What do you want to do?
Blue economy careers come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you see yourself on a boat, in a lab, or behind a computer—or all three!—the sea is the limit in these featured jobs.
Blue economy careers come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you see yourself on a boat, in a lab, or behind a computer—or all three!—the sea is the limit in these featured jobs.
Ocean Aero Chief of Staff Keith Blystone gives viewers a tour of its Triton manufacturing facility in Gulfport, Mississippi, describing the STEM jobs the company has brought to the area. Located in Gulfport, Ocean Aero creates, manufactures, and distributes advanced unmanned ocean systems technology. Its signature product—The Triton—is the world’s first and only environmentally-powered Autonomous Underwater and Surface Vehicle (AUSV).
French Hermit Oyster Co. founder Mike Arguelles discusses the off-bottom method of raising Gulf of Mexico oysters utilized by area farmers. French Hermit sells its products to restaurants and private consumers, part of a growing aquaculture industry in coastal Mississippi. Learn more and find out where to buy at https://frenchhermitoyster.co/
Gary Pitcovich, Deputy Director of Operations with the Mississippi State Port Authority, discusses logistics and related careers at the Port of Gulfport that are critical to Mississippi and the nation. Learn more about the Port of Gulfport at https://shipmspa.com/
Sandra Bilbo, the Special Programs & Communications Manager at the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR), describes her job educating the public about unique coastal habitats and ongoing efforts to conserve them. The NERR is comprised of approximately 18,000 acres and contains pine savannas, salt marshes, salt pannes, bays, and bayous as well as terrestrial habitats that are unique to the coastal zone.
Dr. Gero Nootz, Assistant Professor and Undergraduate Program Coordinator in Ocean Engineering at the School of Ocean Science and Engineering (SOSE) at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), is an engineer who researches the best use of optical instruments on small autonomous/uncrewed marine vessels.
Angelos Apeitos and Megan Gima work as the Finfish Hatchery Manager and Oyster Hatchery Manager at the Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center (TCMAC) at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM). Over 90% of the seafood Americans eat is imported from other countries’ aquaculture industries. Angelos and Megan discuss TCMAC’s mission to support U.S. aquaculture growers by researching best practices while also working to restore fish and oyster populations in the northern Gulf.
Dr. Kristina Mojica, Assistant Professor in the Division of Marine Science in the School of Ocean Science and Engineering (SOSE) at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), is a biological oceanographer who researches how microbes—specifically viruses in the water—impact the larger marine ecosystem.
Dr. Kim de Mutsert, Assistant Professor in the Division of Coastal Sciences in the School of Ocean Science and Engineering (SOSE) at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), explains the field of ecological modeling—or how scientists use computers to model ecological patterns—and her lab’s research on the response of fish populations in the northern Gulf of Mexico to ecological stressors like pollution, hypoxia, freshwater discharge, and more.
Alberto Costa Neves, Hydrography, Hydrography Program Director at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) School of Ocean Science and Engineering (SOSE), discusses the field of ocean floor mapping and the adventurous lives of hydrographers.
Dr. Michael Andres, Assistant Research Professor in the Division of Coastal Sciences in the School of Ocean Science and Engineering (SOSE) at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), uses his work with Gulf Sturgeon to give an overview of the field of restoration ecology and what life is like for those who study protected species.
Dr. Zack Darnell, Associate Professor in the Division of Coastal Sciences in the School of Ocean Science and Engineering (SOSE) at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), explains the field of marine behavioral ecology—or how groups of marine animals respond to changes in the environment—and his lab’s research on crab populations in the northern Gulf of Mexico.
Dr. Davin Wallace, Associate Professor in the School of Ocean Science and Engineering (SOSE) at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), investigates the response of coastal and marine systems to storms, sea-level rise, and sediment supply variations over a variety of timescales. He explains how he and his team collect data in the field and then process it in the lab to learn more about our coasts and oceans.