Sustainable Marine Resources
We are involved in the development of marine technologies that lead to
the practical and beneficial use of resources from the ocean. Such resources include marine biota (fish for
consumption and plants for pharmaceutical and other uses), energy (from wind,
waves, marine currents, tides, salinity gradients, and temperature gradients),
coastal and marine environments (for industrial and recreational use), and use
of the ocean for transport, shipping and as repository of carbon to control the
climate. The program gathers together
researchers from several disciplines to undertake a series of projects that aim
to develop technologies that can be commercialized and used to exploit marine
resources in a sustainable manner.
PROJECTS
The Sustainable Ocean Resources Program will encompass several projects
that address the need for innovation and technology development. These are listed as follows:
Project 1: Ocean
Energy Conversion
Both core and facilitating technologies for energy conversion will be
developed and supplied to commercial markets to accelerate the growing ocean
energy industry. This provides a
pollution free source of energy for the future. Engineering systems, test
facilities, diagnostic equipment, and expert technical services will be developed
and offered to firms aiming to utilize ocean energy (from wind, waves, marine
currents, tides, salinity gradients, and temperature gradients) in electrical
conversion systems and desalination projects.
Project 2: Sustainable
Fish Production
Various technologies will be developed to allow fish to be sustainably farmed in the marine environment. Low frequency
acoustic fish stock assessments techniques will be developed with liaison with
the international program Census of Marine
Life. We will assess new technologies for observing marine life, including
satellite remote sensing of phytoplankton distributions, measuring fish stocks
and tracking marine mammals. Technical development will include monitoring systems,
specialized equipment and a means for delivery solutions to commercial
developers
Project 3: Ocean
Alkalinity Modification
Rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are threatening rapid
climate change and increased acidity of the world oceans. Techniques to
increase the alkalinity of the ocean will be taken to proof of concept using
EO&S technology and certification procedures.
Project 4: Ocean
Nourishment
This project will investigate and trial the practice of supplying
nutrients to the ocean to stimulate phytoplankton production and enhance
fisheries. The process also has the
effect of irreversibly absorbing carbon dioxide into from the atmosphere into
the ocean, thereby reducing greenhouse gases.
EO&S holds patents that allow the sale of carbon credits. At the
present price of carbon credits the economics are very favorable.
Project 5: Coastal and
Ocean Infrastructure Management
Technologies and tools will be developed to better plan and manage
coastal and offshore infrastructure. For
example, the prospect of building large coastal desalination plants in
Project 6:
Recognizance of the Continental Shelf
While legally under control of the littoral state, little is known about
the geomorphology of the continental slope. Legal issues from the UN Law of the
Seas about the EEZ and policy issues concerning the legal responsibility of
fish farmers will be addressed. Mapping of the geomorphology of the continental
slope will form the basis for resource evaluation.
Project 7; Public
Outreach
The use of the ocean is often misunderstood by the public. Deep Ocean
Quest operates a 56 meter ocean research vessel to support a program of
involving the public and in particular high school children in ocean
exploration. Program members will join
with Ocean Quest in a program of public outreach.
Short courses for practicing professionals will be provided to produce
income and to disseminate the findings of the program.