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.
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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