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From its humble beginnings as a one-room Lab in a small Florida town, Mote Marine Laboratory has expanded to include a 10.5-acre campus in Sarasota, Florida, with additional locations focused on research in east Sarasota County, Summerland Key and Islamorada, along with educational outreach exhibits in Islamorada and Key West. Florida's extensive coastline and marine and estuarine environments have enabled Mote scientists to thrive as a locally rooted, independent marine science institution with global reach.
Mote is dedicated to today’s research for tomorrow’s oceans with an emphasis on world-class science relevant to conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity, healthy habitats and natural resources. From its original focus on sharks, Mote research has expanded to include studies of human cancer using marine models, development of mitigation technologies to reduce Florida red tide impacts, science-powered efforts to restore resilient coral reefs, studies of wild fisheries and responsible fish restocking techniques, sustainable seafood production technologies and ocean technology development to help us better understand ocean ecosystems. Mote research programs also focus on understanding the population dynamics of sharks, sea turtles, manatees and other species, to inform effective conservation and management.
Mote Marine Laboratory is one of the world’s few remaining independent marine research laboratories, and as a nonprofit organization, Mote is funded through federal, state and local grants and through the generosity of individual donors and foundations. Over decades since Mote was created, the world has learned many things about its oceans. One lesson has remained constant: There is still much to discover.
Mote’s vision includes positively impacting public policy through science-based outreach and education. Showcasing this research is Mote Aquarium, open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 365 days a year.