Aquaculture Open-Ocean and PolyPondTM Culture

The DragonHeartTM Foundation Aquaculture is comprised of two entirely different systems of raising fish:  The AquaDriftTM  MerFarmTM, which harbors Kona Blues (related to Yellowfin tuna) or other popular finfish that mature to harvest size in these drifting, open-ocean flotillas, and the PolyPondTM Culture which utilizes a pond polyculture comprised of shrimp and tilapia that co-habitate harmoniously. Open-Ocean Aquaculture: The AquaDriftTM MerFarmTM The DragonHeartTM Aquaculture team developed a new concept in open-ocean finfish farming which is called the AquaDriftTM  MerFarmTM, consisting of several AquaDriftTM  units ganged together to form one large AquaDriftTM  MerFarmTM  pod. This is our innovative means of restocking oceans, rivers and bays for the future, with the funds coming from DragonHeartTM  Foundation profits. The AquaDrift MerFarmTM  is a newly-developed, self-contained open-ocean finfish rearing facility (similar to the M.I.T. Sea Grant system photo above) which relies on the natural ocean currents to steer and propel it from one continent to another. It consists of a central spar, or sealed, hollow tube, which houses a small crew, including their provisions, kitchen and hygienic facilities. The spar also contains satellite nav and communications gear, feed for the fish, an onboard DragonHeartTM  Generator, and lastly, a water and concrete ballast to maintain buoyancy and balance. Only the top 12 feet (four meters) of the Pilot house remains above water while in motion. This design has proven to be the safest in rough seas, and can weather even the severest of wind and wave conditions with relative ease because of its submerged cargo and weight, which stabilizes the entire unit. Around the central spar is a tethered, circular net cage, which contains the fish. The top of the cage is attached to the central spar below the waterline, and the lower end of the net cage is attached to the bottom end of the spar, as you can see in the picture (above, right.) For navigational course corrections or for final docking maneuvers, two powerful electrical thrusters are located on the circular frame, powered by a DragonHeartTM Generator. We would initially configure the AquaDriftTM  units minimally into groups of six, thereby creating what we call an AquaDriftTM  MerFarmTM community. This large pod of AquaDriftTM  units will allow the combined crew members to form a seagoing 'family' with which to interact and circumvent boredom on the long voyages. A provisions ship would service this floating community as needed with supplies and fuel for the crew and feed for the fish. They would also provide extra personnel for major repairs, along with parts and special materials and tools, if needed. A typical voyage would begin, for example, off the Florida coast, and proceed eastward across the Atlantic ocean towards the UK or Africa, where it offloads the now-mature fish crop for market, and takes on a new crop of young fish from our fish hatcheries in that area. After a much-needed layover in a coastal city, the AquaDriftTM  crew would then begin their journey back to the US, skirting the northern end of South America on its way back to Florida. A one-way trip would take around 8 to 9 months, depending on the species of fish being delivered. As you can see on the map above, there are many circular current paths for the AquaDriftTM  MerFarmTM to follow all around the world. DragonHeartTM Foundation foresees numerous AquaDriftTM MerFarmTM  re-populating the oceans of the world. In addition to providing fresh, healthy fish for the market, they would also be continuously re-populating the oceans. PolyPondTM Culture Pathogen-free Environment Only the latest, state-of-the-art monitoring and management features will guaranteed a 95% survival rate of larvae and fry. DragonHeartTM Foundation uses a rapid-response pathogen detection, monitoring and control system that virtually eliminates most harmful pathogens within the ponds, and eliminates the need for emergency addition of toxic chemicals to the pond water filtering and purification process. Purified Incoming Water All incoming water is purified without chemicals via the special DragonPipeTM and filters before it enters the PolyPondTM Culture, and all fish waste and pollutants are treated and used as fuel by the Cyclonic Turbo Dryer (CTD.) This assures a very consistent product that is free of chemicals, heavy metals and health-threatening pathogens. Super-oxygenation The DragonHeartTM PolyPondTM Culture's unique super-oxygenated pond system maintains a healthy growing environment, plus the oxygenation gives the fish a cleaner, more robust flavor.   Vertical Integration The DragonHeartTM PolyPondTM Culture is vertically integrated, meaning we design our own facilities (exceeding all ISO 9X standards for safety and health,) grow our own ORGANIC grains to create nutritious feeds for the fish and shrimp, raise, harvest and process the fish and shrimp in our on-site facilities, then package (with or without value-added features) and ship to the marketplace, maintaining absolute quality control throughout the entire process--from start to finish.   ///   Back to Top  : : :  Proceed to Agriculture Page   \\\   ///  Back to Communication Page  \\\