Nematode Detection in Atlantic Cod with Spectral Imaging

With nematodes posing a risk for the fishing processing industry, their detection in fish fillets is ever more crucial for the safety of seafood consumption. However, the industry is still dependent on manual labor for the identification and removal of these parasites from fish meat. Universities, research institutions and the industry as a whole are investigating methodologies for automated detection.

In 2021, Videometer initiated the TraceMyFish project, collaborating with Scio, the University of Iceland, the Agricultural University of Athens, and NTNU.

As part of the project, PhD student Andrea Rakel Sigurðardóttir from the University of Iceland, conducted a study using Videometer’s Spectral Imaging Technology. Andrea Sigurðardóttir spent a month at Videometer’s headquarters in Herlev, Denmark, to deepen her knowledge on the system’s advanced features, before completing her study on nematode detection in Atlantic cod fillets.

Her study used multispectral imaging (MSI) and image processing techniques to accurately identify nematodes in fish fillets. By analyzing 270 images of 50 fillets, she was able to differentiate nematodes from common defects like blood spots and skin remnants. Her work achieved 88% precision and 79% recall, demonstrating MSI’s potential to enhance seafood quality control. This method can reduce unnecessary inspection, improve process efficiency, and boost both product safety and quality.

Read the full paper here.