Developing a Land-Based Oceanic Industry in Mauritius
The proposal for the setting up of a Land-based Oceanic Industry (LBOI) lays the foundation of a whole new industry, based on commercial exploitation of the deep Indian Ocean water of our Exclusive Economic Zone. This new industry could generate new wealth from the ocean and provide direct and indirect jobs over the next five years. The products of the new oceanic industrial cluster are aimed mostly at exportation, but will also serve both the tourist and the local market. Furthermore, the business model of the proposed oceanic industry draws on successful technology already in use in Hawaii.
Project Brief
Applications of Deep Sea Water
Deep Sea Desalinated Mineral Water
Other Applications
The Role of the State
Scientific Tests
Research & Development (R&D)
Presentations
Click here for an animated version.
Over 1,000 metres below the surface of the sea, deep currents traval continuallyaround the globe, moving very slowly large masses of water of exceptional quality. Mauritius is ideally positioned to exploit the deep sea water currents as deep waters from the Indian Ocean flow a few kilometres off the coast of the island.
Commercial applications of deep sea water have been around for many years but few countries capitalise on the geographic advantage of being located near the deep sea currents. Hawaii is such a country which is making a thriving world business out of products emanating from applications of deep sea water of the Pacific Ocean. In Hawaii, using a long pipe from the coast to deep waters, cold deep water is pumped onto the shore where a cluster of industries have sprung up to exploit the various applications of deep sea water.
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The picture below shows the various possible ways of exploiting deep sea water in Mauritius. The applications are very wide, ranging from providing bottled drinking water, air conditioning, aquaculture, aquaponics, thallassotherapy, and others. Each application is already being commercialised in a few selective countries and the potential exists for Mauritius to tap into the existing growing world market for organic deep sea water products. It is worthy to note that Bora Bora has recently inaugurated a major thallasotherapy facility as value-addition to its flourishing tourism industry.
The world market for bottled water is 89 billion litres worth over US$ 22 billion annually. It is the most dynamic food and beverage market, steadily growing at a pace of 15% over the last 30 years. The increasingly health conscious market is continuously shifting towards mineral water. Deep seawater is full of healthy minerals. When the salt is extracted, the end product is a very sought after beverage.
The thalassotherapy or spa requires very little investment and is a niche service in great demand by European tourists. The nutrient rich water can also be used for aqua farming. According to FAO, the world market for aquaculture is about US $ 55 billion and growing annually by 10%. As an example, products from seaweeds command a world market of about US$ 250 million, expanding at a rate of 12%. In Ireland alone, the seaweed market is valued at 12 million Euro, providing jobs for thousands.
The coldness of the water can be used for air conditioning of our coastal hotels and other big buildings situated at a reasonable distance from the coastline. Currently air conditioning amounts to 40% of the electricity bill of most hotels. A business model only for hotels located in the Flic-en-Flac area indicates that annually a potential savings of about Rs50 million in electricity bill is possible. This does not take into account the rising cost of fuel.
The innovation in the proposal lies in the manner in which the various applications are integrated such that the resulting system is technologically synergistic and highly profitable, while remaining environment-friendly, and creating significant employment both at the high and low end.
The success of the Mauritian Oceanic Industry will depend on the competitivity of its organic products. The Mauritius brand will play a catalytic role. To that effect, the state will guarantee the quality of all products from the industry. The State, through its stake as provider of the infrastructure can act as franchiser and guarantor of the quality labels of the industry.
With a view to democratising the industry, big, small and medium enterprises could be licensed to commercially exploit the various possibilities of the deep seawater.
Tests carried out has shown that our waters are of the highest purity, free of pathogens, rich in nutrients and with a tempature ranging between 5 to 6 Celcius all year round. Refer to the brochure for more details.
The proposed oceanic industry is a rational and multi-disciplinary system involving science and technology as well as sound entrepreneurship. Its long-term sustainability will depend on constant innovation and diversification onto other applications while capitalising on established markets. Research and development, as well as S & T capacity building, will be key in keeping the industry abreast of and ahead of cutting edge technologies.
12 January 2007: Presentation of the Land-Based Oceanic Industry in the context of the presentation of
the report on 'Promoting Human Resource Development in the Seafood Hub/LBOI' (pdf version)
For more details, please contact:
Dr A Suddhoo
Executive Director
Mauritius Research Council
La Maison de Carné, Royal Road, Rose-Hill.
Tel.: (230) 4651235.
Fax: (230) 465 1239.
Email: mrc@intnet.mu
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