Jim Franks, a Pillar of Gulf Coast Fisheries Science
When James “Jim” Franks passed on April 15, 2026, the Gulf Coast fisheries science landscape lost a legend. Over the course of a remarkable 60-year career at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Franks’ research and passion forged an indelible legacy in fisheries science and conservation.
As a research scientist, Franks authored more than 50 published scientific papers. He led a groundbreaking tagging program that recorded more than 54,000 tags from a variety of species. Franks was a recognized authority on cobia, tripletail, tarpon, billfish, tuna and sargassum in the Gulf of Mexico and beyond. His research and mentorship touched generations of fisheries scientists.
Franks was acclaimed for his partnership with the sport-fishing community, and his contributions were widely heralded. In 2018, The Billfish Foundation recognized him with the Paxson Offield Lifetime Science Achievement Award, an honor bestowed in thanks for a lifetime dedicated to advancing fisheries science. Franks was presented with the American Fisheries Society’s President’s Fishery Conservation Award, the Mississippi Chapter of the American Fisheries Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award and C.A. Shultz Conservation Award, the Mississippi Wildlife Federation’s Conservationist of the Year Award and many others. The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory named its 60-foot research vessel the R/V Jim Franks.
More than his accolades and dedication, Franks was known for his kind presence and the graciousness with which he approached life. To speak with those who worked with him is to understand the feeling of losing not just a great scientist, but also a friend. “I cannot think of a finer gentleman who was more thoughtfully focused on fisheries science than Jim. We’re all going to miss him terribly,” says Ellen Peel, president of The Billfish Foundation.
For more than two and a half decades, Franks worked closely with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic, a tournament that is a pillar of the Gulf sport-fishing scene. Bobby Carter, president and co-founder of the MGCBC, worked closely with Franks. He remembers his friend fondly. “He was one of the founding members of the MGCBC. His students did an outstanding job with all the fish that came in. His work is going to be very hard to replace.”
Just how much did Jim Franks’ career and presence mean to the Gulf Coast sport-fishing community? Bobby Carter provides context. “This year is the 29th Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic. We dedicated the tournament in his honor.”
Hy Jacobson, Marine Artist
Marine life artist and sculptor Hy Jacobson was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1941. An accomplished painter from an early age, Jacobson turned his focus from painting to sculpture early in his career. A lifelong offshore fisherman, he was unique among marine life artists in his use of teak wood as his medium for sculpture.
As he grew into his career, Montauk was the place to be as a fisherman. Jacobson kept his boat and spent most of his days in Montauk. It was there that he met and became good friends with Frank and Eddie Murray of Murray Brothers. Admiring his teak sculptures, Frank suggested that Jacobson make the sculptures into lamps, with the idea that fishermen would buy them to showcase on their boats.
His work displayed in the Murray Brothers’ showroom sold out immediately. This opened doors that led Jacobson to becoming a highly regarded artist in the sport-fishing community and, more broadly, the marine life art world. His works would be showcased not only on boats, but also in museums, hotels, and on the television show Magnum PI. His work was also published on many occasions by Marlin magazine.
Being a fisherman and an artist were only part of the well-rounded life that Jacobson led. Intellectually curious, he was known for his breadth of knowledge across a variety of subjects. He loved horses and kept some in Montauk and Virginia. When he wasn’t fishing, it was not uncommon to see him riding. Jacobson was also known for his Corvettes, his Harley, and always having a German shepherd by his side.
Jacobson was married for 47 years to the love of his life, Lorraine. Together they had two daughters and two grandsons. Hy Jacobson passed away on September 20, 2025. Following his wishes, he was wrapped in a shroud and buried at sea off Montauk, where he spent so much of his life. He would always say, “I fed off of the fish, now they can feed off of me.” His absence will be deeply felt by all who knew him.
