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JACKSON COUNTY, Miss. (WLOX) — Chevron partnered with the Forts Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Jackson County Office of Emergency Services, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and Mississippi Gulf Fishing Banks to sink unused industrial equipment into the Gulf to create an artificial reef aimed at growing fish populations and improving recreational fishing along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

The project involves a 31-ton propane tank and a steel tower previously used for firefighter training at the Forts Lakes Fire Department.

Partners and funding

Chevron contributed $30,000 to help safely transport and deploy the reef materials offshore. It is the second reef project the company has supported alongside Mississippi Gulf Fishing Banks and the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources.

“This is a really good showcase of how partnership and collaboration could result in something that’s going to be a long-lasting benefit for the marine habitat,” Chevron public affairs advisor Katarina Scott said.

Benefits for anglers and marine life

Terry Jackson, Jackson County operations coordinator, said the project builds on an existing reef program.
“It’s gonna enhance the opportunities, number one, but you know, it just continues to build the reef program that is so important to maintain those fish so that everybody on the Coast can do it,” Jackson said.

Ralph Humphrey, president of Mississippi Gulf Fishing Banks, said the reef will benefit both commercial and recreational fishers.

“Charter captains can make a living out of it, both federal and state captains, and just a wealth of opportunity for the recreational anglers,” Humphrey said.

Humphrey noted the contrast with earlier conditions along the Coast.

“There were no artificial reefs back then, and there were no reefs at all, just a mud bottom. It’s good for shrimp, but not so good for reef fishing,” he said.

Long-term outlook

Scott said the structures are built to last.

“Those steel structures down there, they’re not going anywhere. That’s going to be a place where fish can continue to grow, thrive and reproduce, and so it’s going to have benefits long probably past work year,” Scott said.

“This reef that we’ve deployed is going to have lasting benefits for years to come; it’s just a really great thing, I think, for the fishing community here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” Scott said.

Read here:
Old fire department equipment being sunk to create artificial reef off Mississippi Gulf Coast

MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST (GG) — The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) is waiving the permit fee requirement for the rebuilding and repairing of previously authorized, storm damaged structures until June 19, 2027, provided the structures are rebuilt within the originally permitted footprint and specification.

The property owner must submit an application and receive an authorization from the MDMR prior to beginning any construction. Authorization from MDMR is not required for replacing damaged decking boards, roofs or any structures above the waterline; however, replacement of pilings, bulkheads and any structure that extends below the waterline will require authorization.

For more information, contact the MDMR Wetland Permitting Bureau at (228) 523-4106.

The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is dedicated to enhancing, protecting and conserving marine interests of the state by managing all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas to provide for the optimal commercial, recreational, educational and economic uses of these resources consistent with environmental concerns and social changes. Visit the DMR online at dmr.ms.gov.

(Photo by Hunter Dawkins/The Gazebo Gazette via Associated Press)

Read here:
MDMR to Waive Fees for Rebuilding & Repairing Damaged Structures - The Gazebo Gazette

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OCEAN SPRINGS — Mississippi researchers will help lead a new $13.5 million national effort to expand U.S. seafood production, positioning the Gulf Coast at the center of aquaculture research and development. 

The University of Southern Mississippi and Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium were selected to participate in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Cooperative Institute Fostering Aquaculture Research and Markets, or CIFARM.  

The five-year initiative, led by the University of New Hampshire, aims to improve aquaculture technology and strengthen domestic seafood production.  

“The U.S. still doesn't do very much aquaculture, particularly marine aquaculture,” said Reginald Blaylock, director of USM’s Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center. “We eat a lot of seafood — and we import it.”

According to NOAA, Americans consume about $24.2 billion in imported seafood each year, much of it farmed in other countries. 

“For years, we've been interested in trying to change that so that we actually produce the food that we eat here and get the economic benefits of the jobs that the industry creates and the food security,” Blaylock said. 

Mississippi leads Gulf Coast role

USM and the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium will serve as the lead representatives for the Gulf of Mexico region within the national cooperative. 

“(The institute) will be centered at the University of New Hampshire, but we have regional centers around the country,” Blaylock said. “This will be a large, coordinated effort among the groups.” 

Steve Sempier, director of the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, said the organization will work with Sea Grant programs in Texas, Louisiana and Florida to identify regional aquaculture needs and opportunities. 

“Sea Grant and USM are the leads for the Gulf region right now,” Sempier said.  

Researchers will use input from industry, coastal communities and other stakeholders to identify knowledge gaps and guide future research priorities. 

What researchers will study

At its most basic level, aquaculture is farming plants or animals in water, according to Blaylock. 

“It can be aquatic plants, plant-like organisms. It can be animals, fish, shrimp, whatever — anything that you're growing, cultivating in the water,” he said. 

NOAA said CIFARM projects will focus on demonstration farms, engineering, artificial intelligence, environmental forecasting, risk management and seafood markets. 

At USM, researchers will contribute expertise developed through years of studying marine species and production methods to help farmers use the best methods and species for aquaculture. 

“We've worked with a lot of different species here to try to alleviate the bottlenecks in (aquaculture),” Blaylock said. 

Sempier said the institute represents NOAA’s largest coordinated investment in aquaculture research. 

“This is the first large-scale cooperative institute that's focused specifically on aquaculture,” Sempier said. “It's very exciting to see that NOAA is interested in investing in the future of aquaculture throughout the country.” 

Why it matters on the Gulf Coast

Sempier said aquaculture in the Gulf has grown over the last decade, particularly in oyster production, but the project will examine a much broader range of opportunities. 

Researchers will study both offshore and coastal aquaculture systems and explore the potential for species ranging from shellfish to finfish. 

“This is a much broader look at the potential for aquaculture growth throughout the country,” Sempier said. 

He said expanding aquaculture could create new opportunities for people who make their living on the water while supporting local economies. 

“There are a lot of barriers and challenges, whether it's engineering or environmental or economic, that have to be overcome,” Sempier said. 

He said the project could also help answer regulatory questions that have slowed aquaculture growth. 

Public input sought

Both Blaylock and Sempier said community input will play an important role as the project develops. 

“It doesn't matter if you can grow a particular product if people are not interested in that product,” Blaylock said. 

Sempier said Sea Grant plans to hold workshops and listening sessions beginning next year to gather questions, concerns and ideas from Gulf Coast residents. 

“We would love to get input from anybody who's willing to share their thoughts and opinions as this project ramps up,” he said. 

For Mississippi, the next five years could help determine how much of America’s seafood future is shaped from the Gulf Coast. 

“The U.S. imports almost 90% of the seafood it eats,” Blaylock said. “What we want to see come out of this is American products on American plates.” 

Read here: Mississippi to help expand U.S. seafood production

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Once every 125 to 200 years. That is how often, on average, 10 to 15 inches of rain falls in Hancock County in 12 hours or less according to statistics from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

That is how much rain fell on Thursday (June 18) north of I-10 as reported by several observers and as estimated by NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) radar. Rain bands from the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur pounded the same areas from early morning to mid-afternoon in western, central, and northern Hancock County as well as nearby southern Pearl River, northeastern Harrison, and Stone counties. Areas near Bay St. Louis and Waveland escaped the heaviest rain, but still accumulated around 4 inches.

Flash floods developed on almost all small streams and creeks in the region, making multiple roads temporarily impassible. Much of that water has now flowed into the Jourdan River which the NWS predicts will be at major to moderate flood levels in the Kiln through the day on Friday.

A recurrence interval, of 200 years for example, is an average. It doesn’t mean that the event is guaranteed to happen only once over that time period. Instead it means that over a much longer time span, thousands of years, extreme events with that much rainfall might occur multiple times within a much shorter period of time, and then not occur at all for many hundreds of years, with the long-term average working out to be once per 200 years.

The flooding from Thursday’s deluge was made worse by the saturated ground resulting from six weeks of record-setting rainfall. From May 1st through June 17th most locations in central and northern Hancock County had received around 35 inches of rain, which is over half of the historical average for an entire year.

Arthur’s main circulation is now far away, about to enter the Atlantic off the coast of the Carolinas. However, it has left a weak trough of low pressure over the central Gulf Coast. That trough in combination with abundant heat and humidity will fuel scattered thunderstorms today through the weekend (June 19-21). While some areas may not see any rain at all, the thunderstorms that do form could be heavy. That fact, in conjunction with the saturated soil in the region, has prompted the NWS to categorize the flash flood risk as moderate on Friday for south Mississippi, and to retain a slight risk for Saturday.

Regardless, it is going to be a steamy several days. The NWS has issued a heat advisory for Friday with real temperatures expected to reach the lower 90s and extremely high humidity driving heat indices up to near 110.

Read here: Hancock County hit by historic flash floods | News | seacoastecho.com

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The Hancock Chamber is now accepting applications for the Leadership Hancock Class of 2026-2027, offering local professionals an opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills, expand their community knowledge, and build relationships that can make a lasting impact on Hancock County.

Applications are open through July 31, 2026, for the annual leadership development program, which has graduated more than 500 community leaders since its founding in 1996.

Designed to identify and prepare current and future leaders, Leadership Hancock offers participants a behind-the-scenes look at the people, organizations, industries, and issues shaping Hancock County. Through monthly sessions, participants gain firsthand exposure to local government, economic development, education, healthcare, tourism, public safety, and other key sectors while building connections with fellow leaders from across the community.

For many graduates, the greatest value comes from the relationships formed and the broader understanding of the county they call home.

“My biggest takeaway was learning about the services, resources, and opportunities available throughout the county, and the people, businesses, and organizations working every day to improve our community,” said Raoul Boughton of Million Air.

Schenel Fricke of the Hancock County School District said the experience opened her eyes to aspects of the community she had never encountered before.

“Although I’ve lived in Hancock County my entire life, I discovered businesses, organizations, and resources I never knew existed,” Fricke said. “Even more valuable were the relationships I built with inspiring individuals throughout the program.”

For Iris Willis of the Silver Slipper Casino Hotel, the program offered a deeper appreciation for the county’s strengths and the people behind them.

“Leadership Hancock gave me a better understanding of the heartbeat of our community,” Willis said. “It brought together people from different backgrounds and perspectives, helping build lasting relationships while showcasing the resources and organizations that make Hancock County thrive.”

Participants become part of a growing network of leaders who share a commitment to strengthening the community and serving as catalysts for positive change. The program is open to individuals who either live or work in Hancock County.

The selection committee seeks applicants who demonstrate leadership potential, represent a broad cross-section of the community, and are willing to invest their time in both the program and future community involvement.

The participation fee is $595 per person, and scholarships may be available.

Applications for the 2026-2027 class will be accepted through July 31. To request an application or learn more, contact Janice Jones at janice@hancockchamber.org. Application and program schedule can also be found at hancokchamber.org.

read here: Applications Open for Leadership Hancock Class of 2026-2027 Through July 31 - Hancock County Chamber of Commerce - MS