Groundbreaking on New Marine Research Center in Gulfport

Construction began on the new marine research center at the Port of Gulfport today. Officials gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off the new facility.
To date, we’ve explored less than five percent of the ocean, this according to the National Ocean Service. The new marine research center is diving into the endless wonders of the Gulf of Mexico, allowing Gulfport to become an epicenter for ocean science and technology. USM Vice President of Research Gordon Cannon said, “One of the big things about the ocean is most of the interesting stuff is way deep. You have to build things that can operate way deep.”
Digging deeper into their partnership with the Port of Gulfport, University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Ocean Science and Technology will have a new home. The new facility will contain both laboratory and classroom space. USM, port, Gulfport and state officials grabbed shovels for the facility groundbreaking ceremony at the port. Port of Gulfport Executive Director Jonathan Daniels said, “We are educating the future researchers, those that may have the opportunity to live in Gulfport.”
USM’s marine research vessel, the Point Sur, provides valuable hands-on experience for students studying oceanography. The new center will stand less than 200 yards away from the vessel, aiding in ocean research, critical to dealing with major events that have impacted Coast waters like the BP oil spill. Governor Phil Bryant said, “After the spill, we were very concerned about what this water is going to look like 50 years from now. The team that will be here at University of Southern Mississippi Research Center will be able to tell us the effects that it’s having and how we might be able to adapt to that.”
Officials say the center is going to be about 18,000 feet with the front of it facing Highway 90. Officials say it’s planned to be finished in the first quarter of 2018.
With construction beginning on the center, officials say there’s talk about adding even more vessels to USM’s program, growing marine research for our community, the state and beyond. “Often times people think it’s on a regional basis we have an impact, but this is truly a global and a world class program,” said Daniels.