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 | | From: | Ed Earl Ross | | Subject: | Equatorial Marine Eco-park | | Date: | Mon, 24 Jan 2005 01:31:42 GMT |
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 | This email describes a plan is to build a marine fishery and
tourism destination, near the equator in a marine desert.
A platform, similar to a deep-sea oil platform must be built. It
generates power from the difference between cold-deep and
warm-surface water temperatures. An Ocean Thermal Energy Converter
(OTEC) [1] pumps vast quantities of cold, nutrient rich, water from
below 3000 feet (900 m) to the surface. The OTEC generates power
and spills the nutrient rich water into the mid-ocean desert,
making phytoplankton bloom.
Phytoplankton are the bottom of a marine food chain. These blooms
will attract filter feeders of all sizes. In turn the filter
feeders attract other predators. The nutrients will create an ocean
fishery--a marine oasis. The initial investment in a platform and
OTEC, also creates a business opportunity that can become an
economic oasis.
The platform will provide floor space and community services for
shops and other businesses, and the OTEC will supply power for all.
Every business must rent space and buy power from the platform
owner, or they can be owned and managed by the platform owner.
The platform provides for various businesses, such as a hotel,
restaurant, dive shop, boat rental, and underwater ocean views from
a dry observatory or swimming experience.
The platform must allow transportation for a ferry, a helicopter,
and small boats. A ferry need not have safe harbor, as doldrums
frequent equatorial seas. A ferry provides a flow of people and
cargo with nearby shore. A helicopter landing pad is essential for
emergencies and may be used for transportation. Small fishing and
tourism boats need a safe harbor, whatever sea condition. Thus, the
platform must support a sea level breakwater, artificial cove, and
docks for small boats. The seawall serves dual purpose, because it
is shelter for some small fish. In addition, underwater structural
supports may be decorated with a coral reef motif.
Being a fishery, this platform can be an international or national
asset, partly depending on its location. The theme park may be run
by either a corporation or a nation. Thus, it may be run similar to
either a Sea World or a national park.
Have I missed something that makes this a totally stupid idea?
[1] /The Millennial Project/ by Marshall T. Savage, Chapter 1.
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