Mississippi Department of Marine Resources

06/23/2026

Our Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area invites you to celebrate the ribbon cutting and unveiling of the restored Moonwalk mural, along with the dedication of Fred Haise Landing, honoring Biloxi's hometown astronaut, on July 27 at 12 p.m. at the Biloxi Visitor's Center.

Join us as we celebrate Mississippi's rich coastal heritage and recognize one of our state's most notable pioneer in exploration.

For more information, visit the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area page or click the link below.

Join us as we celebrate Biloxi’s hometown astronaut, Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise, at the dedication of Fred Haise Landing and the unveiling of the restored Moonwalk mural.

📅 Saturday, June 27, 2026

🕛 1200 Hours (12:00 PM)
Opening Ceremony & Meet and Greet with Fred Haise
Biloxi Visitors Center

🕐 1300 Hours (1:00 PM)
Ribbon Cutting, Unveiling of the Restored Moonwalk Mural, and Dedication of Fred Haise Landing
South of the Biloxi Lighthouse

Meet one of America’s space pioneers, explore the restored Moonwalk mural, and help us honor a Biloxi native whose journey inspired generations to reach for the stars.

We hope you’ll join us for this special community celebration.

06/22/2026

SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI LEARN AND BURN WORKSHOP

The Longleaf Alliance sponsored, and State and Federal partners participated in a Mississippi Prescribed Fire Council, Learn and Burn Workshop in Richton, MS.

Randy Wilson, MDMR Coastal Preserves Bureau Director, discussed how to plan a growing season fire focusing on forest fuels and weather conditions. MDMR interns, Alexis Gentry (USM, Marine Biology major) and Patrick Moore (LSU, Coastal Environmental Science major) also attended the workshop.

All attendees were given the opportunity to actively participate in prescribed fire ignitions including backing, flanking and strip head firing techniques.

Growing season prescribed burning helps stimulate native grasses and wildflowers, improve forage and cover for deer, turkey, quail, and pollinators, reduce hazardous fuel loads, and promote healthier, more resilient forests and wetlands.

06/19/2026

Jared Harris, Deputy Director of the Office of Coastal Resources Management, recently graduated from the State Executive Development Institute (SEDI) at the Stennis Institute of Government and Community Development at Mississippi State University. The program is a weeklong, intensive course, covering a broad range of topics. Curriculum topics include leadership, management theory and skills, conflict resolution, cybersecurity, and other pertinent issues facing our future state leaders. Congratulations to Jared and the entire SEDI cohort.

06/18/2026

Students from MSU College of Veterinary Medicine visited the MDMR Lyman Hatchery as part of their Marine Life Medicine Class. They were able to view firsthand coastal species of marine fish in hatchery aquaculture systems. Highlights included overview of quarantine facilities and procedures, and animal daily health care and system management.

06/17/2026

Teachers on the Estuary (TOTE) Learn About Aquatic Invasive Species Management

Today, Mike Pursley, Invasive Species Program Manager with our Office of Coastal Resources Management, joined educators at the Teachers on the Estuary (TOTE) program at Grand Bay NERR to discuss the monitoring and management of aquatic invasive species along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Participants learned about the biology, history, and current status of the Coast’s most common invasive species, as well as the importance of using an integrated pest management approach and best management practices to protect our coastal ecosystems. Our Aquatic Invasive Species Team spends more than 200 days each year on the water assessing and treating invasive species to help preserve native habitats and maintain healthy, navigable waterways.

Thank you to the educators who continue to inspire environmental stewardship in the next generation!

06/16/2026

We are proud to recognize several outstanding Marine Patrol Officers for their dedication and service to the people of Mississippi.

During this morning's Mississippi Advisory Commission on Marine Resources meeting, Officer Wyatt Webb and Officer Bryan Drieling were recognized for receiving the First Responders of the Year Award, presented by Governor Tate Reeves at the Attorney General's Public Safety Summit.

In addition, Lt. Jeffrey Payne was honored with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) Boating Safety Instructor of the Year Award, recognizing his commitment to boating safety education and excellence in training.

Please join us in congratulating these exceptional officers for their professionalism, leadership and unwavering commitment to protecting Mississippi's waterways and the communities they serve.

06/16/2026

Our monthly Mississippi Advisory Commission on Marine Resources is now live. To watch, click below or visit https://youtube.com/live/NL3InKswHKs?feature=share.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

06/15/2026

We want to know your thoughts on king mackerel! With a stock assessment underway, we want to provide your on-the-water perspective to the assessment analysts.

Let us know what you're seeing using our fisherman feedback tool: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdG25LKrNHbZsSbnBtkWOwE67a6rZjXK3i337lnvmRa-Hl-dw/viewform

You can also use the link in our bio!

06/15/2026

Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) Executive Director General Joe Spraggins shared with WLOX how shrimpers are doing and what sizes and prices customers on the Coast should expect to see at docks and in stores.

Read the full story or watch the video at

Mississippi shrimp season has been underway for about two weeks. MDMR Executive Director General Joe Spraggins shared with WLOX how shrimpers are doing and what sizes and prices customers on the Coast should expect to see at docks and in stores.

06/15/2026

The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is excited to welcome our newest group of interns to the agency! Throughout the summer, these talented students will gain hands-on experience while working alongside our staff in a variety of programs dedicated to protecting, conserving, and enhancing Mississippi’s coastal and marine resources.

From coastal management and habitat restoration to environmental education and marine science, our interns will have the opportunity to learn about the important work being done every day to support Mississippi's coastal communities and ecosystems.

We are proud to invest in the next generation of environmental professionals and look forward to seeing all they accomplish during their time with us.

Please join us in welcoming our 2026 MDMR interns.