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The Gulf Marine Institute of Technology (GMIT), a non-profit organization working to develop commercial seafood/fish farming in the U.S., is to receive upwards of $250,000 of fish farming equipment from a Japanese community as a donation to support the efforts. We thought this to be relevant to the NutraFoodies Online audience, please see the following news release for more information, or visit www.gmitinfo.com for photos.

Japan Donates Equipment for Gulf Offshore Seafood-Farming Research

Research group seeks U.S. support

Galveston, Texas-September 16, 2002-The Gulf Marine Institute of Technology (GMIT), a pioneering nonprofit research institute in Texas, formed to study and implement technologies to grow native Gulf fish, today announced that it is to receive equipment donations valued at over $250,000 from Japan to support the initial research and development phase of an offshore, integrated, commercial sea-farming industry.

Once successful, the project could help diversify U.S. food dependence from land-based food production to marine farming and create thousands of needed coastal jobs and marine educational opportunities.

Represented by Mayor Tohru Gambara, the island city of Okushiri, Japan, donated five Bridgestone, 60-foot-square sea cages with netting systems, valued at over $250,000 for GMIT's research project to grow fish around within its four-platform research project site located 10 miles off Port O'Connor, Texas.

"We are excited to see the potential development of native Gulf species and open-sea aquaculture technology in the Gulf of Mexico," said Dr. Phillip G. Lee of GMIT's partner, The University of Texas Medical Branch's (UTMB) Department of Human Biological Chemistry and Genetics.

"With Okushiri's gift and additional funding, this research effort could provide a template for an industry of offshore cage operations using decommissioned oil production platforms-as a safe, self-contained sea-farming operation in the open ocean."

GMIT intends to modify proven Norwegian and Japanese sea-farming technologies to raise fast-growing Gulf species for domestic consumption. The researchers are currently growing a large number of Cobia in Galveston in recirculating seawater tank systems, which can grow from 16 to 22 pounds in 12 months, according to recent research conducted by the University of Texas.

It is the belief of GMIT that the development of U.S. marine farming could potentially offset the $9 billion U.S. trade deficit created from importing fishery products.

"We are currently seeking support from both U.S. governmental, corporate, and private sources which will allow us to move forward with our collective goals to establish finfish mariculture in the Gulf of Mexico," GMIT President John Ericsson said.

"Countries like Norway, Greece, and Japan have funded their own research and development efforts to successfully establish systems and technology for creating a sustainable, multi-billion sea-farming industry. In these times of fear and being prepared for war, we need to develop tools for peace and national food security using our vast marine resources."

GMIT has been researching and acquiring the necessary permits and assets for six years and is ready to launch the first phase of its internationally-sponsored sea-farming project in 2002 starting with cobia (lemon fish).

GMIT currently owns the largest platform complex in Texas state waters that is permitted for "mariculture" purposes, and expects the delivery of the donated equipment from Okushiri, Japan, in September.

About the Gulf Marine Institute of Technology

Founded in 1995, the Gulf Marine Institute of Technology (GMIT) is a 501 (c) (3), nonprofit research institute working to validate the concept for growing native finfish and cleansing mollusks (oysters) within their natural Gulf of Mexico environment. To date, GMIT has acquired over $6.2 million in equipment and assets consisting of a four-platform offshore complex, various vessels, and sea cages for its research and development activities. To learn more visit us on the Web at www.gmitinfo.com.

About BioMarine Technologies, Inc.

Since 1989, BioMarine Technologies, Inc has been developing technologies for growing native finfish and cleansing mollusks (oysters) in the Gulf of Mexico by either converting existing oil and gas production platforms or designing special patented sea-farming systems known as the Sea Trek Ocean Farming and Sea Star Oyster Relay systems. It is the mission of BioMarine Technologies, Inc., to build a premier national, brand name seafood production company known for its guaranteed high-quality and freshness and technology that can help feed the world. To learn more visit us on the Web at www.biomarineinfo.com.

Jennifer Pflugfelder
602.499.1165

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