Oceans in Action: March 7, 2022

Keynote: Operational Navy Update and Future Plans

Presenter

Rear Admiral Ronald J. Piret

US Navy Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command; Commander, Task Group 80.7

In this Keynote presentation, Rear Admiral Ronald J. Piret covers what the USMOC accomplished in 2021, the landscape of the current command, and what will be new in 2022 including ocean and atmospheric observations, GOFS 3.5, and enhanced applications.

Panel: NavalX Gulf Coast Tech Bridge Overview & Technical Focus Areas

Moderator: Laurie Jugan, Program Director

Mississippi Enterprise for Technology

Panelists

  • Holly Gardner, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City and Director, Gulf Coast Tech Bridge
  • Captain Micah Weltmer, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command
  • Joe Calantoni, Naval Research Laboratory, Stennis Detachment

This panel discussion provides an overview of NavalX and the Gulf Coast Tech Bridge including its background, technical focus areas, and collaborations.

The University of Southern Mississippi’s Coastal Operations Briefing

Presenter

Dr. Shannon Campbell

University of Southern Mississippi Programs

The University of Southern Mississippi’s Coastal Operations will be a national leader in addressing issues relevant to people in coastal and maritime settings. The pillars of USM’s Coastal Operations department are:

  • Understanding the ocean and coasts
  • Improving coastal resilience
  • Supporting the blue economy

Mississippi’s Blue Economy

Presenter

Jamie Miller, Mississippi Development Authority (MDA)

Mississippi Development Authority

What is Mississippi’s Blue Economy? This presentation goes over the “traditional” ocean economy and newer “Blue Tech” sectors. The MDA has identified the coastal counties of Mississippi as a blue economy cluster, each with its own area of expertise, as having strong growth potential. Learn more about the blue initiatives in Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson counties and how blue economy projects can receive state-level support from the MDA.

State of Gulf of Mexico Alliance 2022

Presenter

Laura Bowie, Executive Director

Gulf of Mexico Alliance

Learn more about GOMA is and how the organization is structured. The presentation offers information on some of their projects including the conservation of Diamondback Terrapins, the Gulf of Mexico Open Data Portal (GoMOD), state Water Watch projects, living shoreline programs, marine debris education, avian stewardship and monitoring, and the Gulf of Mexico Conference.

Mississippi Department of Marine Resources

Presenter

Joe Spraggins, Executive Director

Mississippi Department of Marine Resources

Learn more about the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources—a state agency tasked with enhancing, protecting, and conserving the marine resources of Mississippi.

Mississippi State University Programs on the Coast

Presenter

Dr. Robert Moorhead, Professor & Director

Geosystems Research and Northern Gulf Institutes, Mississippi State University

Learn about MSU’s work on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, including:

  • Coastal Research and Extension Center
  • Aquarium Partnerships
  • Institute for Marine Mammal Studies
  • Mississippi Cyber Initiative
  • Assure FFA Unmanned Air Systems Center of Excellence
  • MSU Science and Technology Center at Stennis Space Center
  • Northern Gulf Institute