be used to implement methods according to various examples (for example, as a computer, a mobile device, a server, a smart sensor, a control system, among others.). The components may be implemented as integrated circuits (ICs), portions thereof, discrete electronic devices, or other modules, instruction sets, programmable logic or algorithms, hardware, hardware accelerators, software, firmware, or a combination thereof, or as components otherwise incorporated within a chassis of a larger system.

[0080] The controller 420 may include conventional computing hardware such as a central processor 421, memory 422, input / output (I / O) interfaces 423, and a non-volatile data storage unit 424 (for example, hard disk drives, solid state drives). The processor 421 may include any one or more of a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and / or equivalent discrete or integrated logic circuitry. In some examples, the processor 421 may include multiple components, such as any combination of one or more microprocessors, one or more controllers, one or more DSPs, one or more ASICs, and / or one or more FPGAs, as well as other discrete or integrated logic circuitry. The functions attributed to the controller 420 and / or processor 421 herein may be embodied as software, firmware, hardware, or any combination of these. Certain functionality of the controller 420 may also be performed in the cloud or other distributed computing systems operably connected to the processor 421. It is to be understood that the computing devices described herein may be a set of computing devices that are communicatively coupled via a cloudbased system, for example. For example, controller 420 can be a system of multiple controllers that operate together in a cloud-based system.

[0081] The memory 422 may include any volatile, non-volatile, magnetic, optical, and / or electrical media, such as a random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), nonvolatile RAM (NVRAM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, and / or any other digital media. While shown as both being incorporated into the controller 420, the memory 422 and the processor 421 could be contained in separate modules.

[0082] The controller 420 includes an external data interface 426 that receives proximity data from one or more proximity sensors 404. Each proximity sensor 404 senses aquatic lifeforms within a range of the proximity sensor 404. In response to detecting aquatic lifeforms, the proximity sensor 404 transmits an indication signal to the controller 420. In response to receiving the indication signal from the proximity sensor 404, the controller 420 transmits an activation signal to the one or more energy sources 408. In some examples, in response to receiving an activation signal from the controller 420, a first energy source emits an energy directed to a firstsurface of the aquatic lifeform and the second energy source emits an energy directed to a second surface of the aquatic lifeform. While examples described herein describe using two energy sources, it is to be understood that more of fewer energy sources may be used. In some examples, different types of energy sources may be used.

[0083] In some examples, one or more imaging devices 406 capture imaging data. The controller 420 uses the imaging data to detect a presence of a parasitic infection on the aquatic lifeform. In some examples, the controller 420 uses the imaging data to detect locations of the parasitic infection on the aquatic lifeform. In response to detecting the parasitic infection, the controller 420 may send an activation signal to the one or more energy sources 408. The activation signal may include information about locations in which the parasitic infection is detected on the aquatic lifeform.

[0084] Other sources of data 418 may also be used as inputs to the controller 420, such as ambient temperatures or other weather data, for example. In some examples, the controller includes a classification circuit 432 that is used to classify one or both of the aquatic lifeform and the parasitic infection based on information received from one or more of the proximity sensors 404, the one or more imaging devices 406, and any other data received.

[0085] According to various examples, information regarding one or both of an aquatic lifeform and a detected parasitic infection may be accessed via a user interface 425 that communicates data to a user. The user may be able to manually activate the one or more energy sources 408 via the user interface 425.

[0086] The data storage unit 424 may store a machine learning model 428 that predicts various information about one or both of the aquatic lifeform and the parasitic infections based on one or more of historical and present imaging device and user input data. According to various examples, a trend data model 430 may be used to trend past data of one or more of information regarding the aquatic lifeform and a detected parasitic infection with or without input from the machine learning model 428. An automation system 434 may be used to perform one or more automatic actions such as automatic treatment based on detection of one or both of a presence of an aquatic lifeform and a presence of a parasitic infection, for example.ASPECTS

[0087] The following is a list of exemplary aspects of the present disclosure.

[0088] Aspect l is a system for treating a parasitic infection on an aquatic lifeform, comprising: an aquaculture enclosure submerged below a surface of a body of water, the aquaculture enclosuredefines a pre-treatment aquaculture area and a post-treatment aquaculture area, the surface of the body of water forms an upper boundary of the post-treatment aquaculture area, the post-treatment aquaculture area separates the pre-treatment aquaculture area from the surface of the body of water; a blocking element separates the pre-treatment aquaculture area and a post-treatment aquaculture area; a control unit comprising at least a processor and a memory; and a guiding apparatus connects the pre-treatment aquaculture area with the post-treatment aquaculture area, the guiding apparatus extends through the blocking element, the guiding apparatus comprising: a guiding channel configured to guide the aquatic lifeform from the pre-treatment aquaculture area to the post-treatment aquaculture area; a treatment zone defined within the guiding channel, the treatment zone comprising a first energy source and a second energy source, wherein each energy source is disposed along opposing surfaces of the treatment zone and wherein each energy source is communicably coupled to the control unit; a proximity sensor disposed within the treatment zone and communicably coupled to the control unit, wherein the proximity sensor is configured to sense aquatic lifeforms within a range of the proximity sensor; such that when aquatic lifeforms enter the guiding channel: in response to the proximity sensor sensing the aquatic lifeform, the proximity sensor transmits an indication signal to the processor; in response to receiving the indication signal from the proximity sensor, the processor transmits an activation signal to the first energy source and the second energy source; and in response to receiving the activation signal, the first energy source emits an energy directed to a first surface of the aquatic lifeform and the second energy source emits an energy directed to a second surface of the aquatic lifeform.

[0089] Aspect 2 is the system according to aspect 1, further comprising an imaging device disposed upstream or downstream of the treatment zone, such that: the imaging device is configured to capture images of the aquatic lifeform and transmit image data based on the images to the processor; the processor processes the image data from each imaging device to detect a presence of a parasitic infection on the aquatic lifeform; in response to detecting the presence of the parasitic infection, calculate a percentage of surface area on the aquatic lifeform affected by the parasitic infection, wherein, if the percentage is below a threshold value, enable the aquatic lifeform to exit the guiding channel.

[0090] Aspect 3 is the system according to aspect 1, wherein the guiding channel extends along a longitudinal axis from a guiding channel inlet to a guiding channel outlet toward the surface of the body of water.

[0091] Aspect 4 is the system according to claim 3, wherein the longitudinal axis is orthogonal to the surface of the body of water.

[0092] Aspect 5 is the system according to any preceding aspect, wherein the guiding apparatus comprises a third energy source.

[0093] Aspect 6 is the system according to any preceding aspect, wherein the guiding apparatus comprises a fourth energy source.

[0094] Aspect 7 is the system according to any preceding aspect, wherein the guiding apparatus comprises a fifth energy source.

[0095] Aspect 8 is the system according to any preceding aspect, wherein the guiding apparatus comprises a sixth energy source.

[0096] Aspect 9 is the system according to any of aspects 5 to 8, wherein each of the energy sources are spaced apart from each other an equal distance along inner surfaces of the guiding channel.

[0097] Aspect 10 is the system according to aspect 3 or 4, wherein the guiding channel comprises a width or diameter orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and the width or diameter of the guiding channel is less than 1.5 meters, or the width or diameter of the guiding channel is in a range from 25 cm to 125 centimeters, or the width or diameter of the guiding channel is in a range from 50 cm to 100 centimeters.

[0098] Aspect 11 is the system according to any proceeding aspect, wherein each energy source is spaced apart from each other a lateral distance of less than 1.5 meters, or less than 1 meter.

[0099] Aspect 12 is the system according to any proceeding claim, wherein the guiding channel defines a cylinder.

[0100] Aspect 13 is the system according to any proceeding aspect, wherein the guiding channel defines an elongated polygon.

[0101] Aspect 14 is the system according to any proceeding aspect, wherein at least one of the energy sources comprises ultraviolet light source.

[0102] Aspect 15 is the system according to any proceeding aspect, wherein least one of the energy sources comprises infrared light source.

[0103] Aspect 16 is the system according to any proceeding aspect, wherein least one of the energy sources comprises a low frequency sound source having a frequency of less than 1000 Hertz.

[0104] Aspect 17 is the system according to any proceeding aspect, wherein least one of the energy sources comprises an ultrasound source having a frequency greater than 20000 Hertz.

[0105] Aspect 18 is the system according to aspects 2 to 17, wherein the processor further comprises: an aquatic lifeform classification circuit, configured to classify a detected aquaticlifeform based on captured image data; and a parasitic infection classification circuit, configured to classify a detected parasitic infection based on captured image data.

[0106] Aspect 19 is the system according to aspect 18, wherein the processor further comprises at least one neural network configured to classify an aquatic lifeform.

[0107] Aspect 20 is the system according to aspects 18 or 19, wherein the processor further comprises at least one neural network configured to enable detection and classification of the parasitic infection.

[0108] Aspect 21 is the system according to any preceding aspect, wherein the control unit is located within the guiding apparatus.

[0109] Aspect 22 is the system according to any preceding aspect, wherein the control unit is located remote to the guiding apparatus.

[0110] Aspect 23 is the system according to any proceeding aspect, wherein at least one of the energy sources comprises two or more electrodes configured to form an electric field within the treatment zone.

[0111] Aspect 24 is the system according to any proceeding aspect, wherein the treatment zone further comprises a plurality of waterjets disposed downstream of the first energy source and the second energy source, wherein the plurality of waterjets is configured to loosen or remove parasites from the aquatic lifeform.

[0112] Aspect 25 is the system according to any proceeding aspect, wherein the treatment zone further comprises a plurality of aeration ports disposed downstream of the first energy source and the second energy source, wherein the plurality of aeration ports is configured to aerate aquatic lifeforms exiting the treatment zone.

[0113] Aspect 26 is the system according to any proceeding aspect, wherein the system further comprises a cleaning zone downstream of the treatment zone, the cleaning zone comprises a plurality of cleaner fish configured to remove parasites from the aquatic lifeform.

[0114] Aspect 27 is a method for treating a parasitic infection on an aquatic lifeform, comprising: guiding an aquatic lifeform disposed within a pre-treatment aquaculture area, without access to a surface of a body of water, via a guiding apparatus comprising a guiding channel extending toward the surface of the body of water, through the guiding channel to a post-treatment aquaculture area having the surface of a body of water forming a boundary of the post-treatment aquaculture area, the guiding channel defining a treatment zone; sensing, via a proximity sensor disposed along the treatment zone, the aquatic lifeform within a range of the proximity sensor; transmitting an indication signal to a control unit comprising a processor and a memory; processing, via theprocessor, the indication signal; transmitting an activation signal, via the control unit and in response to the indication signal, to a first energy source and a second energy source disposed within the treatment zone, wherein the first energy source is disposed on a first surface of the treatment zone and the second energy source is disposed on a second surface of the treatment zone; emitting a first energy, via the first energy source, to a first surface area on the aquatic lifeform in the treatment zone; and emitting a second energy, via the second energy source, to a second surface area on the aquatic lifeform in the treatment zone.

[0115] Aspect 28 is the method according to aspect 27, further comprising capturing images of the aquatic lifeform upstream or downstream from the treatment zone, and transmitting image data based on the images to a control unit comprising a processor and a memory; processing, via the processor, image data to detect a presence of a parasitic infection; in response to detecting the presence of the parasitic infection, calculate a percentage of surface area on the aquatic lifeform affected by the parasitic infection; wherein: if the percentage is below a threshold value, enable the aquatic lifeform to exit the guiding channel.

[0116] Aspect 29 is the method according to aspect 27 or 28, wherein guiding comprises guiding the aquatic lifeform along a longitudinal axis from a guiding channel inlet to a guiding channel outlet toward the surface of the body of water.

[0117] Aspect 30 is the method according to aspect 29, wherein the longitudinal axis is orthogonal to the surface of the body of water.

[0118] Aspect 31 is the methoid according to any of aspects 27 to 29, wherein the guiding apparatus comprises a third energy source, a fourth energy source, a fifth energy source, or a sixth energy source.

[0119] Aspect 32 is the method according to aspect 28, further comprising: classifying, via a classification circuit, an aquatic lifeform based on captured image data.

[0120] Aspect 33 is the method according to aspect 28 or 32, further comprising: classifying, via a classification circuit, a parasitic infection based on captured image data.

[0121] Aspect 34 is the method according to any of aspects 27 to 33, wherein the guiding channel defines a cylinder.

[0122] Aspect 35 is the method according to any of aspects 27 to 34, wherein the guiding channel defines an elongated polygon.

[0123] Aspect 36 is the method according to any of aspects 27 to 35, wherein emitting comprises at least one of the energy sources emitting ultraviolet light.

[0124] Aspect 37 is the method according to any of aspects 27 to 36, wherein emitting comprises at least one of the energy sources emitting infrared light.

[0125] Aspect 38 is the method according to any of aspects 27 to 37, wherein emitting comprises at least one of the energy sources emitting a low frequency sound having a frequency of less than 1000 Hertz.

[0126] Aspect 39 is the method according to any of aspects 27 to 38, wherein emitting comprises at least one of the energy sources emitting ultrasound source having a frequency greater than 20000 Hertz.

[0127] Aspect 40 is the method according to aspects 28, wherein the processor further comprises at least one neural network classifying an aquatic lifeform.

[0128] Aspect 41 is the method according to aspects 28 or 39, wherein the processor further comprises at least one neural network detecting and classifying the parasitic infection.

[0129] Aspect 42 is the method according to any of aspects 27 to 40, wherein at least one of the energy sources comprises two or more electrodes forming an electric field within the treatment zone.

[0130] Aspect 43 is the method according to any of aspects 27 to 42, wherein the treatment zone further comprises a plurality of waterjets disposed downstream of the first energy source and the second energy source, wherein the plurality of waterjets loosens or removes parasites from the aquatic lifeform.

[0131] Aspect 44 is the method according to any of aspects 27 to 43, wherein the treatment zone further comprises a plurality of aeration ports disposed downstream of the first energy source and the second energy source, wherein the plurality of aeration ports aerates aquatic lifeforms exiting the treatment zone.

[0132] Aspect 45 is the method according to any of aspects 27 to 44, wherein the system further comprises a cleaning zone downstream of the treatment zone, the cleaning zone comprises a plurality of cleaner fish removing parasites from the aquatic lifeform.

[0133] All patents, patent applications (including provisional applications), and publications cited herein are incorporated by reference as if individually incorporated for all purposes. Unless otherwise indicated, all parts and percentages are by weight and all molecular weights are weight average molecular weights. The foregoing detailed description has been given for clarity of understanding only. No unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom. The invention is not limited to the exact details shown and described, for variations obvious to one skilled in the art will be included within the invention defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A system for treating a parasitic infection on an aquatic lifeform, comprising: an aquaculture enclosure submerged below a surface of a body of water, the aquaculture enclosure defines a pre-treatment aquaculture area and a post-treatment aquaculture area, the surface of the body of water forms an upper boundary of the post-treatment aquaculture area, the post-treatment aquaculture area separates the pre-treatment aquaculture area from the surface of the body of water; a blocking element separates the pre-treatment aquaculture area and a post-treatment aquaculture area; a control unit comprising at least a processor and a memory; and a guiding apparatus connects the pre-treatment aquaculture area with the post-treatment aquaculture area, the guiding apparatus extends through the blocking element, the guiding apparatus comprising: a guiding channel configured to guide the aquatic lifeform from the pre-treatment aquaculture area to the post-treatment aquaculture area; a treatment zone defined within the guiding channel, the treatment zone comprising a first energy source and a second energy source, wherein each energy source is disposed along opposing surfaces of the treatment zone and wherein each energy source is communicably coupled to the control unit; a proximity sensor disposed within the treatment zone and communicably coupled to the control unit, wherein the proximity sensor is configured to sense aquatic lifeforms within a range of the proximity sensor; such that when aquatic lifeforms enter the guiding channel: in response to the proximity sensor sensing the aquatic lifeform, the proximity sensor transmits an indication signal to the processor; in response to receiving the indication signal from the proximity sensor, the processor transmits an activation signal to the first energy source and the second energy source; andin response to receiving the activation signal, the first energy source emits an energy directed to a first surface of the aquatic lifeform and the second energy source emits an energy directed to a second surface of the aquatic lifeform.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an imaging device disposed upstream or downstream of the treatment zone, such that: the imaging device is configured to capture images of the aquatic lifeform and transmit image data based on the images to the processor; the processor processes the image data from each imaging device to detect a presence of a parasitic infection on the aquatic lifeform; in response to detecting the presence of the parasitic infection, calculate a percentage of surface area on the aquatic lifeform affected by the parasitic infection, wherein, if the percentage is below a threshold value, enable the aquatic lifeform to exit the guiding channel.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the guiding channel extends along a longitudinal axis from a guiding channel inlet to a guiding channel outlet toward the surface of the body of water.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the longitudinal axis is orthogonal to the surface of the body of water.

5. The system according to any preceding claim, wherein the guiding apparatus comprises a third energy source.

6. The system according to any proceeding claim, wherein each of the energy sources are spaced apart from each other an equal distance along inner surfaces of the guiding channel.

7. The system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the guiding channel comprises a width or diameter orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and the width or diameter of the guiding channel is less than 1.5 meters, or the width or diameter of the guiding channel is in a range from 25 cm to 125 centimeters, or the width or diameter of the guiding channel is in a range from 50 cm to 100 centimeters.

8. The system according to any proceeding claim, wherein each energy source is spaced apart from each other a lateral distance of less than 1.5 meters, or less than 1 meter.

9. The system according to any proceeding claim, wherein at least one of the energy sources comprises ultraviolet light source.

10. The system according to any proceeding claim, wherein least one of the energy sources comprises infrared light source.

11. The system according to any proceeding claim, wherein least one of the energy sources comprises a low frequency sound source having a frequency of less than 1000 Hertz.

12. The system according to any proceeding claim, wherein least one of the energy sources comprises an ultrasound source having a frequency greater than 20000 Hertz.

13. The system according to any of claims 2 to 12, wherein the processor further comprises: an aquatic lifeform classification circuit, configured to classify a detected aquatic lifeform based on captured image data; and a parasitic infection classification circuit, configured to classify a detected parasitic infection based on captured image data.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the processor further comprises at least one neural network configured to enable detection and classification of the parasitic infection.

15. The system according to any proceeding claim, wherein at least one of the energy sources comprises two or more electrodes configured to form an electric field within the treatment zone.

16. The system according to any proceeding claim, wherein the treatment zone further comprises a plurality of waterjets disposed downstream of the first energy source and the second energy source, wherein the plurality of waterjets is configured to loosen or remove parasites from the aquatic lifeform.

17. The system according to any proceeding claim, wherein the treatment zone further comprises a plurality of aeration ports disposed downstream of the first energy source and the second energy source, wherein the plurality of aeration ports is configured to aerate aquatic lifeforms exiting the treatment zone.

18. The system according to any proceeding claim, wherein the system further comprises a cleaning zone downstream of the treatment zone, the cleaning zone comprises a plurality of cleaner fish configured to remove parasites from the aquatic lifeform.

19. A method for treating a parasitic infection on an aquatic lifeform, comprising: guiding an aquatic lifeform disposed within a pre-treatment aquaculture area, without access to a surface of a body of water, via a guiding apparatus comprising a guiding channel extending toward the surface of the body of water, through the guiding channel to a posttreatment aquaculture area having the surface of a body of water forming a boundary of the post-treatment aquaculture area, the guiding channel defining a treatment zone; sensing, via a proximity sensor disposed along the treatment zone, the aquatic lifeform within a range of the proximity sensor; transmitting an indication signal to a control unit comprising a processor and a memory; processing, via the processor, the indication signal; transmitting an activation signal, via the control unit and in response to the indication signal, to a first energy source and a second energy source disposed within the treatment zone, wherein the first energy source is disposed on a first surface of the treatment zone and the second energy source is disposed on a second surface of the treatment zone; emitting a first energy, via the first energy source, to a first surface area on the aquatic lifeform in the treatment zone; and emitting a second energy, via the second energy source, to a second surface area on the aquatic lifeform in the treatment zone.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising capturing images of the aquatic lifeform upstream or downstream from the treatment zone, and transmitting image data based on the images to a control unit comprising a processor and a memory; processing, via the processor, image data to detect a presence of a parasitic infection; in response to detecting the presence ofthe parasitic infection, calculate a percentage of surface area on the aquatic lifeform affected by the parasitic infection; wherein: if the percentage is below a threshold value, enable the aquatic lifeform to exit the guiding channel.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein guiding comprises guiding the aquatic lifeform along a longitudinal axis from a guiding channel inlet to a guiding channel outlet toward the surface of the body of water.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the longitudinal axis is orthogonal to the surface of the body of water.

23. The method according to any of claims 19 to 22, wherein the guiding apparatus comprises a third energy source, a fourth energy source, a fifth energy source, or a sixth energy source.

24. The method according to claims 19 to 23, further comprising: classifying, via a classification circuit, an aquatic lifeform based on captured image data.

25. The method according to claims 19 to 24, further comprising: classifying, via a classification circuit, a parasitic infection based on captured image data.

26. The method according to any of claims 19 to 25, wherein emitting comprises at least one of the energy sources emitting ultraviolet light.

27. The method according to any of claims 19 to 26, wherein emitting comprises at least one of the energy sources emitting infrared light.

28. The method according to any of claims 19 to 27, wherein emitting comprises at least one of the energy sources emitting a low frequency sound having a frequency of less than 1000 Hertz.

29. The method according to any of claims 19 to 27, wherein emitting comprises at least one of the energy sources emitting ultrasound source having a frequency greater than 20000 Hertz.

30. The method according to any of claims 19 to 29, wherein at least one of the energy sources comprises two or more electrodes forming an electric field within the treatment zone.

31. The method according to any of claims 19 to 30, wherein the treatment zone further comprises a plurality of waterjets disposed downstream of the first energy source and the second energy source, wherein the plurality of waterjets loosens or removes parasites from the aquatic lifeform.

32. The method according to any of claims 19 to 31, wherein the treatment zone further comprises a plurality of aeration ports disposed downstream of the first energy source and the second energy source, wherein the plurality of aeration ports aerates aquatic lifeforms exiting the treatment zone.

33. The method according to any of claims 19 to 32, wherein the system further comprises a cleaning zone downstream of the treatment zone, the cleaning zone comprises a plurality of cleaner fish removing parasites from the aquatic lifeform.

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