Development of the floating structure for the ocean nutrient enhancer "TAKUMI"

Ocean nutrient enhancer "TAKUMI" was developed to generate new fishery grounds by harnessing deep ocean water (DOW). "TAKUMI" is a floating device to make the euphotic zone more fertile with phytoplankton by emitting nutrient-dense DOW up welled from 200 m depth. The floating structure of "TAKUMI" was designed and built by IHI Marine United Inc. and moored at Sagami bay in May 2003, and its performance is being monitored. Technical issues and solutions are discussed for developing the floating structure of "TAKUMI".