Mark Primo Miller (King Neptune)
My love has always been with the ocean but for reasons of economics, I obtained an Electrical Engineering degree from Mississippi State University figuring that Jacques Cousteau was an Engineer before he did his ocean work. These days I pay my bills working on computer networks doing systems administration for small companies (Primo Engineering). I run fishing and diving charters part time so I can pursue my passion for the ocean. When I started diving, there was not a great deal of formal and specialized training, nor were there fishing regulations like we have now. I have made dives in caves, over walls, in a few exotic diving destinations, and my deepest dive has been to 275 feet. I have made numerous dives over 200 feet. I have only made dives on standard air with no nitrox or other mixed gases. I only say this to emphasize that I am "old-school" and have lots of experience with very little formal training. This past year I got bent for the first time so I am realizing I have to start slowing down and being more cautious. I am copying and pasting some of my history from my Primofish page here.
1972: He began fishing these waters at the age of 12 utilizing a family boat.
1977: He became a YMCA certified SCUBA Diver and has been a very active diver since then.
1979: He began cooperatively to study electrical engineering at Mississippi State University and working with Singing River Electric Power Association in Gautier.
1984: He graduated and began full time employment with SREPA.
1985: He purchased his first boat, a 16' Mitchell which he immediately outfitted with a LORAN and Chart Recorder. He also discovered the Mississippi Gulf Fishing Banks (MGFB) and became an active member.
1987: He purchased his second boat, a 24' Aquasport.
1989: He began his contract dive and spotter boat work for MGFB that would last 5 more years. He has been instrumental in placing and studying all the public reefs off Mississippi. He also headed up MGFB's red snapper tagging program.
1991: He quit his full time employment as an engineer with Singing River Electric Power Association, got his US Coast Guard license, and began full time charter fishing as well as doing computer and electrical work. He ran his own 24' Aquasport as well as the "Mistral II", a 36' Delta, and the "Smooth Operator", a 36' Glenn Young Boat.
1994: He moved the computer work to a store front in Pascagoula.
1996: He renewed his US Coast Guard License and purchased his new Proline 240 with a Mercury 225 EFI Offshore engine.
1997: Won the contract to resume doing spotter and diving work for MGFB
2000: The Boat was re-powered with a Mercury 225 Optimax Engine.
2001: Captain's License renewed again.
2002: The Boat was re-powered with a Honda 225BFI 4-Stroke.
2005: Hurricane Katrina Strikes
2006: Captain's License renewed again.
2007: The Boat was reluctantly re-powered again with a Honda 225BFI 4-Stroke.
2011: Captain's License renewed again.
2014: Boat repowered with a Yamaha 300 4-Stroke. Best Engine on the boat yet!
2016: Took a DCS hit for the first time.
I was very active with MGFB between 1985 and 2017 building and documenting Mississippi's Artificial Reefs. As I age, I seem to be moving more toward photography and enjoy experiencing Ocean Life more than killing. I am happy to take one fish per trip to remember my experience and enjoy nature's bounty. I also feel an urge to push for equitable fishing rights and less government intrusion. Ironically, Government Closures take away our freedoms instead of protecting them. "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" is a well-known phrase in the United States Declaration of Independence. The phrase gives three examples of the "unalienable rights" which the Declaration says have been given to all human beings by their Creator, and which governments are created to protect. By denying access to this public resource, they are preventing us from experiencing these rights and this is wrong. I believe that there should not be different rules for user groups such as commercial, recreational, and the "For Hire" Sectors. We all have the same rights to the resource and should not have different rules to follow. Commercial people will just utilize the same rules more often. Creating different rules just pits people against one another and eventually they will not follow the rules outlined to them. You can read more about my seemingly outside view of this on my Fish-Rant Web Page. You can visit my extensive galleries at primofish and you can also visit my YouTube Channel where I started sharing my experiences in 2010.
My Favorite Quote: "The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever" (Jacques Cousteau)