Sharky’s on the Pier supports research at Mote
Photo: Sharky's on the Pier presents Mote with a donation to support its research. Left to right: Dr. Michael P. Crosby, Mote President and CEO, and Emma Kate Scovill, Marketing Director at Sharky's on the Pier, Fins at Sharky's and Snook Haven. (Credit: Mote Marine Laboratory.)
On Friday, Aug. 14, Sharky’s on the Pier donated $1,100 to help advance Mote Marine Laboratory's research. The donation will be split evenly among four Mote research programs: Ecotoxicology, Sea Turtle Conservation and Research, Coral Reef Restoration and Fisheries Habitat Ecology.
Mote’s Ecotoxicology Program focuses on investigating the source, fate and effects of toxic substances in the environment, including natural biotoxins (harmful algal toxins) and chemical pollutants (pesticides, petroleum, industrial contaminants and pharmaceuticals).
The Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program at Mote coordinates conservation of endangered sea turtles along 35 miles of Sarasota County beaches.
Mote’s Coral Reef Restoration Program develops restoration techniques for coral reefs, which are critical "rainforests of the sea." Reefs are threatened by stressors such as coral diseases and coral bleaching.
The Fisheries Habitat Ecology Program at Mote focuses on studying how fishes interact with their habitats and how man-made and natural disturbances influence these interactions.
“What the scientists involved in these four programs do is right in line with our vision,” said Emma Kate Scovill, Marketing Director at Sharky's on the Pier, Fins at Sharky's and Snook Haven. “We love Mote and support the innovative science and research. We support local, sustainable food and we serve Mote’s red drum that was farmed at the aquaculture park. We’re all about farm-to-table and supporting and using local resources."
On Sunday, July 12, Sharky's on the Pier was awarded second place in floridabeachbar.com’s 2015 Top 10 Florida Beach Bars competition. To celebrate, Sharky’s on the Pier held a beach bash party with a $5 entry fee. Proceeds from the ticket sales were donated to Mote Marine Laboratory.
"Mote is grateful for the support of Sharky's at the Pier," said Dr. Michael P. Crosby, Mote President & CEO. "This donation will be used to advance research in four of Mote's 25 diverse research programs dedicated to today's research for tomorrow's oceans. As a completely independent, nonprofit research institution, Mote would not have conducted our research for 60 years without the support of our community. With this gift, Sharky's at the Pier is helping support our Oceans of Opportunity Campaign for the future of Mote, and we could not be more thankful."