Mississippi Department of Marine Resources

What Mississippi Department of Marine Resources does

The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) is a state government agency created in 1994 by the Mississippi Legislature to enhance, protect, and conserve Mississippi's marine interests. Headquartered at 1141 Bayview Avenue in Biloxi (Bolton State Building), the agency manages all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands, and waterfront areas within Mississippi's Coastal Zone across Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson counties, with Marine Patrol jurisdiction extending 200 miles offshore. MDMR serves a diversified stakeholder base including commercial fishermen (shrimp, crab, oyster, finfish harvesters), seafood processors and dealers, recreational anglers, charter operators, boaters, local governments, coastal property developers, and the general public across Mississippi's six Gulf Coast counties. The agency is governed by a five-member Mississippi Advisory Commission on Marine Resources appointed by the governor to four-year terms, and operates under state statutes including the Mississippi Seafood Laws, Coastal Wetlands Protection Act, Public Trust Tidelands Act, and Magnuson Act.

MDMR's operational infrastructure spans multiple specialized bureaus: Marine Fisheries (Artificial Reef, Finfish, Shellfish, Shrimp & Crab, Hatchery, Seafood Technology), Marine Patrol (law enforcement and 24/7 marine emergency dispatch), Coastal Resources Management (wetlands permitting, coastal preserves, invasive species), and Coastal Restoration & Resiliency (established 2014). The agency's technology stack includes GIS-based public access mapping systems, an electronic Wetlands Permitting Portal (Citizenserve) integrated with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers workflows, artificial reef coordinate databases with 3D mapping surveys covering 67 inshore reefs and 15 offshore reef sites, real-time hydrological monitoring (with USGS), Visible Implant Elastomer (VIE) tagging programs for spotted seatrout and southern flounder stock assessment, and an online GOMESA Transparency Portal. Key facilities include the 214-acre Lyman Aquaculture Hatchery (14 half-acre lined ponds and 11 earthen ponds) and Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Moss Point. The agency manages 72,000 acres of designated coastal wetlands habitat, holds title to approximately 40,000 acres through the Coastal Preserves Program, and has removed over 21,900 derelict crab traps since 1999.

MDMR's funding model is structured as a public-sector agency rather than a commercial enterprise, with revenue derived from four primary streams: state legislative appropriations, federal grants (National Park Service for the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area, RESTORE Act, NRDA, NFWF), GOMESA revenue sharing from offshore oil and gas production (Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006), and licensing/permit fees (fishing licenses, seafood dealer licenses, oyster/shrimp/crab licenses, wetlands permits, tidelands leases, and the Recreational Offshore Landing Permit). The agency delivers services through both in-person channels (Biloxi licensing office, Grand Bay NERR, Lyman hatchery, Marine Patrol field operations, Coast Guard coordination in Gulfport and Pascagoula) and digital channels (online permitting portals, public notices via website/RSS, Facebook @MississippiDMR, YouTube @MSMarineResources for live commission meetings). MDMR is structurally embedded in a partnership ecosystem of 21+ federal, state, academic, and non-profit organizations including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Mississippi Secretary of State, Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, Gulf of America Alliance, and Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium.

Name

Mississippi Department of Marine Resources

Legal name

Mississippi Department of Marine Resources

Website

https://dmr.ms.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, created in 1994, manages marine life, public trust wetlands, and coastal areas across Mississippi's three coastal counties and adjacent waters, serving commercial fishermen, recreational anglers, seafood processors, local governments, and the general public through regulatory oversight and restoration programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Resources Management

NAICS

Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241), Aquaculture (11251), Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (92615), Regulation of Agricultural Marketing and Commodities (92614), Regulation of Agricultural Marketing and Commodities (926140)

SIC

Fishing, Hunting And Trapping (900), Prepared Fresh Or Frozen Fish & Seafoods (2092), Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAIAMAI

Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines)

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Administration

SECONDARYBPAIAAAO

Agriculture, Fisheries & Food Administration

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Central/Federal Government Administration

SECONDARYBPADALAI

Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Climate, Environment & Sustainable Development Programs

SECONDARYAFAEANAE

Aquaculture & Fish Health Services

Agriculture & Food Production/Animal Production & Aquaculture/Animal Health & Veterinary Services

SECONDARYAFALAMAL

Seafood & Aquaculture Certification Services (MSC/ASC/BAP)

Agriculture & Food Production/Food Safety, Testing & Certification/Certification Services (Organic, Non-GMO, etc.)

SECONDARYEUAHAHAB

Aquatic Ecology & Fisheries Assessments

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Environmental Compliance, Monitoring & Consulting/Ecology, Biodiversity & Natural Resource Assessments

SECONDARYBPAIAOAB

Licensing & Permitting Authorities (General)

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Regulatory Agencies & Licensing (Cross-sector)

SECONDARYIMAIAGAI

Marine & Coastal Remediation (Shoreline/Port Spill Cleanup)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Industrial Services & Facility Operations/Environmental & Hazardous Materials Services (Remediation/Asbestos/Spill Response)

Keywords

• Marine resource management
• Fisheries regulatory services
• Coastal wetlands permitting
• Seafood safety inspection
• Marine law enforcement

Headquarters

HQ city

Biloxi

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. State Legislative Appropriations: Annual appropriations from Mississippi State Legislature for agency operations and programs including Marine Fisheries Administration, Marine Patrol, Coastal Restoration, and Tidelands Trust Fund administration
2. GOMESA Revenue Sharing: Portion of offshore oil and gas revenue from Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act distributed to Mississippi for coastal protection, conservation, and restoration projects
3. Licensing and Permit Fees: Fees collected from fishing licenses, commercial seafood dealer licenses, oyster licenses, shrimp licenses, boat registration support, wetlands permits, and tidelands leases
4. Federal Grants: National Park Service funding for Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area, RESTORE Act funds, NRDA, NFWF, and other federal coastal restoration grants

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

MDMR manages and regulates Mississippi's marine fisheries, coastal wetlands, and tidelands through licensing, permitting, enforcement, habitat restoration, and seafood safety inspection programs. The agency administers commercial and recreational fishing licenses, wetlands and tidelands permits, seafood labeling compliance, marine patrol enforcement, artificial reef development, and aquaculture hatchery operations across Mississippi's three coastal counties and adjacent marine waters.

Product overview

The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) is a state government agency (not a commercial product company) that manages Mississippi's marine interests through multiple interconnected programs. The agency's offerings include Marine Fisheries Management (covering finfish, shellfish, shrimp, and crab), the Artificial Reef Program for habitat enhancement, the Lyman Aquaculture Hatchery for stock restoration, the Seafood Technology Bureau for food safety regulation, Marine Patrol for law enforcement, Wetlands Permitting through an electronic portal, Coastal Restoration & Resiliency initiatives, the Tidelands Trust Fund for coastal projects, and GOMESA revenue distribution. Key regulatory programs include the Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (ROLP) system and Mississippi Seafood Labeling requirements. These programs work together to enhance, protect, and conserve Mississippi's coastal marine resources while supporting commercial and recreational fishing industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Marine Fisheries Management
• Artificial Reef Program
• Lyman Aquaculture Hatchery
• Seafood Technology Bureau
• Shellfish Bureau
• Shrimp & Crab Bureau
• Marine Patrol
• Wetlands Permitting
• Coastal Restoration & Resiliency
• Tidelands Trust Fund Program
• GOMESA Program
• Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (ROLP)
• Licensing Services
• Mississippi Seafood Labeling Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 72,000 acres of crucial coastal wetlands habitat designated and managed
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bureau of Ocean Energy ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Oversees implementation of GOMESA legislation for revenue sharing from offshore oil and gas production. BOEM maintains GOMESA legislation resources and coordinates with Gulf states on energy revenue distribution.
• National Park ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary funder of Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area (MGCNHA) program. Provides federal funding through National Park Service for economic growth initiatives in Mississippi's six coastal counties focusing on natural, cultural, and historical resources.
• U.S. Army Corps of EngineerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgreement with Mobile and Vicksburg districts for wetlands permitting in Mississippi Coastal Zone. MDMR serves as point of contact and evaluates permit applications before forwarding to USACE.
• NOAA National Marine Fisheries ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner for marine fisheries management and enforcement. MDMR entered agreement in July 2001 to provide law enforcement of federal regulations in state and federal waters. Collaboration on Red Snapper regulations and Magnuson-Stevens Act enforcement.
• Mississippi Department of Agriculture and CommercecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerJoint enforcement partner for Mississippi Seafood Labeling Law (MS Code 69-1-55). MDAC shares regulatory responsibility with MDMR for ensuring compliance with country of origin labeling requirements for seafood and crawfish.
• Mississippi Secretary of StatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMemorandum of Understanding for Coastal Preserves Program. Secretary of State's Office acquires coastal properties while MDMR manages lands for the state. Joint administration of Tidelands Trust Fund Program.
• Nature ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in coastal preservation efforts, collaborating on habitat protection and ecosystem management strategies.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner in coastal wetlands protection and wildlife conservation. Collaborates on habitat restoration and endangered species protection within coastal preserves.
• Grand Bay National Estuarine Research ReservecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMDMR operates Grand Bay NERR as part of National Estuarine Research Reserve system. Joint research and monitoring programs for coastal estuarine ecosystems.
• Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal PlainminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint management partner for 12 Oaks Trail in Ocean Springs coastal preserve. Collaboration on land conservation and public access.
• Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partnership supporting seafood technology, marine research, and coastal resource management through scientific expertise and resources.
• Gulf of America AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMDMR participates as 501c3 non-profit Regional Ocean Partnership working on six priority issues: coastal resilience, data & monitoring, education & engagement, habitat resources, water resources, and wildlife & fisheries. MDMR staff lead Habitat Resources Team and Coastal Community Resilience Team.
• Mississippi Forestry CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner in coastal resources management and invasive species coordination.
• National Resource Conservation ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner in wetlands and coastal habitat restoration efforts.
• Mississippi Department of HealthminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaboration on seafood safety and public health matters related to shellfish and seafood consumption.
• Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing research support and technical expertise for marine fisheries and coastal resource management.
• University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research LaboratoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for shrimp and crab fisheries research, monitoring, and management coordination.
• Mississippi Gulf Fishing BankscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal non-profit fishermen's organization collaborating on artificial reef development. MDMR works closely with MGFB to promote, conserve, and develop reef habitat. MGFB holds permits for offshore reef sites.
• Gulf States Marine Fisheries CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional interstate commission coordinating fisheries management across Gulf states including shrimp and crab management activities.
• U.S. Geological SurveyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner for Real-Time Hydrological Monitoring Program and fisheries research collaboration.
• Charnley-Norwood House Preservation PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric preservation of late 19th-century cottage with architectural significance (attributed to Louis H. Sullivan and/or Frank Lloyd Wright). Managed by MGCNHA, tours available by appointment.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Federal agency managing national wildlife refuges and wetlands conservation. Comparable as a federal partner in coastal wetlands protection, endangered species, and habitat restoration programs.
• NOAA Fisheries (National Marine Fisheries Service): Federal agency overseeing U.S. marine fisheries under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Comparable as a federal counterpart with regulatory oversight of fisheries, with whom MDMR has a 2001 enforcement agreement.

Regional players

• Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission: Interstate commission coordinating marine fisheries management across Gulf states. Comparable as a regional coordinating body for shrimp, crab, and finfish management in which MDMR participates.

Direct peers

• South Carolina Department of Natural Resources: State agency managing South Carolina's marine fisheries, coastal habitats, and wildlife. Comparable as a state marine resource agency with fisheries management, habitat conservation, and permitting functions.
• Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries: State agency managing Louisiana's marine fisheries, coastal restoration, and enforcement. Directly comparable as a Gulf state agency with extensive coastal restoration, fisheries, and habitat management programs.
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: State agency managing Florida's marine fisheries, wildlife, and coastal resources. Directly comparable as a Gulf-adjacent state marine resource agency with regulatory, enforcement, and fisheries management mandates.
• Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: State agency administering Alabama's Marine Resources Division and State Lands Division. Directly comparable as a neighboring Gulf state agency managing fisheries, coastal wetlands, and offshore resources.
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: State agency managing Texas coastal fisheries, artificial reefs, and coastal parks. Directly comparable as a Gulf state agency with overlapping mandate on marine fisheries, artificial reef programs, and coastal conservation.
• Georgia Department of Natural Resources - Coastal Resources Division: State agency division managing Georgia's coastal marsh, tidal rivers, and marine fisheries. Comparable as a state-level marine resource regulator with wetlands permitting, fisheries management, and habitat preservation authority.

Others

• Nature Conservancy: Global conservation NGO partnering with MDMR on coastal preserves and habitat protection. Comparable as a complementary, non-regulatory conservation organization enabling land acquisition and ecosystem management.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@MSMarineResources
• Facebookfacebook.com/MississippiDMR
• Xx.com/mississippi_dmr
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mississippi-department-of-marine-resources

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Mississippi Department of Marine Resources