LocalCoho partners with Shinkei Systems for automated fish harvesting

Land-based salmon farming company LocalCoho, based in Auburn, New York, U.S.A., partnered with Shinkei Systems to use the company’s robotics and machine learning technologies to automate its fish harvesting. 

LocalCoho – formerly Finger Lakes Fish – is operating a 43,000-square-foot recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facility in New York raising coho salmon. The company received marquee investments from prominent figures in the seafood industry in November 2022, and is working to transition its initial facility beyond the pilot phase.

LocalCoho CEO Michael Fabbro said the partnership with Shinkei Systems will allow the company to improve the taste, texture, and quality of its fish while also increasing efficiency and reducing waste.

"There are the ethical reasons why we focus on good harvest practices and we're always looking to further improve quality. The machine is taking it to a whole other level," Fabbro said. "We're already producing premium-quality farmed salmon. This is a great way to be different and offer a truly superior fresh product."

LocalCoho said Shinkei’s equipment automates the harvest and slaughter process, imitating the Japanese slaughter technique known as “jime” used by sushi chefs. The equipment reduces fish stress during slaughter by euthanizing them instantly, helping to prevent poor flesh quality. 

The result, according to Shinkei Founder Saif Khawaja, is “better-tasting, longer-lasting fish” thanks to the faster, more-humane kill.

"We've built and tested many initial prototypes after long nights in the shop, and we're excited to partner with LocalCoho for our industrial version,” Khawaja said.

Shinkei’s equipment is already in use in other parts of the seafood industry. Andy Quinn, the chef and owner of The Noortwyck restaurant in New York City, said he serves fish harvested with the equipment.

"The fish they provided us is the kind I've been hoping for in a dream world — I'd almost given up hope and then in through my door they came,” Quinn said.

LocalCoho said it plans to start using Shinkei’s machinery this month, and it plans to sell the salmon online via FreshDirect.  

Photo courtesy of LocalCoho/Shinkei Systems