Joe Malbrough

Marine Superintendent

Joe Malbrough graduated from the University of Southwestern Louisiana with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Aquatic Biology and Fisheries and holds a USCG 500 Ton Masters License. He began his biology career as an underwater diving consultant conducting environmental sampling on oyster reefs and working with the La. Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries as a field researcher. He continued as a biologist for the Florida Marine Research Institute conducting research for a Fisheries Independent Monitoring Program. Joe worked aboard numerous fishing vessels for both sport and commercial industries before pursuing a full-time job as a supply boat captain in the Gulf. Eventually, he found his way aboard the R/V Pelican during a chance visit to LUMCON and a meeting with the marine superintendent, Steve Rabalais. He began working full time for LUMCON in January 1999 as Captain of the R/V Pelican. After five years, he became Port Captain, then was eventually named Marine Superintendent. In 2015, he took on the position of the Marine Center Superintendent overseeing the DeFelice Marine Center and Fourchon Marine Laboratory. Joe has represented LUMCON as the UNOLS Research Vessel Committee Chair and is currently Vice Chair of the Science Oversight Committee for OSU’s RCRV Design and Construction Program.