IMR introduces new sampling software
The Institute of Marine Research (IMR) in Bergen has developed a new web-based sampling software. Fish2Data uses the FishMeter for data input along with weight scales, pit tag reader, calliper and a label writer. The institute is planning to release the software as open source from next year.
– The new system will be an important part of IMR’s established sampling routines, explains Project Manager Hans Victor Koch, who has supervised the development of the software.
– It has taken us somewhere between two and three years to develop, but the process has been supported with enthusiasm from leaders as well as users at the institute.
SCREENSHOT: Fish2Data is designed to be integrated seamlessly into IMR’s existing sampling routines. PHOTO: Hans Victor Koch/IMR
Integrated sampling
In addition to the FishMeter from Scantrol Deep Vision, the software currently supports a selection of marine scales from Marel, pit tag readers from AEG, callipers and a Brother label writer for labelling biological samples.
The electronic sampling devices connect to one or several Rasberry Pi computers mounted in a waterproof case. These are further connected via cable or WiFi to a server located onboard the vessel or at one of the institute’s data centres when lab testing onshore.
In the wet lab, the system is controlled from an iPad equipped with a waterproof cover. The application is web-based and can be run from most browsers. Output data can be generated in several formats, such as XML and CSV before they are imported into IMR’s existing data systems.
– Fish2Data allows us to implement the institute’s complex algorithms for stratification and integrates seamlessly with our existing systems, explains Koch.
Open source software
Fish2Data has already been thoroughly tested over the past few years and is now being implemented on the Institute’s vessels and laboratories. But work on the software will not stop there according to Koch:
– IMR is planning to share the code as open source software for other institutes to access. We will start this process next year.
Fish2Data is written in Javascript and uses libraries such as Meteor, ReAct and Mongo database.
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