Waterloo Architecture
7 Melville Street South
Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
N1S 2H4
architecture@uwaterloo.ca
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Of the thesis entitled: Farming the High Seas: An adaptive approach for the inhabitation of oceanic recirculation gyres
Ocean management authorities predict that global fish stocks will be severely depleted by mid-century unless commercial fishing practices are greatly modified. This thesis considers aquatic architecture in general, and explores in particular an experimental design for floating colonies that follow oceanic circulation gyres for the development and management of high sea fisheries. Because these colonies would be isolated from other human communities for much of the time, they would need to be capable of being self-sustaining. The colonies could provide all of their own power, shelter, food and water, but they have been designed to generate a surplus of energy and protein. In the interest of diversifying the resources available to their inhabitants and reducing pressure on wild fish stocks and non-renewable energy sources, the colonies could trade fish and power with coastal nations as they travel around the gyres. Geopolitical ramifications of High Seas inhabitation are also considered.
A range of books, journals, websites and documentaries were studied in order to gain a broad understanding of the historical, ecological, and political context of drifting High Seas resource and research stations. The design of the structures presented is informed by environmental factors such as wavelengths in stormy weather; psychological and physiological concerns such as isolation from society, exposure to an extreme and highly changeable environment, fish behaviour and nutritional requirements of aquatic species at various trophic levels. The location of the project has been chosen based on current and historical environmental and political conditions such as fish migration patterns and the slow rate of change for international law.
The examining committee is as follows:
Supervisor:
Elizabeth English, University of Waterloo
Committee Members:
Terri Boake, University of Waterloo
Simon Courtenay
External Reader:
Margaret Ikeda
The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.
The Defence Examination will take place: April 23, 2020, 1:00pm, closed defence.
Waterloo Architecture
7 Melville Street South
Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
N1S 2H4
architecture@uwaterloo.ca
Contact Waterloo Architecture
Support Waterloo Architecture
Tours and directions
Provide Website Feedback
Musagetes Library
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Indigenous Initiatives Office.