Podcast: Two Sea Fans

Stone crabs are famous for their delicious claws, but Florida’s multi-million-dollar stone crab fishery has shown declines in recent years. Dr. Phil Gravinese, Mote Postdoctoral Research Fellow, shares his research focused on young stone crabs and the environmental changes that might affect them. Hayley finds a way to mention sea monkeys. Talk of a stone crab lab makes Joe hungry. But seriously: Stone crabs are critical to Florida’s culture and well deserving of the scientific spotlight. Tune in and learn more!

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Sick marine animals need a very special E.R. — should we call it a SEA-R.?  Mote’s animal hospitals have treated hundreds of sea turtles and dozens of dolphins and small whales — patients who arrive with no medical history, no health insurance and no ability to say where it hurts. Lynne Byrd, Mote's Medical Care & Rehabilitation Coordinator, tells Hayley and Joe about the detective work, extensive knowledge and dedicated attitude required to rehabilitate and release marine animals.

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Manatees Hugh and Buffett are science stars. As long-term residents of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, they are trained to participate in their own health care - such as giving a voluntary blood sample or being weighed - along with innovative research projects focused on manatee senses and physiology. Their lead trainer and caregiver, Mote Aquarium senior biologist Kat Boerner, explains why manatees are interesting, important and just plain weird. Hosts Joe and Hayley have different reactions when they learn how manatees got their name.

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A great way to help wild dolphins is to leave them alone - and we've got the research to back that up!  Dr. Katie McHugh of the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, a Chicago Zoological Society program in collaboration with Mote Marine Lab, tells Hayley and Joe what she's learned as a scientist in the world's longest running study of a wild dolphin population. Sarasota Bay, Florida, is one of many places where people and wild dolphins share the environment. Tune in to learn about the lives of these marine mammals and how humans - including boaters, anglers and coastal residents and visitors - can be good neighbors. That includes never feeding wild dolphins. Resources: Dolphin-friendly fishing and viewing tips Sarasota Dolphin Research Program: www.sarasotadolphin.org Report injured, dead or distressed marine mammals and sea turtles: In Sarasota and Manatee counties, Florida, Mote's Stranding Investigations Program: 888-345-2335 Anywhere in Florida: FWC Wildlife Alert hotline, 1 (888) 404-FWCC (3922). Elsewhere: See NOAA's stranding network phone numbers or get the smartphone app Dolphin and Whale 911.

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Coral reefs are critical to Florida’s economy, ecology and natural beauty, but reefs around the world are declining due to multiple threats. Mote staff scientist Erich Bartels tells Joe and Hayley about the latest efforts to monitor and restore coral reefs of the lower Florida Keys — including how you can help report reef conditions — and describes Mote’s coral nursery for reef restoration. He also shares experiences from working underwater: Guess which fish mistook his fingers for a snack...

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Dr. Emily Hall, manager of Mote's Ocean Acidification program, shares how the harmful chemistry change called ocean acidification (OA) is a growing challenge for marine ecosystems, including vital coral reefs. OA happens when excess carbon dioxide enters the ocean, causing the water to acidify. If you're a coral building a calcium carbonate skeleton: Watch out! OA may work like "osteoporosis of the sea" affecting your skeleton and your survival odds. Hall and colleagues want to know which marine life will be "winners" and "losers" in a more acidic ocean.

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Dip a hydrophone into the Gulf of Mexico and you’ll be eavesdropping on plenty of “chit chat.”  Many fish species make sounds, especially during important life history events such as mating. Dr. Jim Locascio, Manager of Mote’s Fisheries Habitat Ecology Program, plays some fish sounds and shares knowledge from his acoustic research.

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Mote Aquarium, an informal science education center in Sarasota, Florida, shares the research of Mote Marine Laboratory with the public and features animals native to Florida waters and other places where Mote works. Joe and Hayley learn from (and laugh with) Evan Barniskis, Assistant Vice President of Mote Aquarium, about what it takes to keep the Aquarium running, what stories Barniskis has accumulated during a decade with Mote and some specific ways the Aquarium shares Mote research.

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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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