Mote Marine Laboratory is one of the oldest marine research laboratories in Florida. Founded in 1955 as the Cape Haze Marine Laboratory in Placida, Florida, the Lab was later renamed to honor major benefactor William R. Mote and the lasting contributions he and his family made to our growth in both size and scientific reputation. Today, Mote’s primary research campus is located on City Island in Sarasota, Florida, alongside the newly opened Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA), which brings our world-class research to life for public audiences. With multiple additional locations across southwest Florida and the Florida Keys, Mote scientists conduct impactful marine research locally and around the globe.
A history of Mote Marine Laboratory, written by the organization’s longest-serving president, Dr. Kumar Mahadevan, who is today President Emeritus, was published in a special issue of the scientific journal Gulf of Mexico Science. This special issue of the journal was created to introduce readers from around the country to the breadth and depth of marine science that has been and continues to take place in the Gulf of Mexico.
An expanded version of this history is available here as a downloadable PDF.
