By Magnolia Mornings, Magnolia Tribune
Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center at Southern Miss (Photo from USM)
The University of Southern Mississippi announced Tuesday (June 9) that it is partnering in a new national effort to grow and strengthen America’s seafood supply through aquaculture research as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Cooperative Institute Fostering Aquaculture Research and Markets (CIFARM), led by the University of New Hampshire (UNH).
With approximately $13.5 million in initial funding, CIFARM will support research and partnerships that will make it safer, more environmentally friendly and cost-effective to produce seafood domestically.
“USM is honored to be part of this extraordinary group of people and institutions, and we thank NOAA for its trust in us to bring return on its investment,” said Reginald B. Blaylock, Ph.D., research professor and director of the Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center at Southern Miss. “We are committed to harnessing the research in government, colleges and universities, innovation in industry, and the culture and resilience of coastal communities to ensure a safe, sustainable and abundant supply of seafood for American families.”
UNH will lead a broad national network of partners in addition to The University of Southern Mississippi, including New Hampshire Sea Grant, the University of Miami, Florida Sea Grant, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, California Sea Grant, the University of Hawaii and Hawaii Sea Grant.