JU, OCEARCH’s joint marine research facility could have an impact on Mayport’s economy

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The sleepy community of Mayport will soon have more than just shrimp boats, battleships and the ferry on its waters.

A large research vessel will soon call the area home.

It’s the ship that OCEARCH – a non-profit marine research group – uses to study and track sharks around the world.

“I’m excited. It’s a word I keep using,” beamed Dr. Quinton White.

He is Executive Director of Jacksonville University’s Marine Science Research Institute.

JU and Osearch teamed up years ago and worked together on research projects. And now the two groups are planning to build Osearch’s global headquarters on a 1-acre lot in Mayport on the river.

Students and scientists can research and live on site.

dr Bryan Franks is Associate Director of the JU’s Marine Science Research Institute. He said there will be labs on site.

“And I assume we have space for the general public to see science at work.”

The actual buildings for the center are not yet under construction, but the dock is. And the city of Jacksonville has committed $6 million to build the dock.

“It’s designed to accommodate a 126-foot vessel,” White noted.

This is the OCEARCH ship. White said it is currently based in Brunswick, Georgia.

If the research vessel can dock in Mayport, the students will find it easier to load the ship and head out to sea.

“We’re seeing more research vessels coming here,” White said. “Because we have a place where they can dock. We haven’t had that in the past. You are a mile from the ocean here as opposed to 26 miles in downtown Jacksonville.”

Construction of the facility is scheduled to begin in 2024. But when the dock is ready, the ship can start working from there.

In addition to research into sharks, various types of marine science will also be hosted at the new Mayport facility. And White says it could affect Mayport’s economy.

“I think it will be an economic boom. It will bring an attraction with it. It will attract people. We anticipate that this will be a world-class outreach and research center,” added White.