Page 50 - Play Coastal Mississippi - Fall26 - Winter27

VISIT RESPONSIBLY
> USM School of Ocean Science and Engineering vessel
INNOVATION at sea
MISSISSIPPI’S BLUE ECONOMY SURGES
Story by Lynn Lofton
Photos courtesy of Gulf Blue Navigator, USM Gulf Coast Research Laboratory,
& USM School of Ocean Science and Engineering
Being a Coastal location lends itself to recreation, research
and water-based businesses. After all, it’s called the blue
economy. Reports from the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
(GCRL), Gulf Blue Navigator, and USM’s School of Ocean
Science and Engineering are positive.
Established by the state legislature in 1948, GCRL is the
state’s designated marine laboratory. It has grown to one of
the largest marine labs in the Southeast U.S. with more than
200 faculty, staff, and students, according to Kelly Darnell,
PhD and Director. “We have three sites: the Halstead site
and the Cedar Point site, both of which are in Ocean Springs,
and the Point Cadet site in Biloxi, which is where our large
research vessels are docked. GCRL researchers are active and
successful at grantsmanship, bringing in an average of $17-20
million of funding to support research focused on our Coastal
and open ocean,” she said.
Darnell, who is also a professor, is excited about the
construction of the new Oyster Hatchery and Research
Center anticipated to be completed in Fall 2026. “Faculty
and researchers with our Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture
Center will use this facility to produce oyster larvae to support
the state and the blue economy.
“We are also establishing a Living Shoreline at GCRL’s
Marine Education Center that will serve as an educational
tool to demonstrate nature-based solutions to Coastal
challenges,” she added. “Last year, GCRL underwent a master
planning effort to guide future development, resilience,
and sustainability so we can continue to conduct impactful
research, educate across all levels, and meet the state’s needs
for many decades to come.”
Faculty and researchers at GCRL work closely in support of the
blue economy, partnering with Gulf Blue and others aimed at
sustained growth in Mississippi and the northern Gulf.
“Gulf Blue Navigator continues to expand its network of
partners across industry, academia, government, defense,
and economic development,” says Assistant Director Natalie
Guess. “Through our recent Innovation Week and Demo Day
events, we welcomed new connections from the aquaculture,
maritime technology, defense, and investment communities.
“We continue to strengthen relationships with organizations
such as The University of Southern Mississippi, federal
agencies, investors, and regional economic development
partners who are committed to advancing Mississippi’s Blue
Economy.”
50 PLAY COASTAL MISSISSIPPI I OCT 26-MAR 27 COASTALMISSISSIPPI.COM