*********** +++++++++++++++++++++ 052296A.ENG + Source: ONR Asia + *********** +++++++++++++++++++++ Contributory Categories: BIO Country: Japan From: STA Today April 1996 v. 8, no. 4 cover page KEYWORDS: Japan; Abalone Mariculture, Artificial Sea Floor, Offshore Platform +++++ Brief cover story description of the completion of the artificial sea floor platform. (See earlier message 1992). It is surface that can be lowered from the surface and raised back again. The initial tests will be for abalone culture, but any sea bottom engineering tests might be conducted on a similar one, such as corrosion, biofouling etc. This model only goes 7 meters down, so diver observations can be conducted easily. Most likely initial commercial use would be for mariculture for high yield sea food like abalone. ************** End Msg. A.ENG **************