Increasing the Sustainability and Visibility of the Supply Chain of High-Value Seafood and Fish Products in Atlantic Canada: A Feasibility Study for the adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) and Blockchain/Distributed Ledger Technology\par

Christian E. Coronado Mondragon, School of Ocean Technology, Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada

Adrian E. Coronado Mondragon, School of Management

Royal Holloway, University of London Egham, Surrey, UK

Etienne S Coronado, Professional Technology Services Canada

Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs), or better known as Blockchains, are decentralized, synchronous, tamper proof, consensually shared, cyberattack proof databases which enable its parties to exchange and validate information. DLTs have a very well established reputation in the financial sector as the cornerstone for cryptocurrencies. However, DLTs can be applied to any industry that requires synchronous and secure proof of transactions between parties with different levels of trust and geographical locations.

Specifically for the fisheries industry, the increased pressure from consumers demanding to trace the origin of the products they consume, the vulnerability and sensibility of fish stock to overfishing, and the advent of paradigm shift technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), intelligent sensors and DLTs have created the right conditions to positively transform the management of the supply chain of the fisheries industry. This transformation will not only make the supply chain in the fisheries industry (from the vessel to end user) more efficient, but will increase product safety, quality, certainty of product origin, and compliance with fishing regulations. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to present the basis for a conceptual pilot project to develop the necessary tools for the effective and complete visualization of the supply chain of fish and seafood products in Atlantic Canada using DLTs. This work specifically focuses on the transportation of temperature sensitive fish products (i.e. superchilled cod fillets) and live seafood products (i.e. live crab) from capture and processing to the point of sale.\ Ultimately, the aim is to improve the efficiency of the fishing/fish processing industry operational practices.

Method\par}\par

In terms of methodology this work comprises a technology readiness assessment and feasibility analysis that has considered intelligent sensors used for\ the transportation of fish (temperature sensitive) and/or seafood products (live). This work proposes a conceptual blockchain architecture network for the visualization, monitoring and control of the supply chain of fish and seafood from capture/harvest to end user.\ In\ our opinion, innovations in the transportation of live fish and shellfish have mostly been concentrated on the development of incremental improvement in container technology.

Results

Table 1 shows the type of fields that might be considered storing in the distributed ledger/blockchain related to the transportation of live seafood products as these retain\ higher value alive or fresh rather than butchered or frozen. The survival conditions that need to be monitored to minimize the mortality rate of transported seafood stock animals can be stored in the blockchain.

Product Description: King Crab

{\fontsize{11pt}{13.2pt}\selectfont Transaction id: 820f8fd515f4dcfc8e21a96388797afe6a70b60c6764356d700cc86f2beddcd9 \par}\par

{\fontsize{11pt}{13.2pt}\selectfont Secret key: cTLUtfv2Sq5K1yjs5fcRmxitL51i35WmVxaCGUCbfCp722V5aMVY\par}\par

{\fontsize{11pt}{13.2pt}\selectfont Quality of transported animal: Low\par}\par

{\fontsize{11pt}{13.2pt}\selectfont Ammonia level: Medium\par}\par

{\fontsize{11pt}{13.2pt}\selectfont Water temperature: 3 C\par}\par

{\fontsize{11pt}{13.2pt}\selectfont Amount of dissolved oxygen: Adequate\par}\par

{\fontsize{11pt}{13.2pt}\selectfont pH carbon dioxide: 7.9\par}\par

{\fontsize{11pt}{13.2pt}\selectfont Quantity of animals transported: 200\par}\par

{\fontsize{11pt}{13.2pt}\selectfont Activity of animal transported: Low\par}\par

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Table 1. Distributed ledger/blockchain technology related the transportation of live seafood products\par

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{\fontsize{11pt}{13.2pt}\selectfont In table 1, the blockchain keeps records of product description, transaction id, secret key, quality of transported animal, ammonia level, water\ temperature, amount of dissolved oxygen, pH carbon dioxide, quantity of animals transported and activity of animals transported. As an example, the table\ illustrates the parameters related to the transportation of a batch of king crab. The same parameters can be applicable to many other species including lobster, shrimp, oyster, cod and many more.\par}\par

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{\fontsize{11pt}{13.2pt}\selectfont A framework for the adoption of distributed ledger technology/blockchain technology is needed to provide harvesters, logistics operators and end users with access to real-time and historical information on the conditions of transported animals. When possible, this information may be merged with readings of meteorological and oceanographic conditions as provided by buoys in Canada’s SmartAtlantic initiative. In our view, combining environmental data and the data generated by cargo sensors using the blockchain will lead to a better understanding of the dynamic biophysical conditions influencing the survivability of transported animals. As a consequence this can translate into superior control of the value chain allowing for better decision making regarding the transportation of live seafood products.\par}\par

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{\fontsize{11pt}{13.2pt}\selectfont Conclusion\par}\par

{\fontsize{11pt}{13.2pt}\selectfont The fisheries and the seafood industry is immensely competitive with many suppliers, no effective barriers to entry, and has many products that are substitutes for each other and in most cases with small or negative returns on investment. This dynamic has historically led to unethical practices during fishing, processing and distribution of fish and seafood products. Hence, developing a convergence framework for adopting distributed ledger/blockchain technology may enable Atlantic Canadian fisheries to effectively visualize and control their supply chain.\par}\par

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{\fontsize{11pt}{13.2pt}\selectfont A general output of this research has the potential to become a source of reference by policy makers when it comes to defining the strategies and work plans that will be needed pertaining to the adoption and full deployment of a framework for the adoption of distributed ledger technology/blockchain and the collection of data generated via available sensors for meteorological and oceanographic purposes and data generated from smart sensors embedded in containers. It is expected this research will contribute to expanded business opportunities within the seafood, retail and catering sectors. Another aspect to consider is that the adoption of distributed ledger/blockchain technology can make a contribution to sustainable fishing practices.\par}\par

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