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Areas of Research

Fisheries & Aquaculture

Today's Research for Tomorrow's Oceans

Ocean resources sustain people and economies worldwide—but only if we sustain them. Mote scientists develop technology to produce sustainable, aquaculture-farmed seafood, and we pioneer research to replenish wild fisheries.

Mote scientists raise and responsibly release sportfishes vital to Florida’s economy to help boost populations affected by Florida red tide and other challenges. We also work to fill data gaps on snapper, grouper and other species that must be sustainably managed balance the needs of commercial fisheries and conservation.

We develop technology to farm saltwater animals and plants sustainably. That means cleaning and recycling water, using nutrients from fish culture to fertilize plant crops, and finding other innovative methods to empower food production and conservation together.

By the Numbers

27877
snook released

throughout the Sarasota Bay region this year—the largest snook release in Mote’s history.

749
fishing trips

documented since 2016 through Mote's efforts to improve data for the Gulf of America this year.

2700
hours of underwater video station footage reviewed

as part of the Global FinPrint Project to assess shark and ray population health around the world.

267448
catch events

documented by the Center for Fisheries Electronic Monitoring at Mote since 2016.

+10
year study on snook stock enhancement published

summarizing 25 stocking experiments that together released 51,074 juvenile snook into local waters and monitored their survival to inform best practices.

1st
study published testing an electronic pulse device

to help fishers deter sharks from stealing their catch and reduce conflict between people and these ocean predators.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT

Fisheries Electronic Monitoring

Left to right: Portable electronic monitoring unit case with processor and monitor, GPS, cameras, marine battery, a SeaSucker vacuum camera mount

Centers of Excellence

Center for Fisheries Electronic Monitoring at Mote

CFEMM is the only program dedicated to developing and assessing electronic monitoring (EM) technology as a tool in the Gulf of Mexico commercial reef fish fishery to better meet the demand by industry and management for accurate, independent data to ensure long-term fishery health.