Teen divers invited to join new SCUBAnauts International Sarasota chapter

February 15, 2017 Kaitlyn Fusco

Mote Marine Laboratory is excited to announce it will host the first-ever Sarasota area chapter of SCUBAnauts International, which guides young men and women, ages 12 through 18, along an exciting pathway for personal development by involving them in the marine sciences through underwater marine research activities such as special environmental and undersea conservation projects that build character, promote active citizenship and develop effective leadership skills.

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Feb. 23: Mote Science Café in Boca Grande to focus on human impacts of red tide

February 15, 2017 Kaitlyn Fusco

Florida red tide is caused by naturally occurring algae, and when its concentrations exceed normal “background” levels, people can experience varying degrees of eye, nose and throat irritation while at the shore or on the water. Many factors, including algae distribution, currents and winds, can determine whether effects are noticeable.

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Podcast: Blue hole explorer

February 14, 2017

Jim Culter, Manager of the Benthic Ecology Program at Mote, is a technical cave diver who ventures where few dare to go: into Florida’s underwater caves and sinkholes called blue holes. Jim tells Joe and Hayley what he’s learning, as the leader of the first scientific expeditions to several blue holes off west Florida. Also, Joe interrupts Hayley incessantly.

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Feeding wild dolphins can hurt them, new study says

February 13, 2017 Hayley Rutger

Wild dolphins are more likely to be injured if humans feed them — even through unintentional means like discarding bait — reports a new study based in Sarasota Bay, Florida, and published recently in the peer-reviewed journal Royal Society Open Science.

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Mote summer camp programs expand

February 9, 2017 Kaitlyn Fusco

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is excited to announce an expanded lineup of summer camps. Mote Summer Camp 2017 offers more opportunities for kids to learn about their local waters, from the beautiful Sarasota Bay to the Florida Keys, in a fun and engaging way. Registration is open now for summer camps from June-August. Ages range from pre-K through high school.

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House divided: Mote’s manatees predict different teams to win Super Bowl LI

February 1, 2017 Kaitlyn Fusco

Wednesday, Feb. 1, Mote's resident manatees, Hugh and Buffett, predicted the winner of the Super Bowl for the 10th year in a row. So, who will win the big game? Well, it depends on who you ask. Buffett, who has the better record, predicts that the Atlanta Falcons will win while Hugh predicts the New England Patriots will win.

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Podcast: When marine life strands, who you gonna call?

January 31, 2017

Mote’s Stranding Investigations Program responds 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, to reports of injured, sick or dead marine mammals and sea turtles in Mote’s local area, Sarasota and Manatee counties in southwest Florida. Gretchen Lovewell, Manager of this program, tells Hayley and Joe what it takes to rescue dolphins and other animals in need, what people can expect when they call Mote’s stranding pager, and about the occasional “false alarm” calls that add surprising humor to a challenging job. (To report stranded marine life in Sarasota and Manatee counties, call this program at 888-345-2335.)

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Mote scientist vows to restore one million corals before retirement

January 31, 2017 Kaitlyn Fusco

Mote scientists, including Vaughan, age 63, are leading efforts to understand why coral reefs are declining and how to bring them back in this lifetime. Mote raises thousands of fragments of staghorn coral, a threatened species, and plants them into the wild in cooperation with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Mote scientists are studying these coral fragments to find strains most likely to survive changing ocean conditions.  

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