Enabling subsea parasite control through advanced power solutions. Parasites such as sea lice pose ongoing risks to fish health, welfare and farm performance across global aquaculture. Beyond direct harm to fish, infestations place sustained pressure on productivity and biosecurity. Recent research shows disease outbreaks, including parasitic infections, drive losses exceeding 30% in several major aquaculture-producing countries, with economic impacts reaching billions of dollars each year.* These pressures add up quickly at the farm level. Parasites slow growth, weaken fish, and increase mortality, while sea lice alone cost salmon farmers more than £700 million per year worldwide. Together, these impacts underline the growing need for more effective and welfare-focused control methods.
A New Approach: Imaging and Laser-Based Subsea Parasite Control
A new subsea technology offers a practical alternative to traditional parasite treatments. Operating directly underwater, the system combines imaging, sensor networks, and targeted laser treatment to identify and remove parasites while fish remain in their nets. High resolution imaging allows parasites to be detected as fish pass through the system, while advanced sensors pinpoint their position in real time. Integrated lasers then remove the parasites with precision, without damaging surrounding tissue. By avoiding chemicals and reducing the need for handling, the system lowers stress for fish and delivers clear welfare benefits.
Behind this capability sits a critical enabling factor: reliable power underpins every part of the system. Subsea environments place strict demands on equipment, which must operate continuously underwater with limited opportunities for maintenance. Enclosures leave little room for electronics, and heat dissipation remains a constant challenge. Any power instability risks disrupting sensors and laser accuracy, with immediate consequences for live fish. Careful power design ensures stable voltage, high efficiency to limit heat build-up, and rugged, compact solutions suited to confined subsea housings.
Overcoming Subsea Power Challenges
XP Power worked closely with a technology partner to develop a solution suited to the demands of subsea operations. From the outset, the collaboration focused on supporting sensitive imaging and sensor systems with power supplies designed to deliver low electrical ripple and stable output. Compact, ruggedised power supplies were selected to fit within tight subsea housings, while extensive testing confirmed reliable performance under submerged conditions. XP Power also supported system-level integration, helping ensure long-term reliability once deployed in live farming environments.
This approach supports several priorities now shaping modern aquaculture. Healthier fish and higher survival rates contribute directly to more sustainable production. At the same time, reducing reliance on chemical treatments lowers environmental impact and helps producers meet regulatory and consumer expectations around welfare. More efficient operations are increasingly critical as global demand rises, with aquaculture now supplying more than half of the world’s aquatic animal food, making reliability and scalability essential for future growth.
These developments sit within broader technology trends across the sector. Automation, AI-driven monitoring, and remote operations are becoming more common as farms seek greater consistency and control. All these advances rely on dependable power in challenging marine environments. As aquaculture technology evolves, lessons from subsea energy, medical devices, and industrial control continue to inform solutions that extend what subsea systems can deliver.
Future Opportunities For Marine Engineering Innovation
Looking ahead, subsea parasite control represents one example of how advanced engineering supports modern aquaculture. Similar subsea systems are already being explored for health monitoring, feeding optimisation, and infrastructure management, all within the same challenging marine conditions. As these applications expand, progress in power density, long-term reliability, and system integration will support broader capability. Ongoing collaboration between power engineers and marine technology specialists plays a central role in moving aquaculture systems toward greater autonomy and resilience.
References
*https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/21/10738
Image: XP Power