Visitors to mote.org saw an exciting transformation on June 10, 2024, when Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium launched its new website! 

The new site is a living and continually evolving window into Mote’s vital mission. It features a refreshed look, vastly improved functionality, and a wide variety of new features to explore.

This website was two years in the making, built through the successful partnership of Mote and Big Sea. 

Mote is an independent, nonprofit marine science and education institution founded in 1955 with campuses across Florida and research that spans the globe. Big Sea is a digital marketing, web development, and creative agency based in Tampa Bay and Asheville that has empowered mission-based organizations to amplify their purpose for nearly 20 years.

Mote sincerely thanks all those who made the new website a reality: 

  • Hayley Rutger, Creative Content Manager at Mote
  • Emma McIntyre, Content Coordinator at Mote
  • Alexis Crabtree, Senior Manager of Creative Services at Mote
  • Kevin Cooper, VP of Communications & Strategic Initiatives at Mote
  • Henry Luciano, Director of IS at Mote
  • Chasity Scoggins, VP of Operations at Big Sea
  • Melissa Cozart, Director of Development at Big Sea
  • Kristen Quinley, AVP of Digital & Brand at Big Sea
  • Jaime Fogel, Director of Mote’s Arthur Vining Davis Library & Archives
  • Kevin Toshner, Graphic Designer at Mote
  • Neal Bilow, Jason McKenzie and the team at Terentia
  • Lauren Wilkerson, Mote Volunteer
  • Dawn Werner, Mote Volunteer
  • Diane Fogel, Mote Volunteer
  • Countless other staff at Mote and Big Sea who contributed their expertise throughout the project. 

New website highlights

Here are just a few of the many upgrades you can explore on the new mote.org:

  • Six new pages called “Areas of Research” invite the public to explore Mote science by discovering our latest news, stats, photo galleries, and more. mote.org/research 
  • The new page mote.org/visit highlights Mote’s growing list of attractions and activities in the Sarasota-Manatee area and the Florida Keys.
  • Mote’s new Animal Encyclopedia (mote.org/animal-encyclopedia) invites people of all ages to learn fun facts about the species living in our Aquarium, studied by Mote scientists, or found in the ocean systems where we work.
  • A new clickable map (mote.org/research/#map) shows where Mote scientists are working around the world. 
  • Marine scientists and the general public have more ways to find our latest peer-reviewed scientific papers and learn about the scientists behind them. 
    • Our new publications page (mote.org/research/publications/) is designed to help visitors search for Mote research paper citations through the years. This page features many of our latest publications and will continue to be updated. Please check back as we continue to add citations from our collection dating back to the 1930s. 
    • An upgraded directory of Mote staff is available at mote.org/staff, and the new page mote.org/research/staff is designed to help our scientific peers connect with Mote Ph.D. scientists, research program managers, and others who lead research and technology development at Mote.
  • Mote’s Signature Events are featured on a timeless and elegant new page. People and businesses that seek to support the oceans and reach Mote audiences can find event sponsorship opportunities year-round. 
  • The new website is easier to navigate thanks to a new “mega menu” strategically sorted by topic to help every visitor find what they are looking for.