The future of coral reef restoration depends on science and collaboration

September 22, 2023 Kaitlyn Fusco
The future of coral reef restoration depends on science and collaboration

Florida’s Coral Reef experienced record-breaking heat waves during the summer of 2023 caused by unusually high seawater temperatures that started early in the season, resulting in mass coral bleaching in certain areas. Florida’s reef managers, scientists, conservation organizations and reef users, sounded the alarm and worked collectively to protect restoration investments, to preserve genetic diversity, and to enact monitoring to better understand the extent and potential impacts of the bleaching. 

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Mote saves thousands of endangered corals amidst extreme high-water temps

August 7, 2023 Kaitlyn Fusco

As Florida’s Coral Reef experienced record-breaking heat waves starting in July, with temperatures in adjacent backreef areas reaching temperatures above 100°F, Mote Marine Laboratory immediately began an unprecedented evacuation of thousands of stressed and dying coral from its four offshore coral nurseries.

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Mote Science Education Aquarium’s largest exhibit comes to life

July 25, 2023 Kaitlyn Fusco

On Tuesday, July 25, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium announced a milestone advancement in the construction of its new Science Education Aquarium as Mote staff and a wave of Mote SEA corporate sponsors witnessed a large piece of an acrylic window as it was installed into the new aquarium’s largest exhibit, the Gulf of Mexico habitat.

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Mote to announce establishment of voluntary Sea Turtle Protection Zone in Sarasota County

July 5, 2023 Sean Stover

Mote Marine Laboratory is pleased to announce the establishment of a voluntary Sea Turtle Protection Zone (STPZ) in Sarasota County. Its main focus is to protect sea turtles from unintended boat strikes. The Sea Turtle Protection Zone initiative was created in 2021 through a partnership between the Loggerhead Marinelife Center and the Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research at the University of Florida. Mote Marine Laboratory scientists documented boat-strike hotspots in local waters and mapped the voluntary Sea Turtle Protection Zone for this area. The zone stretches from Longboat Key to Siesta Key, including Sarasota Bay, and extends from shore to 1.5 miles offshore.

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