Mr Lim hoists up one of the sensors keeping an eye on oxygen levels in the water (above), while he is able to monitor conditions at his farm remotely via the Internet, and even activate oxygen pumps if necessary. -- ST PHOTOS: RAJ NADARAJAN
FISH farmers are installing an early-warning system that monitors water quality and alerts them when it falls.
They do not even have to be at the farms to check, for example, the levels of dissolved oxygen and water temperature, as the system can be accessed through the Internet.
Three farmers, among those who lost thousands of dollars worth of fish stocks when a plankton bloom hit Singapore last year, have each paid $115,000 for the system.
At least 15 other farms in the Pasir Ris-Pulau Ubin area are also looking into installing the system by the end of the year. The thought of another financial setback is too scary for them to contemplate.
The pioneering trio of farmers got in touch with local water testing company Shecey in February and worked with it to come up with the system comprising an above-ground display panel, sensors placed in the water, 3m down, and closed-circuit television cameras.
If oxygen levels fall too low - such as when a sudden mushrooming of plankton takes place - alarms will go off to alert those on the farm.
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