Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center
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About the Center
Driving Directions
The Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center is the centerpiece of the marine aquaculture program of The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) in Ocean Springs, Miss.
- The Board of Trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning approved the name of the new center Oct. 19, 2006.
- The University is investing heavily in marine aquaculture at the GCRL's 224-acre Cedar Point.
Facilities
Current Status
- Five buildings are dedicated to marine aquaculture and include a marine shrimp commercial growout prototype.
- Approximately $20 million is dedicated to construction of facilities on the campus. Potential funding available through the Department of Marine Resources and additional funding requests to the United States Congress more than double that figure.
- A master plan for the Cedar Point Campus was completed in 2004 and includes major facilities for marine aquaculture.
- The Marine Aquaculture Visitor’s Pavilion is currently under construction. The 11,000 sq. ft. facility will house the spotted sea trout aquaculture and stock enhancement program and will provide a platform for demonstrating the principles and potential benefits of marine aquaculture to the lay public.
- An additional six buildings are funded and in various stages of development. These include five buildings for the culture of the marine organisms cobia (Rachycentron canadum), red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus), striped bass (Morone saxitilis), blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) and possibly others.
- The planned and funded buildings also include a 27,000 sq. ft. office and laboratory building that will support marine aquaculture and fisheries research.
- Slide Show: Development of Cedar Point
Driving Directions to the Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center, Ocean Springs, Miss.
Traveling east on I-10, take Ocean Springs Exit #50 (Hwy. 609) and follow Hwy. 609 (Washington Avenue) about 3 miles to U.S. 90. Turn left on U.S. 90; go approximately 3 miles on U.S. 90. Just past the shopping center on the right (with Checkers, Sav-A-Center and America's Thrift Store), watch for the Gulf Islands National Seashore brown highway sign on the right. Turn right on to Park Road (you will see the large National Park Service sign after you turn). Continue on Park Road to the second left (Gollott Road). Turn left on Gollott Road. The entrance is the first left on Gollott Road.
If you are traveling west on I-10, take the Ocean Springs Exit #57; turn left (south) and follow Hwy. 57 to U.S. 90. Turn right on U.S. 90. Go about 3.4 miles and watch for the Gulf Islands National Seashore brown highway sign. Turn left on to Park Road (you will see the large National Park Service sign after you turn). Continue on Park Road to the second left (Gollott Road). Turn left on Gollott Road. The entrance is the first left on Gollott Road.
Related Programs
Blue Crab Advanced Research Consortium (BCARC)
A consortium of the GCRL and five other institutions
http://www.umbi.umd.edu/~comb/programs/aquaculture/bcarc.html
NOAA Aquaculture Information Center
For basic information regarding aquaculture and national programs
http://www.lib.noaa.gov/docaqua/frontpage.htm
U.S. Marine Shrimp Farming Program
A consortium of the GCRL and six other institutions
http://www.usmsfp.org/
