Giant squid found in Gulf of Mexico

Scientists from NOAA’s Fisheries Service captured a giant squid while conducting research off the Louisiana coast. This is only the second known giant squid obtained from the Gulf of Mexico. The first was collected in 1954. The squid, just over 19 and a half feet long and 103 pounds, was collected on July 30, during a 60-day scientific study by NOAA’s Southeast Fisheries Science Center and the Department of the Interior’s Minerals Management Service. The scientists were aboard the NOAA research vessel Gordon Gunter when the squid was caught in a trawl at a depth of more than 1,500 feet. (Source: NOAA, 09/21/09)

Gulf fish farm proposal inches closer

Large-scale commercial fish farming in the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico is now a step closer. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Thursday declined to block the plan, despite concerns from some fishing and environmental advocates. That paves the way for the region to be the first to develop open-ocean aquaculture in federal waters. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council earlier this year approved a plan to allow production of native fish, such as snapper and grouper, in underwater cages and pens. (Source: Mobile Press-Register, New Orleans Times-Picayune, 09/04/09)

Burge retiring from USM

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Cecil Burge is retiring as the University of Southern Mississippi's vice president of research and economic development, effective Dec. 31. A national search for a successor will begin later this fall. Burge has been with Southern Miss for nearly 40 years. During his tenure, external funding topped $100 million for the first time in school history in fiscal year 2007, including more than $40 million in marine aquaculture research. (Source: Hattiesburg American, 09/03/09)