1. Inspection Key Points

1.1 Regular Appearance and Structural Inspection (Recommended: once a week; once every 3 days in harsh environments)

• Housing and Sealing Performance: Check if the camera housing has cracks, deformation, or wear. Focus on inspecting whether the lens cover and interface gaskets (e.g., power interface, data transmission interface) are aged, damaged, or loose. If the gaskets are hardened or wrinkled, replace them immediately to prevent water from seeping into the device and causing short circuits.
• Lens Cleanliness: Inspect the lens surface for biofouling (e.g., algae, shellfish, sludge), scale, or scratches. Lens contamination directly affects imaging clarity and requires timely cleaning; if scratches on the lens affect the image, replace the lens or lens protector.
• Fixing Devices: Ensure that the camera bracket and cable fixing clips are secure to prevent the camera from shifting, tilting, or falling due to water flow impact or cage shaking. Check if the cables are damaged or aged, especially the insulation layer at the connection between the cable and the camera. If exposure is found, repair or replace immediately.

1.2 Function and Performance Inspection (Recommended: once every two weeks, synchronized with cleaning)

• Imaging Quality: View real-time images through the background monitoring system to confirm if the images are clear, colors are normal, and there are no freezes, screen glitches, or blackouts. Compare images from different time periods to check for imaging deviations caused by lens contamination or equipment failure.
• Parameter Stability: Check if the camera’s night vision function (if available), infrared fill light intensity, frame rate, resolution, and other parameters are normal. For example, if there is a large area of noise in the image in night vision mode, it may be due to infrared lamp failure or lens contamination, requiring targeted investigation.
• Data and Power Supply: Confirm stable data transmission (e.g., real-time upload of video signals and sensor data) and that the power voltage and current are within the device’s rated range. If data interruption or unstable power supply occurs, check if the cables, power adapters, or data transmission modules are faulty.

1.3 Underwater Environment Adaptability Inspection (Recommended: once a month, adjusted according to the aquaculture cycle)

• Corrosion Resistance: For seawater aquaculture, check if the anti-corrosion coating on the camera housing is peeling off and if metal components (e.g., brackets, screws) are rusted. If rust is severe, replace components with corrosion-resistant materials (e.g., 316L stainless steel, titanium alloy parts).
• Biofouling Resistance Check: Observe if there is heavy biofouling (e.g., barnacles, bryozoans) on the device surface. Such fouling increases the device’s load, affects heat dissipation, and may block sensor interfaces. A cleaning plan (e.g., deep fouling removal once a month) should be developed in advance.

2. Protection Key Points

2.1 Sealing Protection: Core Measures to Prevent Water Leakage

• Regular Replacement of Seals: Vulnerable seals such as lens cover gaskets and interface O-rings should be replaced every 3–6 months (every 3 months in seawater environments, every 6 months in freshwater environments). When replacing, apply special waterproof grease (e.g., silicone-based grease) to the seal surface to enhance sealing performance.
• Device Water Ingress Alarm: Prioritize cameras with a "water ingress detection function". If the device triggers a water ingress alarm, immediately cut off the power, remove the device, dry the internal moisture, inspect the fault point, and conduct a pressure test (e.g., simulating 10 meters underwater pressure) after repair. Reinstall the device only after confirming no leakage.

2.2 Corrosion and Biofouling Protection

• Material Adaptation: Select cameras with appropriate materials based on the aquaculture water body:
  • For seawater environments, choose 316L stainless steel housings + reinforced glass lenses; avoid ordinary carbon steel or 304 stainless steel (easily corroded by seawater).
  • For freshwater environments, engineering plastic housings (e.g., ABS + anti-corrosion coating) can be used to reduce costs while ensuring durability.
• Biofouling Prevention:
  • Short-term prevention: Apply eco-friendly anti-biofouling coatings (e.g., food-grade silicone coatings) to the camera housing and lens cover surface to reduce algae and shellfish fouling. Reapply the coating every 2–3 months.
  • Long-term protection: For aquaculture cycles exceeding 6 months, install low-power ultrasonic anti-fouling devices around the camera (ensure the devices have no impact on aquaculture organisms). Ultrasonic vibration inhibits biofouling.

2.3 Physical Protection and Environmental Adaptation

• Impact and Collision Prevention: In cage aquaculture, install a protective mesh cover (e.g., stainless steel mesh with an aperture ≤ 5cm) around the camera to prevent aquaculture organisms (e.g., fish, shrimp) from colliding with the device or cage ropes from tangling it. For shallow water areas, prevent accidental impact from ships or aquaculture tools (e.g., fishing nets) by installing warning signs around the bracket.
• Environmental Adaptability Protection:
  • Low-temperature environments (e.g., freshwater aquaculture in northern winter): Select cameras with a "low-temperature start function". If the water may freeze, install the camera 1 meter below the ice layer to prevent the device from cracking due to freezing.
  • High-turbidity water bodies (e.g., estuaries, muddy sea areas): Equip the camera with an "automatic lens cleaning brush" to clean sludge from the lens surface regularly (e.g., every 2 hours) and ensure clear imaging.

2.4 Daily Usage Protection

• Standardized Operation: Handle the camera gently when removing or installing it to avoid pulling the cables. When cutting off power, first turn off the background system, then disconnect the power supply to prevent current surges from damaging the device.
• Backup Plan: It is recommended to prepare 1–2 backup cameras. If the main device fails, the backup can be quickly replaced to avoid affecting aquaculture monitoring. Store backup devices in a dry, well-ventilated environment and conduct power-on tests regularly (once a month) to ensure they are ready for use at any time.

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