As global concerns over food safety, sustainable fisheries management, and aquaculture efficiency grow, the Internet of Things (IoT) is accelerating the digital transformation of the fishing industry. Among these technologies, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) stands out for its efficiency, automation, and strong traceability. The application of RFID in aquaculture and catch tracking not only enhances management efficiency but also improves food safety and promotes sustainable fisheries. This article explores the applications, advantages, and future trends of RFID technology in aquaculture and catch tracking.

1. Fundamentals of RFID Technology

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a wireless technology used for contactless data identification and transmission. Its basic components include:

• RFID Tags: Chips attached to target objects that store relevant information.
• RFID Readers: Devices used to read or write information from RFID tags.
• Backend Systems: Platforms for data processing, storage, and analysis.

Based on power supply methods, RFID tags can be classified into passive, active, and semi-passive types. Passive tags are cost-effective and suitable for individual fish identification, while active tags are ideal for long-range and underwater data collection.

2. Applications of RFID in Aquaculture

2.1 Individual Fish Identification and Health Monitoring

RFID tags can be implanted or attached to fish, assigning each one a unique identification code, enabling precise individual management. In large aquaculture farms, RFID allows automated tracking of fish growth, vaccination records, and health data, reducing labor costs and improving farming efficiency.

2.2 Environmental Monitoring and Optimization

RFID can be integrated with sensor networks to monitor key water quality parameters such as temperature, pH levels, and dissolved oxygen in real time. Tags can store fish population growth data in different water environments, and big data analytics can help optimize aquaculture conditions. For instance, intelligent feeding systems can adjust feed quantities based on RFID feedback, reducing waste and enhancing productivity.

2.3 Disease Prevention and Precision Medication

By integrating RFID with intelligent aquatic disease management systems, infected fish can be quickly identified, preventing large-scale outbreaks. Additionally, RFID technology enables precision medication, ensuring specific fish populations receive the right dosage, thereby reducing antibiotic overuse and improving food safety.

3. Applications of RFID in Catch Tracking

3.1 Digitalized Fishing Operations

Traditional fishing operations often suffer from inadequate record-keeping and lack of transparency regarding catch origins. RFID provides end-to-end traceability, recording real-time data on fish species, weight, time, and location during fishing trips. This enhances accuracy in fisheries management. For example, in large-scale ocean fishing, RFID systems on boats can automatically log each catch, improving regulatory oversight.

3.2 Transparent Supply Chain and Food Safety Assurance

Consumers are increasingly demanding higher standards for seafood quality and safety. RFID enhances supply chain transparency, ensuring seafood products are traceable from pond to plate. RFID tags store key information such as farming conditions, catch time, and cold-chain transport data. Consumers can scan RFID tags or QR codes to access detailed product histories, building trust in seafood products.

3.3 Preventing Illegal Fishing and Promoting Sustainable Fisheries

Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing poses a significant threat to global fisheries sustainability. RFID, combined with GPS and blockchain technology, enables compliance monitoring for fishing activities. Regulatory agencies can track vessels to ensure legal fishing operations and prevent overfishing. Additionally, RFID tags can be used for fish marking and release studies, aiding marine conservation efforts and fisheries policy decisions.

4. Challenges and Future Developments

4.1 Challenges

Despite its advantages, RFID in smart fisheries faces several challenges:

• Limited Underwater Signal Transmission: High-frequency and ultra-high-frequency RFID signals are restricted in water, while low-frequency RFID works better but has a shorter read range.
• Cost Issues: The initial investment for RFID adoption in small and medium-sized farms is relatively high, making return on investment (ROI) a key concern.
• Standardization Issues: The lack of uniform RFID standards across different regions can hinder the interoperability of seafood traceability systems in global trade.

4.2 Future Trends

• Specialized Underwater RFID Technology: Future developments may include low-frequency optimized RFID or acoustic RFID, improving underwater identification capabilities.
• AI and Big Data Integration: Artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analytics can further enhance aquaculture management, predicting fish growth trends and providing precision farming insights.
• Blockchain + RFID Traceability Systems: Combining RFID with blockchain ensures tamper-proof data, strengthening trust in seafood traceability systems.

Conclusion

RFID technology has enormous potential in aquaculture and catch tracking, enhancing efficiency, food safety, and traceability. As technology advances and costs decrease, RFID is expected to play an even greater role in smart fisheries, supporting the sustainable development of global fisheries. In the future, the integration of AI, big data, and blockchain will drive fisheries into a more intelligent and transparent era.