Page 82 - Play Coastal Mississippi - Spring, 2025

ATTRACTIONS
COAST INSIDER LOOK | OCEAN ADVENTURES MARINE PARK
Born and raised on the Coast, my fascination for marine life and the great “big blue” was ingrained in my childhood. My grandfather had a shrimping boat, “Easy Money,” that he would often take family and friends on in search of the next biggest catch of fresh Gulf seafood for his infamous gumbo or to enjoy the fireworks on display while docked near the Barrier Islands. The Coast was not only our home but a way of life.
As a child, I dreamed of working with dolphins and sea lions, charmed by their playfulness, intelligence, and natural zest for life. Many years later, too many to count... ahem, I had the opportunity to reignite this interest with my visit to Ocean Adventures Marine Park.
Let me say this was my first time visiting as a Coastal native. I know! Shame on me, right?! However, experiencing it now allowed me to appreciate the knowledgeable staff and the quality care the facility provides to these creatures. Ocean Adventures Marine Park is a subsidiary of the Institute for Marine Mammals Studies (IMMS), founded in 1984 by Dr. Moby Solangi. Located in Gulfport, IMMS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to public education, conservation, and research of marine mammals. Their conservation efforts extend even further with the
Story by Shelley Singh
IMMS | Coastal Mississippi
82PLAYCOASTALMISSISSIPPI I SPRING2025
COASTALMISSISSIPPI.COM