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Mote Aquarium on City Island, Sarasota, is closed to visitors as we turn our full attention toward preparing to open Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA).
FAQ about Mote SEA
Mote Contributor
Kathryn Gentile

A hammerhead shark species discovered by scientists finally has a name and its namesake is the late Paul G. Allen, philanthropist and co-founder of Microsoft.
The existence of the new species, Sphyrna alleni, was hidden because it looks so similar to another species, the bonnethead shark, Sphyrna...
Mote Marine Laboratory is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a substantial grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation to support an innovative project aimed at enhancing marine animal tracking through the use of advanced artificial intelligence...
In a remarkable advancement for coral conservation, Mote Marine Laboratory has successfully achieved the spawning of Eusmilia fastigiata, commonly known as smooth flower coral, with parent colonies settled just 22 months prior under managed care.
The original corals were received in March 2022 as...
Tropical Storm Debby’s recent passage through the Gulf of Mexico had a significant ecological impact on Sarasota Bay and the associated coastal environment. However, the question remains as to whether the immediate impacts over days to weeks will have longer-term ramifications for these ecosystems...
Mote Marine Laboratory is proud to announce that it has been awarded a grant of $9,752.75 from the Sea Turtle Grants Program, funded by the sale of Florida’s sea turtle license plates. This grant will support the purchase of seven submeter GPS units to enhance the accuracy of nest staking and restaking...
Mote Marine Laboratory joined forces with Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge (CWVC) and SCUBAnauts International divers in late June to advance coral reef restoration in the Florida Keys. The combined teams embarked on a vital mission to expand and strengthen the coral nurseries so Mote can pursue broader...
Mote Marine Laboratory is pleased to announce that over $400,000 has been awarded from this year’s Protect Our Reefs (POR) License Plate Grant Program. Sales of the POR specialty license plate provides funds that are administered by Mote to support new and ongoing Florida Coral Reef research, restoration,...
SARASOTA, Fla (May 21, 2024) – Marine protected areas (MPAs), areas that provide legal protection to important marine and coastal ecosystems, often have more reef sharks compared to non-protected areas, but according to a new study in Nature Ecology and Evolution by researchers of Curtin University,...
Mote Marine Laboratory scientists are champions of coral reef science, conservation and restoration. Their hard work was highlighted on April 24, 2024, during season 3 episode 1 of the PBS series Changing Planet.
Watch the clip below to learn about Mote's efforts to test new coral disease treatments....
On Friday, April 5, 2024, Mote Marine Laboratory (Mote) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) responded to a distressed smalltooth sawfish after a member of the public called the sawfish hotline and reported the animal swimming in circles in Cudjoe Bay in the Florida Keys. During...