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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

+103000
snook released

by Mote scientists in partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission from 1997–2024 to develop fisheries enhancement strategies.

59
commercial fishing trips

documented this year through Mote's efforts to improve data for Gulf of Mexico fisheries management.

1255
pounds of undersized grouper documented

from 5 commercial fishing trips with Mote's electronic monitoring systems under a NOAA Exempted Fishing Permit, testing "optimized retention" strategy to efficiently harvest certain undersized fish that are at greater risk of perishing if discarded.

+230000
catch events

documented by the Center for Fisheries Electronic Monitoring at Mote between 2016 and late 2024. to optimize responsible fisheries enhancement practices. These efforts are in partnership with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with support from Salt Strong.

850
common snook released

by Mote scientists in 2024 to help identify the best release times, locations and approaches for fisheries enhancement. study published this year in the journal Fishes

1
New web app developed by Mote scientists

will help fishers documented unwanted interactions with sharks and marine mammals to support conservation and efficient fishing.

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.