Jacksonville University and OCEARCH, the shark-tagging and oceanic research organization, renewed their partnership ahead of the global headquarters groundbreaking in Mayport scheduled later this year.
“Since 2017, we have created unparalleled experiential learning opportunities, fostered groundbreaking research and inspired engagement with topics like white shark research and conservation. We are setting the stage for a future where education and research drive meaningful change across the globe,” JU President Tim Cost said in a June 18 news release.
The new partnership includes a new logo and the program will now be referred to as “OCEARCH at Jacksonville University.”
Over the past seven years, Jacksonville University and OCEARCH have collaborated on 17 expeditions and conducted more than 1,000 hours of research.
“The OCEARCH Global Headquarters will provide a hub for scientists to connect with watermen to make data collection more efficient and ensure our children will have an abundant ocean. A permanent home in Florida gives us the opportunity to build on our research in the western North Atlantic while also taking what we’ve learned in this region across the world to better understand global white shark populations,” OCEARCH founder and expedition leader Chris Fischer said in the release.
To be built on 1.18 acres of waterfront property at the mouth of the St. Johns River, OCEARCH Global Headquarters will have programming centralized around three core pillars:
• Educate students, the public and research scientists.
• Inspire visitors from around the world to learn more about Florida’s coastline and the importance of white sharks, fisheries and the blue economy.
• Enable scientific research, policy recommendations and rescue programs for protected marine species.
With construction expected to begin in late 2024, the OCEARCH Global Headquarters will have spaces for public education and meetings, OCEARCH ship operations, dockage for research vessels, a marine life research laboratory and basic housing for researchers and crew members.
In 2023, JU received $5 million from the state in support of the build-out of the new headquarters in Mayport. Last week, Gov. Ron DeSantis approved an additional $5 million for the partnership in the state’s budget.
The city of Jacksonville also supported the build-out at Mayport with a $6 million investment in a new dock completed in 2023.