About Us
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
OUR MISSION
To Preserve, Conserve and Protect the natural resources and the inhabitants of the wondrous, beautiful,
enormous Gulf of Mexico and Oceans of the World.
VISION – For a world where all life and living creatures may live in unison and harmony. Where human inhabitants act to conserve nature and protect the environment. How can we achieve this? It takes dedicated efforts by a staff of local government supported scientists, interested influential individuals, and the support from corporations and affiliated non-profits. There exists a misconception, in that many people do not realize they can in countless ways, harm the Oceans and other bodies of water due to their vastness, however in reality, there is a delicate ecosystem, and man is the number one stress destroying this ecosystem. We must stop polluting the Gulf and our Oceans, for it has become clear that they have become a major dumping ground for our humanities waste. With the emergence of giant islands of plastic garbage and waste, creating dead zones, algae blooms with flesh eating bacteria and pollution in the Gulf and Oceans, it is clear that the human impact and the effects of our carbon footprint is having a serious destructive impact. More than 80% of all marine pollution comes from human land-based sources such as agricultural runoff, plastic garbage, toxic chemicals, herbicides and pesticides affecting and killing the marine environment. Scientists estimate some 8 million items of marine litter enter the worlds Oceans and the Gulf of Mexico on a daily basis. This waste threatens marine health by ensnaring, poisoning and killing marine mammals and fish, threatening the human food chain by contaminating fish that we eat and Peyote polluting local waterways such as beaches and rivers that run off into the Gulf and the world’s Oceans.
GOALS – to inspire people to stop polluting and throwing garbage overboard while boating and enjoying the outdoors. No beer cans. No paper or plastic it becomes mistaken for food for marine animals clogging their digestive system potentially killing the animal. To number two – to develop and nurture different ways to create a healthy fisheries and the balance in the Gulf of Mexico. Number three – to address and work towards a solution to get the lion fish population under control number for Kobe of release project restocking of a depleting cobia fisher working with the department of marine resources and Gulf Coast Research Lab with Dr. Jim Franks. Our long-term goal is to establish a pollution free sustainable fisheries that feeds people while keeping the Gulfs ecosystem intact. Our foundation will work with and for fishing communities to protect the Gulfs ecosystem and can provide an economic and recreational bounty forever if managed properly it is our goal to build an army of Gulf activists who advocate for a strong state regional and federal fisheries management. And to protect vital habitats for marine mammals in the Gulf like see turtles, shorebirds and bottle-nose dolphins.
POLLUTION – The problem is simple to understand, do not throw trash overboard. There are many challenges for a clean and healthy Gulf, but if we all do our part we can contribute to the steps and needs to be taken to achieve this goal. Our regional economy depends on the health of the Gulf of Mexico for jobs and putting food on our plates to feed our families. Recovering from the Gulf Deepwater Horizon oil spill is only the tip of the iceberg, we must continue to preserve conserve and protect the natural resources of our Gulf
of Mexico!
The Gulf of Mexico and its natural resources and bountiful seafood industry is an economic driver for the entire country supplying a large percentage of the seafood and tourism activities and it is our duty to protect this valuable resource.
And you can learn more about his foundation by visiting his Facebook page at ONE GULF ONE GOAL.
Our Story
One Gulf One Goal
The Journey Toward a More Sustainable Gulf
By Mark H. Simmons II Gulf Coast "Observer"
There are many heroes of the arts deeply embedded in the patchwork of South Mississippi's culture and history. From George Ohr, to Walter Anderson and so many more that have paved the way for future generations to be inspired to create, to draw, to paint their truth. There is a man today who stands at the same height as those giants, and where Ohr had his pottery, and Anderson his islands, it is Marty Wilson who concerns himself almost singularly with fish. Of course, his paintings of the Gulf Coast's many aquatic creatures are well known. His prints rest on the walls of many Gulf Coast homes, and one of his largest pieces to date covers the front of The Reef Restaurant for passersby to take in on their commute down Highway 90. It was his love for the very creatures he paints that moved him to create One Gulf One Goal of which he is the sitting President.
“Probably the beginning of it all started back with my dad. Dick "The Legend" Wilson.. ” Says Wilson. “I was probably 17 or 18 years old when he started bringing me to the CCA meetings. I had done a piece of artwork- a speckled trout piece-called "Double Trouble" (Ms First of State Saltwater Stamp and Print) and we raised money to get the gill nets out of the water for the state so we could have speckled trout on Ship Island and Cat Island. Once we were doing that it kind of gave me some realizations about things that I could be doing to try to make a difference here- and that's kind of how this foundation started. Back then I was already thinking about that and was working on a logo for ONE GULF ONE GOAL. It was used then by the CCA who now has awarded Marty as life member status for his years of contrabutions to that organization.”
“The first project I was involved with was when we did the deployment for FH-14.” Says Vice President of One Gulf One Goal, Stacey Magnusen, speaking of one of various Fish Havens that have helped keep our aquatic wildlife healthy and happy. “We were able to get 6.6 million pounds of artificial reef material donated to the foundation. It was a total team effort from our foundation directors, Rigid Constructors,the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources,Ms Gulf Fishing Banks and WC Cotton Fore Construction Co. We were able to deploy it to fish haven FH-14 and they made it into the shape of an O so that it would represent One Gulf One Goal.”
Such Fish Havens have been monumental to restoring fisheries that have seen a significant decrease in population due to overfishing and the removal of oil rigs that were previously used by fish for shelter, such as Red Snapper. According to Magnusen and Wilson the impact is significant and noticeable even after just a six month period, with a steady and abundant rise of new fish readying the fisheries for fishermen.
“We were awarded 1.8 million to put artificial reefs back in our fish havens.” Says Magnusen. “Governor Tate Reaves approved it and that’s currently what we’re working on now.”
“That project is to put 300 artificial reefs in the water that are probably 10 feet by 10 feet footprints.” Continues Marty, jumping off of Magnusen's statement. “We're actually working on some more organic 3D designs that look like they fit more into the marine environment. Our mix designs will have a lower pH footprint with additives like bagasse, which is a byproduct of sugarcane, are totally organic. Instead of fiberglass hairs, we're using more of like a wood fiber and then also the bio-char additive which is the burnt bagasse that has a microscopic carbon ladder that adds to the tensile strength. One of the byproducts of that is that it reduces the carbon footprint there to make it more pH neutral so that it's accepted into the marine environment quicker.”
A lower pH footprint also allows for more biodiversity, and for growth at an accelerated rate for the fishery. This includes not just room for juvenile fish such as baby Red Snapper and Grouper, but algaes, oysters, barnacles, small bait fish and tube boring worms. But, while important, this project is just one of many that One Gulf One Goal is involved in. Another important concern is the declineing Cobia fishery.
“The Cobia tagging program was instilled a long time ago by one of our hero marine biologists Jim Franks.” Says Wilson. He's been at the research lab forever and we've gained a lot of valuable information about that species, and unfortunately that fishery has been overfished. It's in trouble, and we've been looking for an answer- one of our ideas was the Cobia lisence plate. When you buy one you're actually buying one fingerling baby Cobia enough food to raise it to about 6 to 8 inches and released back into the wild. Then, when you renew your tag the funding will be there year after year throughout our states courthouses- but we're still trying to get that off the ground. In the meantime we've got another project in the works to do a Cobia release of 10,000 baby Cobias per year, and do a five year program. If we can find some good science behind this over the course of three years, we could get a two year extension.”
Wilson is hoping to have this project funded, and believes that purchasing the Cobia through the University of Miami Research Lab could be key. In doing so, Wilson hopes to keep the fish in the tanks at the Gulf Coast Research Lab until they are large enough for external tagging, so that the public can be involved as they catch and release or harvest them. The proper release of young Cobia is of great importance to this cause, and this is something that every Gulf Coast fisherman should take note of. Using the hashtag #40BelowLetEmGo Wilson and Magnusen have raised awareness that Cobia under the length of 40 inches are simply not likely to be mature enough to have spawned at least once before harvest to replenish their fishery. For this reason, it's essential that Cobia be netted and measured with a tape instead of a gaff, and be let go when under 40 inches in length. If everyone took note of these simple guidelines, the task of replenishing the Cobia fishery would become much easier to conquer.
But there's also a way for families and children to get involved and learn more about their local fisheries by way of the Croaker Classic Fishing Tournament. Held once a year at The Captain's Wharf Marina next to Captain Al's Seafood Restaurant, the Croaker Classic is a family fishing event which takes place the weekend of July 20th & 21st this year in which both children and adults can win prizes for catching the biggest Croaker.
“It's an amazing event that brings families together.” Says Magnusen. “The average croaker is probably about a pound, so we had a nine year old girl win it the year before last and it was only just over a pound.”
“The whole premise behind the tournament is really to get families out in the outdoors.” Says Wilson. “Get them doing things together outdoors. The outdoors is really where it's at and for a young man or even a young woman growing up in today's world- if yoou can get them out in the outdoors and get them to fall in love with it, I know that's just a great way to grow up. For me and my twin brother, and my dad turning us on to that and giving us that as a lifestyle and a way of life is just... the way you're supposed to be raised on the Coast, you know?”
The event promises to be an excellent chance for families to experience coast life the way it was meant to be; in the sunshine, by the water, taking in the beauty and discovering the secrets of our hidden coast. It also features a gaurenteed $5,000.00 cash for first place croaker , as well as things like full fishing kits, rods and reels, and even a two man Pelican Kayak for first place in the kids division which boasts 15 places for the kids 15 years old and under. So In the imortal words of Dick Wilson "Tight Lines and Take A KID fISHING!!"
“I think that the foundation is not only helping put fish back in the water, but also helping our local anglers and tourism.” Says Magnusen. “It's not just that- it's also helping the businesses that sell seafood across the Gulf Coast, including here at Captian Al's. I wanted to be involved because we sell fresh seafood.”
“The restaurant industry prides themselves on fresh seafood from the Gulf.” Says Wilson in agreement. “That's what brings tourism in. That's what brings heads to hotel beds. That's what really supports our infrastructure here on the Coast. If we don't have it we're going to be at a loss.”
From the health and wellbeing of fish themselves to the impact of declining fisheries on local restaurants, One Gulf One Goal is dedicated not only to finding solutions but to getting the everyman involved in every way they can. Anglers, fishers, sailors, and their families can do much to help our depleting fisheries. Our beloved Gulf Coast thrives on the bounty of the ocean, and we would do well to make certain that bounty exists for those who might fish it in the future. Together we are... One Gulf One Goal!
Our Sponsors
