Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
Read Hendon, Associate Director
703 East Beach Dr.
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
228.818.8804
The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) is located in Ocean Springs, Miss. It is the home of a summer field program in the marine sciences that has operated continuously since 1947. The 50-acre site is also home to the Division of Coastal Sciences, the Center for Fisheries Research and Development, the Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center, the Marine Education Center and the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium. Approximately 200 faculty, technical personnel, support staff and students work at the GCRL.
Center for Fisheries Research and Development
Jill Hendon, Interim Director
703 East Beach Dr.
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
228.872.4242
The Center for Fisheries Research and Development addresses fisheries issues important to Mississippi and the Gulf of Mexico region. Focusing on fisheries, habitats and invasive species, fisheries center scientists work closely with marine resource users and managers in conducting research and putting new knowledge and skills to use. The Center’s scientists fill roles as leaders in charting directions for future research strategies and as sources of accurate and timely information needed for resource management plans based on scientific findings.
Marine Education Center
Christopher Snyder, Director
703 East Beach Dr.
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
228.818.8096
The Marine Education Center is the education and outreach arm of the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory and endeavors to enlighten the citizenry to produce a cadre of well informed and knowledgeable stewards of our coastal ecosystems. The Center supports a career based working environment utilizing formal, non-formal, free-choice learning and higher education strategies focusing on the coastal ecosystems of the north-central Gulf of Mexico to promote careers in marine science and foster community involvement.
Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center
Kelly Lucas, Director
103 McIlwain Drive
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
228.818.8026
The University of Southern Mississippi’s Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center is a leader in the development of intensive, low-water use, high bio-security culture of marine species for consumption and enhancing native populations. The nearly 100,000 sq. ft. of research and development capacity provides state of the art facilities for studies and graduate education opportunities.
Center for Gulf Studies
The Center for Gulf Studies located at the Stennis Space Center, serves as a focal point for new, long-term research and socioeconomic initiatives along the northern Gulf of Mexico. The Center staff seek sound, comprehensive science and technology-based understanding of chronic and acute stressors, both anthropogenic and natural, on the dynamic and productive waters and habitats of the northern Gulf of Mexico and seek to facilitate sustainable use of the Gulf’s important resources. The Center is externally funded through research projects from state and federal agencies.
Hydrographic Science Research Center
The Hydrographic Science Research Center, located within the Department of Marine Science at Stennis Space Center, is the research compliment to the academic program in hydrographic science. Under the sponsorship of various government and commercial activities, its externally funded research has assessed emerging trends in the science of hydrography, developed innovative techniques and technologies capturing these trends, and implemented these techniques and technologies into hydrographic operations.
Marine Research Center
The Marine Research Center located at the entrance to the Port of Gulfport provides shoreside support to USM’s 135-foot oceanographic research vessel, the R/V Point Star, and to a number of academic programs. Encompasssing nearly 18, 000 square feet, this unique building serves as the principal marine operations and support facility for the University’s oceanographic reseach efforts. The facility includes classrooms, laboratories, an 8-foot-deep in-ground testing tank, and adminstrative offices.
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