Oct. 25: Free mullet documentary screening featuring Mote scientists
An Eat Local Week event
The public is invited to attend a free screening of the film “Mullet: A Tale of Two Fish”, followed by an expert panel discussion, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25 at the Mote's WAVE Center.
The one-hour TV documentary is a production of WGCU Public Media and tells the long and storied history of one of Florida’s most underappreciated fish including its importance as a food source for Native Americans, Spanish explorers and early Florida pioneers. The program also explores the rise and fall of Florida’s commercial mullet fishing industry in the 20th century.
Panelists will include Dr. Kenneth Leber, associate vice president for research and program manager of Mote's Fisheries Ecology and Enhancement; Dr. Kevan Main, program manager of Mote's Marine & Freshwater Aquaculture Research Program; two time James Beard Nominated Chef Steve Phelps of Indigenous Restaurant; Ed Chiles of Chiles Restaurant Group and partner in the Anna Maria Fish Company; and local fisherman Nathan Meschelle.
Leber occupies the Charles M. Breder Chair, which was established at Mote to support the study of the biology, behavior and conservation of fishes. He is directing a multi-disciplinary research center that includes studies of fish population ecology, marine stock enhancement, marine aquaculture, fish dispersal, age and growth patterns, habitat requirements, habitat selection and current problems in fisheries management.
Main directs research at Mote Aquaculture Park, the Lab’s 200-acre sustainable fish farming research facility in eastern Sarasota County. There, scientists are developing innovative ways to farm marine fish for food and stock enhancement. Main and her colleagues have worked to develop sustainable spawning and/or rearing technologies for numerous species.
The White House recently recognized Main as a “Champion of Change for Sustainable Seafood.” To read more of about this honor, read our recent press release.
This screening is part of Eat Local Week.
Mullet: A Tale of Two Fish is a production of WGCU Public Media with support from West Island Coast Navigation District, Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel, and the estate of Patrick and Rosalie LaSala.