COVID-19 updates from Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium

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COVID-19 updates from Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium

As part of our continued commitment to the safety of our guests, Mote Aquarium Staff and Volunteers, and out of an abundance of caution, Mote Aquarium is temporarily closed to the public, effective March 16, 2020, until further notice. Regular updates of Mote Aquarium operations status will be available at either 941-388-4441 or on this page. If you purchased tickets online for a day when Mote Aquarium is closed, your tickets will be refunded. If you have any questions, please email: info@mote.org.

In addition, we are extending all Mote memberships to reflect the length of Mote Aquarium's temporary closure. In the meantime, renewing your membership or starting a new one will help us care for our animals and continue our mission: mote.org/membership

Updates:

As of March 26:
- Join us for virtual programming on social media! #ClosedButStillCaring
  Our team here at Mote continues working hard to care for marine animals and lead science and education efforts to benefit our oceans. While Mote Aquarium remains temporarily closed, we're bringing the oceans to you, digitally!
  
  Visit Mote's Facebook page (@MoteMarineLab) for these regularly scheduled virtual events, activities and adventures:
  - Mondays at 11 a.m.:
    ReMote Experiments
    Join us for family-friendly, at-home experiments guided by Dr. Tracy Fanara of Mote Marine Laboratory! #ReMoteExperiments #ExploreIndoors
  - Tuesdays at 4 p.m.:
    Adventures of Cecil the terrapin
    Cecil the diamondback terrapin will explore Mote Aquarium. Tune in for turtle-y awesome adventures! #ReverseTurtlePatrol
  - Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.:
    Shark live feed
    Watch our team feed the sharks in Mote Aquarium and enjoy a special narration.
  - Thursdays at 4 p.m.:
    #ReMote Happy Hour with our resident animals
    Adults can kick back with a cold one, and everyone can enjoy a live peek at Mote Aquarium’s amazing animals!
  - Fridays at 11 a.m.:
    Virtual tour of “Savage Ancient Seas”
    Mote’s Ross Johnston will introduce you to the amazing skeletons of huge, extinct, Cretaceous predators in this special visiting collection at Mote.
    #FossilFriday
As of March 25:
- Mote’s 34th Annual Run for the Turtles (originally April 4) has been postponed. As soon as responsibly possible, we will announce a new date. Support of this event remains welcome and vital for the Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Program at Mote Marine Laboratory. Sponsorships and registrations will be carried forward to the new scheduled event.
- All items below remain in effect.
As of March 19:
- Mote's onsite education programs in Sarasota and the Florida Keys are cancelled through April 15, in line with closures of Florida public schools.
- The Youth Ocean Conservation Summit on April 25 in the Florida Keys is cancelled.
- All items below remain in effect.
As of March 18:
- Mote’s Party on the Pass (originally March 20) will be postponed. As soon as responsibly possible, we will announce a new date. Your support of this event remains welcome and vital for our rescue and rehabilitation of marine animals.
  Sponsorships and tickets can be carried forward to the new scheduled event.
- Tours are temporarily cancelled at Mote campuses, including our regular public tours at the Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration.
- Mote Ocean Fest in Key West (originally March 28) is postponed. As soon as responsibly possible, we will announce a new date.
- We are working on a modified schedule of education programs, and increasing our digital programs so we can continue sharing our passion for healthy oceans, and our appreciation of community, with you!
- The Mote team invites you to keep the ocean conversation going on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and enjoy our live manatee cam and otter cam!
March 16:
- Mote Aquarium is temporarily closed to the public, effective March 16, 2020, until further notice.
- Letter from Mote's President & CEO, Dr. Michael P. Crosby