Lusedata: A Blueprint for Industry-Wide Data Sharing in Aquaculture

Lusedata: A Blueprint for Industry-Wide Data Sharing in Aquaculture 

In Norway, salmon aquaculture is a cornerstone of the economy and a vital source of blue food. Yet, the industry faces a persistent challenge: salmon lice. These parasites threaten fish health, reduce yields, and pose environmental risks. In response, HUB Ocean and OPS Sjømat launched Lusedata, a pioneering initiative that transforms how the industry monitors and manages lice outbreaks—by unlocking the power of shared data. 

A Sector-Wide Collaboration for Fish Health 

Lusedata is the result of a deep collaboration between HUB Ocean and OPS Sjømat, supported by the Norwegian Seafood Federation and the Norwegian Seafood Association. The initiative brings together data from over 1,000 aquaculture production sites, making it openly available through the Ocean Data Platform (ODP) and the Lusedata.no portal.  

This data includes: 

• Lice counts and treatment statistics 

• Environmental parameters like temperature and currents 

• Preventative measures and production conditions 

By aggregating and enriching these datasets, Lusedata provides fish health professionals with a streamlined interface that dramatically reduces time spent on data collection—freeing up capacity for proactive management.  

From Reporting to Prediction 

The first phase of Lusedata focused on transferring historical and current data into a more accessible format. The second phase expands reporting to include preventive actions, not just reactive treatments. Future iterations will integrate IoT data from sensors and cameras, enabling predictive analytics to anticipate outbreaks before they happen.  

This shift—from static reporting to dynamic decision support—is a game-changer for aquaculture in Norway. It empowers stakeholders to understand what works, when, and why—based on real-time environmental and operational data. 

Driving Transparency and Trust 

By making operational data publicly available, the Norwegian aquaculture industry is demonstrating leadership in transparency, sustainability, and collaboration. 

As one user put it: 

“Even though we’ve shared data for ten years, we still have a lot to learn about what actually works.”  

This openness invites innovation. Researchers, regulators, and producers can now work from a shared foundation of data, accelerating progress toward healthier fish and cleaner oceans. 

A Model for Other Sectors 

The success of Lusedata offers a replicable model for other industries facing environmental challenges. It shows how: 

• Open data can drive sector-wide improvements 

• Collaborative platforms like ODP can unify fragmented datasets 

• User-friendly tools can turn raw data into actionable insights 

The initiative has already sparked interest from other sectors, including shipping, offshore energy, and finance, as they explore how shared data can support ESG goals and operational efficiency.