Innovations in the Field of Marine Technology

The study of “marine species in their natural habitat” and their behaviors in relation to their “interactions with the environment” is one of the broad fields of oceanography (Dhull et al. 101). My area of concern in aquatic biology has been environmental biology, with an emphasis on the improvement of marine habitats. Several advances in the field of marine biology have arisen as a result of the many experiments undertaken on a daily basis and the increased need by scientists to protect the aquatic ecosystem. This paper will concentrate on one of the leading advances in marine biology, as well as the problems and methods taken by my organization in relation to the technology.

Background

In the field of marine biology, my area of interest has been in the environmental biology with a focus on the improvement of marine ecosystems. Several innovations have occurred in the field of marine biology due to the numerous studies conducted regularly and increased need by scientist to preserve the aquatic environment. This paper will focus on one of the leading innovations in marine biology and the challenges and approaches followed by my company appertaining to the technology.

Background

In the study of marine biology, there have been numerous innovations aimed at improving and preservation of aquatic life. It is quite a privilege getting involved in such inventions based on the diverse experiences and challenges that are involved. One of the innovations is the development of the “Aquapod” which has been identified as a leading process in ocean farming while preserving the natural habitats of the aquatic life(Molnar and Toal 8). The Aquapod is an invention that came about based on the need by scientist to facilitate deep sea and ocean fishing while making sure the fish remain in their natural habitat. The Aquapod comprises a cage with a minimum diameter of 6.7 meters where the farmers keep their fish, and the Aquapod cage remains in the ocean or sea water to drift while tied to a vessel for regular towing.

Problems Involved and Possible Solutions

In the innovation of Aquapod technology, there were several challenges involved like every other project. However, in this case, the difficulties encountered were based on proof of concept where there were issues raised were based on the efficiency of the technique invented(Dhull et al. 3). One of the principal concern is the issue of pollution. Introduction of materials in the ocean and sea waters has the effect of causing contamination as a result of breaking down of compounds mainly due to the alkaline levels of the ocean and sea water. The problem that came up involved identification of materials for the assembly of parts for the Aquapod that would be environmentally friendly and have minimal effect on the aquatic ecosystem. Part of the challenge involved finding the materials for use and making sure they would be readily available as a measure to minimize the costs and make them affordable to later introduce to deep-sea fish farmers as an alternative(Carlson and Papanikolopoulos 4591). The concerns were addressed through the use of light readily available durable materials with a heavy coat in the assembly of the mesh.

Another issue of concern in the innovation of Aquapod was the concern for escapement and unproportioned feeding ratios, especially for the carnivorous fish. The problem of escapement was tackled and sufficiently addressed in the design of the mesh to ensure they are not susceptible to damages in case of strong waves and other factors in the sea and ocean(Page 223). The other concern for feeding ratios of the carnivorous fish involved prolonged researches and experiments on the best feeding habits of these fish to ensure proper feeding patterns are established to improve the optimum growth and cost of the farming process.

Issues Debated in the Innovation Process

In the course of the project, several concerns came about that needed extensive dialogues and comparison of notes to ensure the invention was a success and minimize any overhead costs on the project. One of the issues debated lengthily is the manner in which the Aquapods would be monitored and operate in the open ocean waters(Dhull et al. 103). The concern by the members of the project is the threat posed by the unpredictable ocean waters. The discussion mentioned the possibility of attaching the Aquapod in a state where they will be fixed in one position. However, there were several dissenting opinions to this view based on the understanding that, by placing the Aquapod at a fixed location in the ocean waters, this will deny the fish the ability to maneuver in the ocean water despite the mesh that keeps them enclosed(DeCew et al. 3). The majority view revolved around the recommendation that there should be a tracking system involved while the mesh is allowed to move freely adrift in the ocean.

Effect of the Innovation on the Field of Study and the Industry

The introduction of Aquapod technology to the field of marine biology is a huge step in the positive direction. The effect of this invention to the field of study was a challenging based on the unique concept involved. One can summarize the experience as a transformation in the understanding the steps involved in providing marine biology related solutions to problems in the management of aquatic life(Carlson and Papanikolopoulos 4589). Additionally, there was a similar effect in the industry. The innovation opened a door for the cooperation between the farmers and the marine life conservationists. The discovery has provided a safer solution in the field of ocean fish farming where there can be proper monitoring of aquatic life while providing a sustainable alternative fish farming at affordable costs with minimum overhead costs involved.

Methods of Implementation

Roll out phase of the project involved the introduction of a design plan that caters to all the dynamics of the farmer’s based on the size and intended output. The implementation will include the partnership between the company and the deep-sea fish farmers to ensure there are proper training and a support structure in the management of the Aquapods(Dhull et al. 104). The proposed plan entails design of Aquapods of 28 meters in diameter which will comfortably house around 2000 “hatchery-reared kampachi fingerlings.”

Work Cited

Carlson, Andrew, and Nikos Papanikolopoulos. “Aquapod: Prototype Design of an Amphibious Tumbling Robot.” Robotics and Automation (ICRA), 2011 IEEE International Conference On, IEEE, 2011, pp. 4589–4594.

DeCew, Judson, et al. “Tow Test Results of an AquaPod Fish Cage.” OCEANS 2006, IEEE, 2006, pp. 1–6.

Dhull, Sandeep, et al. “Aquapod: A Small Amphibious Robot with Sampling Capabilities.” Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS), 2012 IEEE/RSJ International Conference On, IEEE, 2012, pp. 100–105.

Molnar, Levente, and Daniel Toal. “A Control System Development for Submersible Sea Cage System.” OCEANS 2007, IEEE, 2007, pp. 1–11.

Page, Stephen H. “Aquapod Systems Aquaculture Aquapod Systems for Sustainable Ocean Aquaculture Aquaculture.” Sustainable Food Production, Springer, 2013, pp. 223–235.