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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=516145619-26062001>I am not a coral
researcher. I address this list on the advice of a member of the list. I am a
physiologist living on the island of Dominica (not to be confused for the
Dominican Republic). I am concerned about a business that has been established
on Dominica and seek advice about the hazards it presents, if any, and what
actions might be appropriate.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=516145619-26062001></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=516145619-26062001>Advanced Marine
Technologies describes itself as culturing coral primarily for use in
restoration of damaged reefs and secondarily for sale to aquarium owners. They
are, at least, successfully maintaining numerous species of coral obtained both
from local reefs and from the South Pacific. The corals obtained from the South
Pacific, and their possible pathogens, are the source of my
concern.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV class=Section1>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=516145619-26062001>The
design of the facility is as follows: Seawater from Prince Rupert's Bay is
circulated through a large tank - possibly in the neighborhood of 50,000 liters.
This tank contains mixed local corals. From this tank water is circulated to,
perhaps, 15 or 20 small tanks each of which contains an single species of coral.
Some of these species are from the South Pacific. Water being returned to the
large tank is treated with ultraviolet light. There is no provision for removing
particulates, which might be resistant to UV treatment, from the return flow.
The water in the tanks appeared clear, and I was assured that the flow through
the tanks is stopped when the tanks are cleaned in order to prevent return of
particulates. I have some doubts about what happens when flow is
restored.</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=516145619-26062001>Effluent from the large tank is returned to Prince
Rupert's Bay. In principle, the effluent is treated with ozone. However, on a
recent day, the ozone treatment was down and the plant was still returning water
to the Caribbean.</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=516145619-26062001>With
the exception of Haiti, Dominica is the poorest country in the Western
Hemisphere, and I do not wish to make myself unwelcome in this lovely, friendly
place by causing unwarranted trouble for even a small industry. (The banana
economy of these 70,000 people has been destroy by a U.S. decision to force
the British Commonwealth to stop subsidizing Dominican bananas.) However, I feel
obliged to inquire as to the risks Advanced Marine Technologies presents, and
for example, what international treaties might be relevant to its operation. For
some time prior to finding the ozone treatment down, I have had concerns about
the level of training of the personnel who operate the plant, and about the
ability of the government of this small place to regulate such a
facility.</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=516145619-26062001></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoPlainText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS Mincho'">***************
A journey of a thousand steps... ***************</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS Mincho'"> <?xml:namespace
prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"
/><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS Mincho'">David
Vogel<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 2">
</SPAN>Home: 1-767-445-3598<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS Mincho'">Ross
University<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 2">
</SPAN>Office: 1-767-445-5355 ext. 287<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS Mincho'">P.O.
Box 266<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 2">
</SPAN>FAX: 1-767-445-3457<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS Mincho'">Portsmouth<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>E-mail:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>dvogel@rossmed.edu.dm<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS Mincho'">Commonwealth
of Dominica</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoPlainText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS Mincho'"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoPlainText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'MS Mincho'">****************
...doesn't get you the first mile. ***************</SPAN></P></DIV>
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