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Areas of Research

Conservation, Restoration & Monitoring

Today's Research for Tomorrow's Oceans

Sharks, sea turtles, manatees, corals and other iconic species enrich our lives—and Mote is dedicated to saving theirs. With decades of wildlife research and new studies unfolding every day, Mote helps natural resource managers sustain these species for generations to come.

Mote has been studying nesting sea turtles on Longboat Key through Venice, Florida, since 1982. Our findings support conservation of these threatened and endangered reptiles.

Mote is leading international shark conservation efforts by expanding the world’s largest reef shark survey, Global FinPrint.

Mote scientists have documented Florida manatee populations for decades using photo-ID techniques and airplane-based surveys. Our findings help reveal population trends and support conservation.

By the Numbers

5736
sea turtle nests documented in 2025

by Mote scientists and volunteers on beaches from Longboat Key through Venice, Florida—setting a new record at Mote.

+1000
seagrasses grown

by Mote scientists and interns at the Ron & Marla Wolf Seagrass Restoration Center for Ocean Sustainability. These plants contributed to research projects and the seagrass genetic library.

98%
of the dried shark & ray fin trade

is now subject to international regulations after 72 shark & ray species are afforded new global protections. This major advance in conservation was aided by Mote science & capacity building over the past year.

130
hours of manatee aerial survey time

via 35 flights conducted in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

17th
anniversary of Mote’s whitespotted eagle ray research

Since 2009, 733 rays have been sampled with 136 tagged with acoustic transmitters in Sarasota Bay, Florida.

2786
sea turtle hatchlings

treated by Mote’s Hatchling Hospital during 2025 nesting season.

RESEARCH

Local Sea Turtle Nest Counts

The dorsal fin of a white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) offshore of southwest Florida

Centers of Excellence

Each Center of Excellence brings together Mote scientists, often with external partners, to focus on pressing topics in marine science, conservation and education.