News & Press

Mote Marine Laboratory scientists are launching a new, underwater spawning nursery for elkhorn coral, with the goal of strategically breeding and restoring this rapidly declining, native species that is at risk of disappearing from Florida’s Coral Reef in our lifetime.

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Our Medical Care & Rehabilitation Coordinator Lynne Byrd returns to the podcast to share stories of the sea turtles being treated in Mote Marine Laboratory's Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital! During this recording on March 31, 2020, many were working from home because of COVID-19, while marine wildlife responders like Lynne and her team continued their essential roles of treating animals in critical condition. Hosts Hayley and Joe joined Lynne for a wonderful conversation—sitting a good distance apart but enjoying the amazing shared experience of talking about sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation and release. Lynne and her colleagues in Mote's Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital and Stranding Investigations Program are a ray of light even in the most challenging times.  Tune in for this fun, fascinating conversation, and get ready for more episodes of Two Sea Fans in the coming weeks!

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As our communities scramble to cope with COVID-19, ocean scientists are working with similar fervor to help ecosystems that depend upon us—coral reefs, the “rainforests of the sea”—fight their own disease battle. This month, a team of scientists led by Mote Marine Laboratory’s Dr. Erinn Muller published the largest-scale, peer-reviewed epidemiological study to date on the unprecedented and deadly outbreak of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) across multiple years throughout Florida’s Coral Reef.

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With assistance from a private citizen and local law enforcement, Mote rescued a loggerhead sea turtle, nicknamed Joyce.

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Despite some changes to Mote operations, Mote’s hospital team is still dedicated to saving local marine life.

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As part of our continued commitment to the safety of our guests, Mote Aquarium Staff and Volunteers, and out of an abundance of caution, Mote Aquarium is temporarily closed to the public, effective March 16, 2020, until further notice. Regular updates of Mote Aquarium operations status will be available at either 941-388-4441 or on this page.  

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Dr. Jim Locascio is studying common snook along beaches that experienced major fish kills due to Florida red tide in 2018, to help understand the status of these popular sportfish following this major challenge. Lately, that research has included an uncommon tool: a flying drone that offers a bird's-eye view of these fish in the shallows. In this episode, Dr. Locascio tells hosts Joe and Hayley how he's applying this tool and others, and he shares what he's learning about snook in the wake of red tide.

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Dr. Hanna Koch has been given many nicknames, including "coral matchmaker" and "coral fertility doctor." She's conducting managed breeding efforts with threatened coral species, part of the coral reef science and restoration mission of Mote Marine Laboratory scientists in the Florida Keys. In this episode of "Two Sea Fans," Koch explains where coral babies come from, how scientists are helping native corals reproduce sexually in a controlled setting, and why sexual reproduction is so important for providing fresh genetics to coral populations that are struggling in the wild. Tune in and add some science to your Valentine's Day! Koch is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the German Research Foundation and Visiting Research Scientist at Mote’s Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration (IC2R3).

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Mote Marine Laboratory’s President & CEO joined Florida’s Governor, state agency leaders and partners at all levels to raise awareness for coral reefs on Jan. 30 in Miami, where Mote’s traveling exhibit Sanctuary Reef was also stationed to educate crowds gathering for Super Bowl LIV.

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