Buoy Gets a Name
By Jody Record, Media Relations
August 8, 2007
The big buoy finally has a name.
A contest launched earlier this year by UNH’s Atlantic Marine
Aquaculture Center to name its 80-ton fish feeding buoy has chosen the
new moniker: AquaManna.
The winning entry was submitted by Peg Boyles, a writer with UNH Cooperative
Extension.
“The word manna has a lot of resonance. Of course, we know it
from its biblical context as the miracle food said to sustain the Israelites
during their Exodus from Egypt. Paired with aqua, it plays on the name
of the aquatic superhero Aquaman, who can breathe underwater, swim at
high speeds, perform tremendous feats of strength and endurance, survive
the tremendous pressures of the ocean depths, and communicate telepathically
with all the creatures of the sea,” Boyles said.
AquaManna, previously referred to as SBIR for Small Business Innovation
Research, holds 20 tons of food. Shaped like a huge pill box, it has
four internal silos making it possible to feed four different species
at a time.
The new feeder was designed at UNH and built in Canada. Its permanent
home will be at UNH’s offshore fish farm located near the Isles
of Shoals’ White Island. The remote controlled buoy eliminates
feeding problems caused by storms and frigid temperatures.
“What a thrill to have come up with the winning name. And what
a prize--a trip on the UNH research vessel this fall and a few pounds
of fresh cod from the farm,” Boyles said.
More than 50 entries were submitted. Some of the other suggestions include
Fat Buoy, Buoy-O-Buoy, Jonah, Moby Dick, Big Bertha and Seymour.
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