Giving the oceans a voice
Return to section: Translate & transfer science for public service
Return to 2020 Annual Report index
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium programs featured here: Mote's Community Relations & Communications Department • Mote's Leadership
Stories on this page: Informing societal leaders • Sharing science with the world
More outreach and education stories are here: Championing education, diversity in science • Connecting re-Mote-ly during COVID-19 • Not just any aquarium
Even in this year of extraordinary logistical challenges and reduced travel, Mote Marine Laboratory President & CEO Dr. Michael P. Crosby and his fellow Mote staff gave a vital voice to our oceans, marine science, and informal science education—providing nearly 40 briefings for local to national government decision makers.
In addition, Mote organized 17 public forums on marine science-related topics this year—including forums held virtually to protect participants’ health amid COVID-19—far exceeding the 11 called for this year in Mote’s Beyond 2020 Vision & Strategic Plan.
National
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- Director of NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries John Armor
U.S. Environmental Protection Association (EPA)
- Office of Global Affairs and Policy staff
U.S. House of Representatives
- U.S. Representative Vern Buchanan
- U.S. Representative Charlie Crist
- U.S. Representative Stephanie Murphy
- U.S. Representative Dan Whitehouse
U.S. Senate
- Staff in the office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio
State
Executive Office of the Governor
- Governor Ron DeSantis
- Staff
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)
- Commissioner Nikki Fried
- Aquaculture Division Director Portia Sapp
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
- Secretary Noah Valenstein
- Staff
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
- Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Director Gil McRae
- Director Eric Sutton
Florida Legislature
- Charlotte County Legislative Delegation
- Manatee County Legislative Delegation
- Florida House of Representatives
- Rep. James Buchanan
- Rep. Margaret Good
- Rep. Tommy Gregory
- Rep. Holly Raschein
- Rep. Will Robinson
- Rep. Anthony Sabatini
- Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Chris Sprowls
- Florida Senate
- Sen. Debbie Mayfield
County
Manatee County
- Manatee County Commission
- Commissioner Vanessa Baugh
- Commissioner Misty Servia
- Manatee County Commission (meeting)
- Port Manatee
- Executive Director Carlos Buqueras
Sarasota County
- Sarasota County Commission
- Commissioner Al Maio
- Commissioner Mike Moran
- Commissioner Christian Ziegler
- Sarasota County Commission (meeting)
SHARING SCIENCE WITH THE WORLD
Mote’s communications efforts reached millions this year, particularly through TV programs. This year Mote staff were included in the nationally syndicated CBS show Mission Unstoppable, featuring women in STEM and targeted for children and teens, hosted by star Miranda Cosgrove. Mote’s segments premiered in early 2020 and continue to re-air on CBS stations across the country. Before the challenges of COVID-19 reduced in-person gatherings, Mote staff presented their traveling coral exhibit, “Sanctuary Reef,” at Super Bowl LIV in Miami, and they were included in a segment on The Weather Channel during that weekend.
Mote's research on blue holes in the Gulf of Mexico was the subject of an estimated 242 news stories that drew 850 million views. Learn more about our blue hole science here.