The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center has launched the marine aquaculture demonstration initiative for economic development. The project is funded by the Gulf of Mexico energy security act (GOMESA).
USM said the initiative is designed to accelerate innovation and workforce development in marine aquaculture on the US Gulf Coast through applied research and hands-on training. Dr. Kelly Lucas, USM vice president for research, stated that the initiative will support the regional "blue economy," create jobs, and increase the availability of seed stock for aquaculture.
A key objective is workforce training. In partnership with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR), the university has launched an advanced seed production training program. The program includes five classroom sessions and two full larval production cycles using a mobile oyster hatchery.
The initiative is also partnering with the Oak Island Oyster Company on a pilot project to demonstrate a scalable, open-water oyster farming system using suspended cages.