Fish feeding behavior quantification and automatic acoustic event detection: algorithmic optimization with deep learning

In recent years, the integration of sensor processing technologies with intelligent feeding control systems has become crucial for enhancing recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). Intelligent feeding control significantly improves profitability and animal welfare in aquaculture by accurately monitoring feed intake and reducing waste. Acoustic methods have proven effective in automating feed monitoring, particularly in assessing feeding intensity. Automatic Audio Event Detection (AED) holds promise for identifying sound events associated with feeding activities, enabling precise monitoring of feeding behavior and estimation of feed consumption through frequency-based feeding signatures. Advancements in sensor technologies and computational capabilities enable real-time collection, processing, and analysis of acoustic data. However, handling high volumes of data with minimal latency and high accuracy poses challenges. To address these challenges, we propose a systematic approach: (1) Data preprocessing using wavelet transforms enhances efficiency and reduces computational overhead. (2) Data pruning focuses on informative features and reduces input data dimensionality, improving classification accuracy. (3) We adopt a weakly-labeled semi-supervised learning model with Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) to detect feeding events, improving classification performance. (4) Ensemble learning combines multiple classifiers to mitigate overfitting and enhance model generalization. Our methodology shows promise in accurately quantifying fish feeding behavior using acoustic signals.