Page 98 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2026

Mississippi’s Blue Economy Surges
Being a coastal location lends itself to recreation, research and water-based businesses. Overall, 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
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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.”
The fourth Gulf Blue Navigator cohort focused on Living Shorelines and Coastal Resilience and welcomed six innovative companies working to address coastal and environmental challenges. “In addition, our alumni portfolio continues to grow as companies establish operations, secure funding, and expand their presence in Mississippi. Since the program's inception,
24 companies have completed the accelerator, with 17 now operating or maintaining a presence in Mississippi,” she added.
Guess sees more interest in the Blue Economy as it continues www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
story by Lynn Lofton
USM School of Ocean Science and Engineering vessel