Amber Bankes
Amber is a lifetime resident of Sarasota and Manatee Counties, with a strong knowledge and passion for the local waterways and marine life. You can likely find her on the water every weekend! Before deciding to follow...
Eve Iavarone
During her time at the University of Florida, Eve studied abroad in Sorrento, Italy. There, she worked in the Marine Protected Area of Punta Campanella to protect the oldest seagrass species in the Mediterranean Sea, Posidonia oceanica....
Sarasota Research Campuses
About Sarasota Mote Research With two research facilities in Sarasota county, Mote is studying marine science like never before. From its original focus on sharks, Mote research has expanded to include studies of human cancer...
Mote science highlights decline of Goliath grouper population in new study
According to newly published data in the international, peer-reviewed scientific journal Fishes, Goliath grouper, an ecologically vital species, have experienced population...
Mote releases sea turtle “Steve” with satellite tag to improve conservation efforts
Thursday morning, June 1, Mote Marine Laboratory released a male loggerhead sea turtle, nicknamed "Steve," that has been outfitted with a satellite tag by Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch, which provides data critical for sea turtle...
Mote Marine Laboratory and The Florida Aquarium collaborate in successful rehabilitation efforts
Mote Marine Laboratory and The Florida Aquarium are thrilled to announce the release of two rescued loggerhead sea turtles nicknamed, "Valerie" and "Mahomes," at Anna Maria Bayfront Park Tuesday morning, May 30. This momentous...
Mote partners with Sarasota County to improve water quality of Alligator Creek
Portions of this press release are derived from Sarasota County. Sarasota County received a $14.5M grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal...
Opal Collection partners with Mote to support cutting-edge coral restoration efforts
On June 8, in honor of World Ocean Day, Opal has bought and is gifting 3,000 Coral Legend Bracelets to guests across all of their Florida properties. But this is more than just a bracelet. A portion of the proceeds from the purchase...
Mote returns two rehabilitated sea turtles to the big blue
Two loggerhead sea turtles, nicknamed “Lilly” and “Farmer,” were released from Lido Beach on Tuesday, May 16, after recovering from red tide toxins at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital. “Lilly”...
Mote welcomes ‘Voyage to the Deep’ exhibition Feb. 19
The temporary exhibition featured in this story has since concluded. Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is proud to announce its newest temporary exhibition, “Voyage to the Deep,” presented by Flying...
Innovative incubator to jumpstart efforts to control harmful algal blooms
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is partnering with the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) in a new $7.5 million grant from NOAA to lead an innovative U.S. Harmful Algal Bloom Control Technologies...
SEA Trek program receives recognition from Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration
Mote is pleased to announce that the SEA Trek program has received another Pinnacle Award from the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC). The Pinnacle Award is given...
Mote’s partnership with The Haven going strong, thanks to grant from the Community Foundation
Thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is partnering with The Haven, a local nonprofit offering programs and services for children and adults with disabilities. The...
New surgical table at Mote Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital thanks to local foundations
Special animals require special equipment, and thanks to a pair of grants from local community foundations, Mote’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital will be even better equipped to serve the region’s turtle patients. Community...
Mote welcomes new Trustee
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is proud to welcome Dr. Andrew Economos as a new member of the Mote Board of Trustees. A Sarasota native, Dr. Economos retired from a successful career in computing technology for pioneering applications...
Mote receives generous holiday donation from Longboat Key Turtle Watch
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium received a generous holiday gift from Longboat Key Turtle Watch. The donation of close to $10,000 will be used to support a number of Mote programs related to helping local sea turtles, including...
Mote releases loggerhead patient Rosemary from hospital after rehab
On the last day of November, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium sent off our loggerhead patient Rosemary. Rosemary was found stranded on the beach near Manasota Key Road in Englewood on October 29, 2021. Examination showed that...
Mote leader provides water quality briefing for Florida Delegation in D.C.
During a Congressional hearing of the Florida Delegation in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 3, 2021, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s President & CEO Dr. Michael P. Crosby was invited to provide his expert testimony regarding...
Aquariums come together to release sea turtle hatchlings
Over 40 tiny bundles of joy were released into the ocean following rehab at two southwest Florida aquariums Over the past week, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium took over 40 sea turtle hatchlings offshore to be...
Take action to help marine life: Mote’s Stranding Investigations Program
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s Stranding Investigation Program responds to calls of “stranded” (i.e., injured or deceased) sea turtles, manatees, dolphins and whales in Sarasota and Manatee county areas. We are experiencing...
Snook releases in early June help to replenish dwindling populations
Over the course of a few releases in early June, Mote Marine Laboratory scientists released 1,440 hatchery-reared juvenile snook into Phillippi Creek, a local estuary system important for this species. This is part of an ongoing research...
Mote-led program for diversity in marine science wraps up successful first year – 2020 Annual Report
This story is a highlight from our 2020 Annual Report. Fifteen bright interns have moved closer to fulfilling science careers and more than 40 mentors and allies...
Mote is growing, and not just our Aquarium – 2020 Annual Report
This story is a highlight from our 2020 Annual Report. It’s been the talk of the town for some time in southwest Florida: Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium...
Achieving fin-tastic firsts with sharks, rays, fisheries – 2020 Annual Report
This story is a highlight from Mote's 2020 Annual Report. SUSTAINING FISHERIES—GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT ON MOTE In November 2019, Mote...
From rescues to research: Sea turtle & marine mammal updates – 2020 Annual Report
This story is a highlight from Mote's 2020 Annual Report. NO SHUTDOWN FOR MARINE LIFE In 2020, COVID-19 interrupted life as we know...
From rescues to research: Sea turtle & marine mammal updates – 2020 Annual Report
This story is a highlight from Mote's 2020 Annual Report. NO SHUTDOWN FOR MARINE LIFE In...
Federal grant to help Mote, partners continue to restore and save Florida’s Coral Reef
Coral Restoration Project at Eastern Dry Rocks Awarded $5 Million Grant The project will strengthen coastal resilience, revitalize critical fish and wildlife habitat, and engage the community as part of NOAA’s Mission:...
Mote breaks ground at future site for Mote Science Education Aquarium
A bold vision is one shovel closer to reality today, as Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium officially broke ground for the new Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA) at Nathan Benderson...
Turtle tracks: Where in the world are Mote’s tagged sea turtles?
Male sea turtles are notoriously difficult to study: Once a male hatchling leaves the nest, there is no reason for him to return to the shore. Therefore, one of the few chances to study males up-close is when they need to be rescued...
It’s electric! Recharge your car during a visit to Mote Aquarium
Mote Aquarium’s electric vehicle charging stations are part of FPL’s EV charging initiative – FPL EVolution – to accelerate the electrification of transportation in Florida and reduce carbon emissions. Celebrate