Spring 2020 Mote Magazine`

S P R I N G

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RED TIDE MITIGATION Longtime quest, new frontiers

PROTECT & SERVE

SAVAGE ANCIENT SEAS

SHARKS TODAY

Law enforcement teams help Mote rescue animals

Marine predator fossils aren't for the spineless

Shark surveys keep tabs on changing populations

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SPRING 2020 • VOLUME 83 INFO: 941-388-4441

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MOTE.ORG

Mote Magazine (ISSN 1553-1104) is published by Mote Marine Laboratory, a world-class nonprofit organization devoted to the ocean and its future.

Through marine science stories, Mote hopes to enhance ocean literacy among the public and encourage conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.

PRESIDENT & CEO Michael P. Crosby, Ph.D. EDITOR Hayley Rutger

08 SHARKS, THEN & NOW

Mote shark science that began 65 years ago swims into 2020, enhanced by a consortium studying sharks, tunas and other valuable but vulnerable, open-water fishes.

DESIGN DIRECTOR Alexis Crabtree CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS/ILLUSTRATORS

Hazel Robinson, Hayley Rutger

PHOTO BY: HAYLEY RUTGER

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Lauren Hughey, Stephannie Kettle, Mote's Stranding Investigations Program staff, Hayley Rutger, Samantha Schubert CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Allison Baird, Conor Goulding, Dr. Phil Gravinese, Rebeccah Hazelkorn, Stacey Hines, images and videos/Adobe Stock, Shelby Isaacson, Stephannie Kettle, Molly Koleczek, Andrei Kukla/ Adobe Stock, Limolida Studio/Adobe Stock, Dr. Carl Luer, Lysenko.A/Adobe Stock, Miguel Montalvo, Mote Marine Laboratory Macroalgae Herbarium, ooddysmile/Adobe Stock, Cristian Palmer, Hayley Rutger, Savage Ancient Seas, Samantha Schubert

On the cover Cody Cole helps with field studies adding context to red tide mitigation studies.

Story: Page 21 Photo by: Hayley Rutger

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06 REAL SEA MONSTERS "Savage Ancient Seas" exhibit takes Mote visitors back in time C OV E R STO RY

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RED TIDE "TOOLBOX" Multifaceted science to mitigate a complex challenge CRAB CAUSE Science to address stone crab population challenges

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MOTE MILESTONES Banner year for coral restoration; omega-3 supplement benefiting reefs, rescued corals in Mote Aquarium

22 MOTE LEGACY SOCIETY SPOTLIGHT Meet Susan and Don Featherman 23 SPECIAL EVENTS A sneak peek at Mote's upcoming events

18 AMAZING RAYS Stingray safety tips and venom research ILLUSTRATION BY: HAYLEY RUTGER

Mote Magazine is proud to recognize Sarasota Magazine as its publishing partner. For information on sponsorship, please contact Sarasota Magazine at 941-487-1100.

03 OFFICERS & RESCUERS Mote rescues wildlife with help from law enforcement agencies

WILDLIFE RECOVERY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

RESCUERS

IN BLUE Local law enforcement agencies help Mote rescue distressed marine life MOTE’S STRANDING INVESTIGATIONS PROGRAM REPORTS FROM THE FIELD

Mote's Strandin g Investigation s Program Mana well coordinate ger s a re co ve ry w Sergeant Kent ith Sarasota Po on Montegna a lic e nd Lieutenant Bruce King.

Gretchen Love

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n early June 2018, Sarasota County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Watson and Sarasota Police Department Officer Mike Skinner were each out on their patrol boat when they both responded to a call for a rescue 150 yards off Siesta Key. It wasn’t a citizen in trouble, but a floating, lethargic loggerhead sea turtle.

Armed with training the two had previously received from Mote Marine Laboratory’s Stranding Investigations Program, Officer Skinner and Deputy Watson sprang into action, bringing the animal onto one of their boats and transporting it to Mote’s team at Ken Thompson Park boat ramp. A few months later, the turtle, nicknamed “Tootsie Roll,” had been medically cleared from Mote’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital and was released into the Gulf of Mexico by none other than its rescuers: Officer Skinner and Deputy Watson.

might be able to reach an animal before Mote can, or they can assist in crowd control during a rescue on the beach. If the animal is out of range or the weather is too bad for the team’s 13-foot boat, law enforcement is the go-to for a lift. Agencies also become an extension of Mote’s educational outreach, teaching boaters and the community how to spot animals in the water and other safe animal-viewing tips.

Yearly, the Stranding Ivestigations team and colleagues from the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (a Chicago Zoological Society program in partnership with and based at Mote) conduct a multi-agency training, teaching officers and deputies from throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties tactics for responding to distressed turtles, manatees, and dolphins. Officers learn how to tow large deceased animals, how to properly r ne lift turtles, and more. fficer Skin

tson & O

Deputy Wa

Precious time and resources can make a world of difference for Mote’s Stranding Investigations Program that responds to distressed and deceased marine life 24/7, and often, it’s local law enforcement agencies that are ready to assist. Marine patrol units

In addition to the training, the personal relationship between the Stranding Investigations team and law enforcement has proven key to the partnership. “They’re very much an extension of our team,” said Gretchen Lovewell, Stranding Investigations Program Manager. “We know the officers we work with so well that we send holiday notes. We know they care a lot about helping us help our local animals.” 

Turn the page to see some memorable stranding responses made possible by the efforts of local law enforcement!

WILDLIFE RECOVERY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

Sarasota Cou nty Sheriff’s O ffice (SCSO)

Aug. 10, 2014

| Caspersen Beach

A live dolphi n in distress was reported af ter hours, to Mote and due to th e distance to dolphin’s loca the tion, SCSO w as called in to Marine Patrol assist.

Deputy Mike Watson arrive scene to help d on with crowd co ntrol and su the dolphin in pport the water unti l Mote and pa arrived. The do rtners lphin unfortun ately had bitt more than it en off could chew: A large fish bone punctured th had e dolphin’s es ophagus.

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t (VPD

rtmen e Depa

r not nea tle was r u d t e t e g is ass he lar l Joyce el Park anal. T u ig e c a H h P a t r , | in e b rtle e La Offic , 2019 k at th o VPD d sea tu c s e a s , Nov. 10 b a le e n t c r u de atio h the t xamin ort of a to reac d a rep Upon e e . m n a iv e e io t t c . e e a e c th rik Mote r ssible lo ock for boat st all or d an acce to be a o d t e le in t a seaw r rm tu ed the as dete and tow death w f o e s cau turtle’s

Polic Venice

Sarasota Polic e Department (SPD) June 23, 2017

| Turtle Bea ch

A deceased, 16 -foot short-fin ned pilot whale washe d ashore, and th e 3,700plus pound w hale could no t have been brought back to the La b without the assistance of SPD Marin e Patrol Sergeant Bru ce King. King re sponded to the beach (outside his ty pical territor with a tow lin y), swam from e, and towed his boat to th the whale back Necropsy findi e whale to Ken Thom ngs showed m ps on Park boat ul tiple potentia including inte ramp. l contribution raction with s to the whale longlines and is now part of ’s death, pn eumonia. The Mote’s Ruth skeleton of th DeLynn Ceta e whale cean Osteolog ical Collectio n.

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WILDLIFE RECOVERY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

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ce (MS Sheriff’s Offi ty n u o C e te a an

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June 7, 2018

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Pas | Longboat

t t of Longboa d turtle wes ea h e er ot gg M lo c d ansporte nd a lethargi deputies tr O S Citizens fou an M , at o. ic bo r Gulf of Mex ore on thei Pass in the d back to sh an nickname le ’s rt le rt tu tu e e th came th be id staff out to ital. ep tr In itation Hosp nd boat, and rtle Rehabil u T Intrepid-bra with ea d S s te e’ fit 7, 2018, ring in Mot ch on July 2 ea B ase. while recove o le id re L r te om k him af released fr chers to trac ar Intrepid was se re e ot g, allowing M a satellite ta

Longboat Key Police

Department (LBKPD

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Nov. 12, 2019 | Sister Keys

The Florida Fish an d Wildlife Conserva tion Commission (F contacted Mote for WC) assistance in recove ry of a deceased ma tee stuck in the ma nang roves at Sister Ke ys. LBKPD Marine Pa Officer Josh Connor tro l s assisted in the ma natee’s recovery, sa towing the manatee fely to a location for Mo te to pick up the ma tee with their traile nar and take it to FW C’s St. Petersburg office Significant findings . from the necropsy showed that the ma died due to a boat str natee ike.

HOW TO REPORT A STRANDING It is critical to report distressed or deceased marine mammals and sea turtles to trained responders immediately.

If you see a distressed or deceased sea turtle, manatee, dolphin or whale: • In Sarasota/Manatee counties, call: Mote’s Stranding Investigations Program at 941-988-0212.

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When calling, be ready to provide a thorough description of the animal, its behaviors, and the location.

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Take photos and video if possible.

• For other Florida counties, call: FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.

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Never attempt to rescue or push back any animal in distress.

• In the southeastern U.S., call: 877-WHALE-HELP (877-942-5342).

Distressed wildlife doesn’t sleep, and neither do we. Donate to Mote’s Stranding Investigations Program and Hospitals by visiting mote.org/donate and choosing “Marine animal rescue and rehabilitation” from the donation drop-down menu.

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MOTE AQUARIUM

Step into our

marine time machine ‘Savage Ancient Seas’ exhibit brings Cretaceous creatures to Mote

BY HAYLEY RUTGER

Name of ex

hibit:

Savage An

cient Seas

Location:

Mote Aqua rium 1600 Ken T hompson Pk wy.

Sarasota, FL 34236 Cost:

Long ago in an ocean not so far away, turtles had 12-foot shells, seabirds had teeth, and “sea monsters” with powerful jaws prowled beneath the waves.

Now through May 31, Mote Aquarium visitors can peek into this ancient world—87-70 million years ago, during the Late Cretaceous—thanks to the special exhibit “Savage Ancient Seas,” featuring replicated skeletons cast from the real fossils of extinct ocean animals.

included w ith normal ad mission to Mote Aq uarium Hours:

10 a.m.-5 p

.m. every d

ay

More inform

ation:

mote.org/a

ncientseas

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PAPER VECTORS BY: ANDREI KUKL, LYSENKO.A A AND OODDYSMILE/ADOBESTOCK

MOTE AQUARIUM

Meet the sea monsters Below are just a few of the extinct animals whose skeletons are featured at Mote. At the time when dinosaurs roamed North America, these ancient ocean creatures fought their own battle to survive in the Western Interior Seaway that covered most of the American Midwest between the Arctic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Archelon ischyros was the largest sea turtle ever to prowl Earth’s oceans.

The largest specimen had a 17-foot flipper span! It might sound formidable, but it probably wasn’t the fiercest predator of its time.

It might have eaten animals like crustaceans, mollusks and jellies— the types of animals that several modern sea turtles eat.

Hesperornis regalis was a flightless bird who swam the ancient seas and likely used its beak full of teeth to grasp slippery fish. No birds alive today have teeth. Hesperornis could swim hundreds of miles from the coast in search of food.

The Manitoba pliosaur, a rare specimen of ancient reptile, is believed to have been a top predator in the early years of the Western Interior Seaway. You might call it a sea monster that preyed upon other sea monsters! It had stout teeth and strong jaw muscles.

What about dinosaurs?

Except for the birds, there are no dinosaurs in this exhibit. The skeletons in this exhibit come from ocean animals. Dinosaurs lived on land and are only very distantly related to marine reptiles like mosasaurs and plesiosaurs.

@MoteMarineLab #splashintothepast

WATER PHOTO BY: CRISTIAN-PALMER | SKELETON IMAGES BY: SAVAGE ANCIENT SEAS

M OT E M AG A Z I N E | S P R I N G 2020

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SHARK RESEARCH

New chapter in Mote’s shark tale

BY HAYLEY RUTGER

S

tudying the ocean means studying change, a truth quite apparent to Mote Marine Laboratory scientists who have documented the shifts in local shark populations over 65 years.

Mote’s founding “Shark Lady,” Dr. Eugenie Clark, studied sharks along Southwest Florida in 1955-71, observing many species that locals still see today: blacktip, bull, great hammerhead and sandbar sharks, for example. However, the dusky sharks that Clark documented vanished from the area by the time Mote conducted a series of regional surveys in 2001-2017. Local duskies had shifted or died off, part of a broader population decline that motivated the U.S. government to ban harvest of duskies starting in 2000.

The years have been kinder to other species. For instance, blacktip sharks in the Gulf of Mexico—a primary target in recreational and commercial fisheries—are not overfished or at risk of overfishing, according to a 2018 assessment from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that included Mote data and expertise.

“With some species still in decline and others on the rise, we need to have the best available science to manage our fisheries and inform public policy about sharks,” said Dr. Robert Hueter, Director of Mote’s Center for Shark Research.

Hueter and partners are building upon Mote’s history of shark research, from the Shark Lady’s time onward, by undertaking their next series of shark surveys along Southwest Florida, one of several Mote projects within the new Pelagic Ecosystem Research Consortium (PERC). PERC—led by the University of Maine with partners including Mote, Auburn University and Nova Southeastern University—launched in 2019 with a competitive, $1.6-million grant awarded through NOAA’s 2019 Sea Grant Highly Migratory Species Research Initiative.

Pelagic, or open-water, fishes include sharks, tunas and other species that support huge commercial and recreational fisheries. Coastal sharks, also included in PERC, are economically and ecologically valuable as well. However, many of these species are overfished or vulnerable to other pressures, and most are challenging to study and manage because they migrate long distances.

Left: Mote Senior Biologist Jack Morris (top, bottom left) and Mote Staff Biologist Valerie Hagan help catch, tag and release sharks in a December 2019 survey.

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SHARK RESEARCH

EXPEDITION OVERVIEW

OVER THE COURSE OF 4 DAYS IN DECEMBER, SCIENTISTS ENCOUNTERED

70 SHARKS

7 SPECIES*: FROM

44 SANDBARS 12 BLACKTIPS 6 SPINNERS

5 BLACKNOSE 1 TIGER SHARK

1 SCALLOPED HAMMERHEAD 1 NURSE SHARK *Shark shapes not to scale.

“Highly migratory species are some of the most sought after fish in the world, both commercially and recreationally, and yet there is so much to learn about their life history in order to improve the stock assessments that determine their population status, the allocation of fishing quotas and ultimately their sustainability,” said University of Maine assistant research professor Dr. Walter Golet in the School of Marine Resources, who is a co-principal investigator for PERC with Dr. Hueter of Mote, Dr. David Kerstetter of Nova Southeastern University, and Dr. Stephen Bullard of Auburn University.

PERC partners are studying at least a dozen shark species and five tuna species to deepen knowledge of how their lives play out in the wild and to understand the structure of each population. The team is assessing which locations and habitat types support pelagic tunas, billfish and other bony fishes, and pelagic and coastal sharks at each life stage. For certain species, they’ll investigate bycatch—being caught unintentionally by fishing vessels targeting other species—to inform management strategies to reduce this challenge. Also, the team will investigate the stress of catch-and-release fishing for great hammerhead sharks and swordfish, and offshore oil platform impacts on yellowfin tuna.

Mote scientists began one of their first PERC-related projects, a year of quarterly coastal shark surveys, with a four-day expedition in December 2019 aboard the Mote Research Vessel (R/V) Eugenie Clark— named for the Shark Lady who studied the region six decades ago.

Catching sharks on a warm, December day As the rising sun peeked through the fog on Dec. 11, 2019, biologists in boots, bandanas and sunglasses traveled aboard the R/V Eugenie Clark to their study sites off Southwest Florida. They spent hours setting and soaking two types of fishing gear baited with hunks of fish at 1-10 miles offshore: multiple drumlines, each with an anchor,

float and leader line ending with a circle hook, and a longline resembling a shorter version of commercial fishing gear, bearing shorter “gangion” lines with hooks. Then they reeled in the longline with a winch and pulled in the drum lines hand over hand, an effort that would leave most gym-goers sore.

With each recovered hook came anticipation—and sometimes that anticipation was rewarded with a shark gliding under the water’s crystal-green surface. As each shark neared the stern, a team mobilized to lift and secure the animal upon a low platform while others took measurements, noted its sex and other features, and placed a spaghetti-shaped tag at the base of the dorsal fin like an identifying earring, so the shark would be recognizable if recaptured. Within minutes, the shark was returned to sea.

The winter 2019 survey team, coordinated in the field by Mote Senior Biologist Jack Morris, deployed 450 hooks and encountered 70 sharks of seven species: 44 sandbars, 12 blacktips, six spinners, and five blacknose sharks, along with one tiger, scalloped hammerhead and a nurse shark.

“The data from these surveys are used to generate what’s called an index of abundance, which is incorporated into mathematical models that can be used for assessing the status of a fish stock,” Hueter said, describing the NOAA-led process investigating how a fish population is faring, what fishing pressures it can withstand and how to rebuild the population if it’s depleted.

Mote’s shark surveys are designed to provide the latest snapshot of the sharks’ relative abundance—for comparison with earlier 2000s surveys—as well as their distribution, habitats, biology (including genetics and parasite samples), the proportions of different species caught, and more. Some sharks will be fitted with electronic tags and tracked after release for up to a year.

“We are in the middle of December and we are catching sandbar sharks, which we would expect this time of year, spinners, which we might expect, and some blacktips, which we wouldn’t expect,” Hueter said.

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SHARK RESEARCH

STAY UP TO DATE Throughout the year, check out the PERC website for updates from partners studying sharks, tunas, swordfish and more.

Scan this QR code or visit: mote.org/PERC

In December 2019 and in winters during the 2001-2017 survey period, blacktips were caught occasionally along Southwest Florida, which they weren’t during Clark’s surveys in 1955-71. Now, scientists question whether the species’ distribution is shifting with a warming climate.

“In this survey we also had a really big scalloped hammerhead male and a nurse shark we wouldn’t necessarily expect at this time of year, a tiger shark and a small species called a blacknose.

It’s interesting that we have fairly warm water, about 71 degrees, and we see a mixture of warmer and colder water species here in mid-December. People have their Christmas lights up onshore and here we are catching these sharks along the coast.”

It’s hard to be sure which long-term changes in these shark populations might be temperature-driven. During Clark’s time, 1955-71, sea surface temperature data were not consistently collected in the region, but such data are more available from the past few decades, providing more opportunities to compare with ongoing shark data.

In other locations, science is indeed demonstrating that warming can affect certain shark species. For example, Dr. Charles Bangley of East Carolina University and partners published a 2018 peer-reviewed study in Scientific Reports suggesting juvenile bull sharks began colonizing a new “nursery” habitat in 2011 along North Carolina, north of where they were typically found, likely enabled by warming water temperatures.

Shifts in shark populations can have significant consequences because many shark species are top predators that play powerful roles in regulating ecosystems.

The PERCs of partnership “We try to make the most of our efforts by collaborating,” Morris said, describing the current shark surveys. “We’ve had partners aboard from NOAA Fisheries, Florida Atlantic University, Georgia Aquarium, Florida Institute of Technology, Texas A&M University and Auburn University, and we expect the number of collaborations to grow with later surveys.”

Hueter added: “Eventually we’ll be taking a whole host of samples from many animals to serve not only our scientists but many institutions we collaborate with.”

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Mote-led shark studies within PERC cost $600,000 for one year, which includes $400,000 of the NOAA Sea Grant award and a $200,000 match from Mote and OCEARCH, which is providing $75,000 in vital ship time aboard its state-of-the-art shark research vessel.

This team approach is important to Mote scientists and is shared by their partners at OCEARCH, the nonprofit organization whose expeditions facilitate collaborative research on great white sharks and other large ocean predators.

In a separate component of PERC, Mote and OCEARCH are advancing their joint research on great white sharks in the North Atlantic Ocean through three expeditions in the Northwest Atlantic: one along the Georgia and South Carolina coast in January–February, another off Massachusetts in August–September, and a third in Atlantic Canada waters in September–October.

The white shark catch-and-release expeditions provide samples and data to scientists at more than 30 institutions and support at least 17 different research projects including studies of population genetics, reproductive biology, dietary habits, migration patterns, critical habitats and more.

Below: Mote's Jack Morris secures a sandbar shark during December 2019 surveys.

RED TIDE MITIGATION RESEARCH

RED TIDE MITIGATION GETS SMARTER For communities along the Gulf of Mexico, the next Florida red tide can feel as inevitable as the proverbial “death and taxes.” In Southwest Florida, occasional red-tide impacts—fish and wildlife mortalities, human respiratory irritation, contaminated shellfish, economic impacts and community discontent—are facts of life. So is the question: Do they have to be?

BY HAYLEY RUTGER Scientists have sought to battle these Gulf-dwelling, harmful algal blooms since at least the 1950s, after centuries of bloom impacts and the 1947 scientific documentation of the Florida red tide alga, known today as Karenia brevis. In the 1950s government scientists tried treating Florida red tide with the algaecide copper sulfate, which killed some K. brevis cells in the short term but led to release of their toxins, an added harmful effect. That study yielded no magic bullet, but drove home a key lesson: Florida red tide control and mitigation must cause no further harm than a bloom is causing already.

Since then, research has revealed that Florida red tides are variable and complex, and thus challenging to fight. For example, some Floridians encourage reducing human-contributed nutrient pollution to avoid adding extra “fuel” to blooms reaching the coast. Nutrient reduction is paramount for controlling certain freshwater harmful algal blooms and it’s generally important for ocean health, but alone, it’s not enough to stop Florida red tide.

Peer-reviewed collaborative studies by Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, Mote Marine Laboratory, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), University of Maryland of Maryland and University of South Florida (USF) helped confirm that K. brevis can use at least 13 sources of nitrogen and phosphorous nutrients—most produced through natural processes, and several arising where blooms begin: 10-40 miles offshore.

Fortunately, science is uncovering new hope for reducing Florida red tide impacts—not with a single magic bullet, but with an arsenal of technologies and compounds suited to a complex challenge.

Above: Dr. Cynthia Heil processes samples from red tide research at sea, which provides context for bloom mitigation studies in the lab.

“It is clear that only through a combination of multiple different technologies will we achieve the ultimate goal of decreasing Florida red tide impacts to our environment, economy and quality of life,” said Mote President & CEO Dr. Michael P. Crosby.

KEEP READING

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RED TIDE MITIGATION RESEARCH

Left: Scientists from Mote's partner institutions conducted early tests of a new, modified clay for Florida red tide mitigation in the past two years, and plan to scale up testing.

Right: Mote scientists tested ozone for restoring a dead-end canal affected by red tide, showing the technology can work in this limited-flow environment.

Other technologies are needed for widerscale use.

Far Right: Mote scientists are studying seaweeds (macroalgae), including species of Ulva and Gracilaria, as potential sources of compounds for reducing impacts of Florida red tide.

In the past two years, research to expand a diverse “toolbox” of mitigation, control, prevention and related monitoring technology has ramped up with new philanthropic and government support for major enterprises led by Mote, FWC and partners—transforming a historical quest into a historic opportunity.

Red tide bloomed; so did science

That community member established a matching-challenge fundraising campaign, which many other residents joined, enabling a 2018 pilot study to test if a Mote-patented ozone system could restore a red tide-impacted, dead-end canal system. Dr. Crosby then discussed the project with then Florida Governor Rick Scott, who approved state emergency funds for expanded testing of potential bloom mitigation options.

The study successfully demonstrated that ozone can destroy Mote scientists and their partners have worked together for K. brevis cells and toxins while replenishing oxygen-depleted water decades to understand Florida red tides— in limited-flow canals. That success, however, higher-than-normal concentrations of K. is one piece of a vast puzzle. “Ozonation could brevis—and help people avoid their impacts. be a wonderful tool for application in heavily “It is clear that only Mote, FWC, the National Oceanic and impacted canals, but likely not out in the Gulf,” through a combination Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Crosby noted. “Ozonation wipes out everyof multiple different Institute of Environmental Health Sciences thing. You’d only use it when you have a ‘dead’ system to clean up.”

(NIEHS) University of South Florida (USF) and technologies will we many other partners collaborate to provide achieve the ultimate goal crucial data to help people with respiratory State emergency funds also helped Woods of decreasing Florida conditions avoid airborne red tide toxins, Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Mote, protect seafood consumers from neurotoxic FWC, USF and the Florida Department of red tide impacts to our shellfish poisoning, help families enjoy safe Environmental Protection (DEP) test a potentially environment, economy days at the beach, and more. wider-scale mitigation technology: kaolinite clay and quality of life.” particles intended to “grab,” sink, and destroy However, when a severe Florida red tide red tide algae. Earlier research by Woods Hole affected southwest Florida in late 2017 to early and Mote helped rule out less-suitable clays but — Mote President & CEO 2019—causing heartbreaking losses of fish, suggested that these naturally derived materials Dr. Michael P. Crosby. manatees, dolphins and sea turtles—local resihave potential overall. dents helped plant the seed for more direct, applied solutions.

“In lab studies, the new clay has been quite effective at removing red tide cells and toxins from water,” said Dr. Richard “At the height of that bloom, a member of the Boca Grande Pierce, Manager of Mote’s Ecoxoticology Program. The next phase is to test the clay in larger experimental systems called mesocosms community heard me advocating strongly for a new approach that went beyond just monitoring and studying Florida red that mimic aspects of the natural ecosystem. The team has also tide—a new science and technology initiative to decrease secured the appropriate government permits to conduct small-scale bloom impacts,” Crosby said. tests in Gulf Coast waters when the next bloom arrives.

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RED TIDE MITIGATION RESEARCH PHOTO BY: MOTE MARINE LAB MACROALGAE HERBARIUM

“This approach to red tide control has been in use for over 20 years in South Korea and China, often covering areas of 30-40 square miles or more," said the project's leader, WHOI Senior Scientist Dr. Don Anderson. "Our challenge is to fully evaluate the effectiveness, acceptability, and scalability of the technology for use in U.S. waters, and particularly, for a red tide species that produces a potent neurotoxin.” The momentum didn’t stop there. In late 2018, the Andrew and Judith Economos Charitable Foundation provided the crucial, founding donation for the new Red Tide Institute at Mote Marine Laboratory, a dedicated hub of K. brevis mitigation research. Dr. Cynthia Heil joined as Institute Director with support from The Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation.

Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature supported the growing momentum to find new, diversified technology to fight K. brevis. In June 2019, DeSantis signed into law 379.2273 Florida Statutes, committing $18 million over six years for an unprecedented Florida Red Tide Mitigation and Technology Development Initiative led by Mote in partnership with FWC. The Initiative leverages Mote’s private and federal funding with state appropriations, allowing Mote and FWC to unite the best and brightest scientists from around the world in gamechanging efforts to reduce impacts of Florida red tide.

For a suite of solutions, cast a wide net While the Mote-FWC Red Tide Initiative was coalescing in mid-2019, Mote’s existing programs and new Red Tide Institute began screening a veritable ocean of compounds for their bloom-mitigation potential.

Mote researchers considered more than 75 compounds in the scientific literature, weeded out those least suitable for K. brevis and its environment, and tested remaining candidates in lab studies designed to fill key knowledge gaps.

“Most of the scientific literature has focused on killing algal cells, but with Karenia, killing the cells is the relatively easy part,” Heil said. “We took it a step further.” Institute lab studies have been testing how candidate compounds affect Florida red tide brevetoxins—the neurotoxins that can be released directly into seawater when cells break open. The good news: At least six compounds showed potential to eliminate both cells and toxins, qualifying them for more extensive testing.

“Some of our most successful compounds so far are macroalgae—seaweeds,” Heil said. Her team rounded up several seaweeds familiar to Gulf beachgoers and boaters, such as Ulva (sea lettuce), Gracilaria (a branching, red algae group) and Sargassum (recognized for its offshore mats), to build upon an exciting area of Mote research.

Five years ago, Mote’s Phytoplankton Ecology Program Manager Dr. Vince Lovko launched the Lab’s first studies pitting seaweed against K. brevis—knowing that plants naturally fight each other through chemical interactions called allelopathy. “We looked at about a dozen species of Southwest Florida macroalgae, and most inhibit Karenia at least somewhat, while some are quite algicidal (algae-killing),” Lovko said. “Our colleagues in Mote’s Environmental Laboratory for Forensics analyzed some of those macroalgae for polyunsaturated fatty acids that might be producing some of these effects. For two algae we’ve analyzed so far, the amount and type of certain polyunsaturated fatty acids seem to correlate with how algicidal the macroalgae are toward Karenia, which is exciting.”

Both Lovko and Heil note that it’s important to compare such isolated compounds with whole-seaweed preparations because each may have pros and cons.

This year, Heil and the Institute also advanced research aiming to reduce red tide toxins entering the air by treating the water’s surface with nontoxic substances with surfactant qualities such as soaps. “Four of the compounds we’ve tested so far did pretty

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RED TIDE MITIGATION RESEARCH

good,” Heil said. “At least one natural compound decreases the production of brevetoxin aerosols by 95 percent.”

These studies are strengthened and contextualized by research on how blooms operate in nature, including the longstanding FWC-Mote Cooperative Red Tide Research & Monitoring Program, along with a new multi-institution study led by Heil and funded by the NOAA ECOHAB program to investigate why Florida red tide blooms vary in intensity and ultimately terminate. “We’re looking at the life and death of Karenia blooms, including the roles of ocean physics, biology including bacteria and viruses, chemistry including nutrient supply and cell nutrient physiology, and how all of those factor in bloom termination, the least understood stage”—a key research target for those looking to fight blooms.

Scientific game-changer The Florida Red Tide Mitigation and Technology Development Initiative is now in full swing: raising the bar for multiple studies designed to reduce red tide impacts, reviewing its first round of competitive grant proposals to fund the best and brightest in the scientific community, forging partnerships to combine expertise and leverage state funds with multiple other sources, and building much-needed scientific infrastructure to bring promising technologies to field application levels.

And this is just year one of six.

“Innovative technologies will play a vital role in our continued efforts to address water quality issues facing our state, and I’m confident this partnership between FWC and Mote will advance our knowledge in this area,” said Governor DeSantis in 2019.

Above: Jana Wieschollek of Mote’s Phytoplankton Ecology Program is one of the scientists investigating possible means of reducing Florida red tide impacts. Many of these projects utilize cultured red tide algae, shown here.

This year, some of the more successful mitigation technologies in the lab—such as certain seaweeds, clay, and surfactants to reduce airborne toxins—will move further along a three-tiered, laboratory to field testing process examining their effectiveness and drawbacks, while many new candidates—such as ultraviolet light and nanobubbles designed to address red tide physically—will begin the process. Successful technologies must graduate from lab studies to larger mesocosm systems, and then to government-permitted pilot tests in coastal waters.

“Right now we’re getting the specialized testing facilities built for the larger mesocosm studies at Mote’s Sarasota County campuses, which will be available to us as well as other scientists who receive grant funds through the Initiative,” said Pierce at Mote. “Some important components are looking at water quality and toxicology, to make sure that the compounds and processes we test will do no more harm than the red tide itself.”

In January the Initiative convened the first meeting of its Technology Advisory Council including scientists from Mote, FWC, DEP, Florida Atlantic University and Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

Overall, the Initiative is working to: • Bring together the best and brightest scientists from Florida and around the world.

• Utilize innovative approaches and technologies to determine the most effective and ecologically sound methods for mitigating adverse impacts from red tide.

• Test technologies with combinations of lab-based, large-scale mesocosm and pilot-scale field studies ultimately leading to permitting for large-scale field testing and application.

• Develop novel detection systems to support public red tide forecasting, emergency response, and implementation of control strategies.

• Enhance public health protection with expansion of Mote’s Beach Conditions Reporting System (visitbeaches.org), local community outreach and engagement.

• Develop new technologies for smartphone apps to engage citizen science information collaborations and commercial fisherman reporting of red tide toxin concentrations.

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“A lot of foundational work has been done with mitigation technologies and it’s time to take the next scientific steps toward larger tests and field application for Florida communities; the Initiative gives us this strategic opportunity,” said Red Tide Initiative Administrator Kevin Claridge at Mote. “This year there will also be a major focus on observation and reporting tools to protect Florida’s economy and way of life—putting tools in the hands of beachgoers, fishermen, oystermen and coastal businesses—to ensure the latest and greatest technologies are available to make fast and accurate decisions.”

“If there is ultimately a ‘holy grail,’ it is to identify Florida red tide blooms as they initiate offshore, accurately forecast whether there will be significant impacts as the bloom comes toward shore, and then deploy a suite of technologies, early on, to decrease the likelihood of that bloom causing impacts,” Crosby said. “That will take a combined, strategic coordination of advancement in multiple disciplines, within our Initiative and in collaboration with other key partners at all levels.”

STONE CRAB RESEARCH

NO WONDER THEY’RE

CRABBY

CHALLENGES FACING STONE CRABS: THE BIG PICTURE

BY HAYLEY RUTGER

From mid-October to mid-May, seafood lovers will crack open many delicious stone crab claws—but fewer than they used to.

In Florida’s $30-million stone crab fishery, annual catch has declined by 40% since 1998.

Mote Marine Laboratory scientists are working to understand why. To support this important research, Mote Aquarium biologists are raising stone crab larvae (babies) in their Aquarium Conservation Lab. By collecting stone crabs under government permits, hatching their eggs and raising the larvae, Mote Postdoctoral Research Fellow Dr. Phil Gravinese and colleagues are investigating which environmental challenges can affect stone crabs, to what degree, across multiple life stages.

After three years of this research, Mote’s data are coalescing into an intriguing picture of potential stone crab threats, both current and projected for the future—valuable information for fishery managers. These threats, considered together, can make the stone crab life cycle resemble an obstacle course.

THE CHALLENGES Below are stone crab stressors that Mote has investigated through peer-reviewed, published research—a list that continues to grow.

The next page shows how each stressor affected stone crabs at specific life stages in Mote’s laboratory-based studies, hinting at what stone crabs may experience in some habitats in the wild.

•

Florida red tide (current stressor) is a higher-than-normal concentration of a toxin-producing Karenia brevis algae found in the Gulf of Mexico. Mote examined the impacts of high and medium red tide concentrations, which are each higher than the normal “background” levels.

•

Elevated temperature (current stressor projected to increase): Climate change is increasing average seawater temperatures, including in regions where stone crabs live.

Mote examined the impacts of increasing temperature by 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), which was based on one scientific projection of global climate change for year 2100.

•

Ocean acidification, OA (current stressor projected to increase): OA, part of climate change, is a worldwide decrease in seawater pH driven by increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Some coastal habitats in Florida are also experiencing seasonal declines in pH due to organic runoff, which can decrease pH three times faster than the rate of OA anticipated for global oceans by the end of the century.

Mote investigated the impacts of OA projected for year 2100.

•

Low oxygen, or “hypoxia” (current stressor), can occur because of nutrient pollution in coastal waters and in the aftermath of a severe red tide. Both of these can cause increases in decomposing organic matter, reducing oxygen in the water. Mote examined the impacts of short-term low oxygen conditions comparable to those documented in shallow, nearshore environments along Cedar Key, Florida, where stone crabs were collected for the research.  KEEP READING

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STONE CRAB RESEARCH

PRECARIOUS PATH TO MATURITY Stone crabs are vulnerable to environmental stressors at each stage of their life cycle. The more scientists learn about the impacts of these stressors, the better fishery managers can adapt their strategies to sustain the population.

Here are the results of Mote’s laboratory-based studies so far.

EMBRYOS

Stone crab embryos develop inside an egg for two weeks before hatching.

Ocean acidification (OA), exposure throughout embryonic development 28% decrease in hatching success 24% slower embryonic development

LARVAE

After hatching, stone crabs grow through five larval stages, which take 20–30 days to complete, before they molt into a post-larval stage that lasts about one week. In Mote’s research, larvae were raised in each environmental condition throughout their entire larval development to monitor survival, development and swimming behavior.

Ambient conditions (pH = 8.0, temperature = 30 °C/86 °F): About 25-26 days to complete larval development Normal swimming behavior (80% of larvae swam toward the surface as expected.)

Elevated temperature (+2 °C/3.6 °F) 71% decrease in survival 13% faster development Normal swimming behavior (80% swam toward the surface as expected.)

OA, (pH = 7.6) 37% decrease in survival 12% longer development in later larval stages Abnormal swimming behavior (74% swam away from the surface at faster rate.

OA and elevated temperature combined 80% decrease in survival Larvae developed at a similar rate to the elevated temperature condition.

No changes in larval morphology (shape of body structures) Abnormal swimming behavior (78% swam away from the surface at faster rate.)

Florida red tide, four-day exposure 100% mortality at high concentration (about 1 million red tide cells per liter of water) 30% mortality at medium concentration (about 100,000 cells per liter) Abnormal swimming behavior (60% of larvae swam downward.)

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STONE CRAB RESEARCH

LEND A CLAW

Learn more and discover the peer-reviewed research papers behind this story online at mote.org/stonecrabresearch or by scanning this QR code:



You can help fight the challenges facing stone crabs—reduce your carbon footprint to help address climate change, use landscaping best practices to reduce nutrient-rich runoff, and support research focused on mitigating Florida red tide.

ILLUSTRATION BY: HAYLEY RUTGER | PATTERN BY: LIMOLIDA STUDIO / ADOBE STOCK

ADULTS

Adult crabs can be “sublegal,” with claws too small for harvest (roughly 1 to 1.5 years older than juvenile), or “legal,” with claws that measure at least 2.75 inches from joint to end of the claw (roughly 1.5 to 2 years older than juvenile).

Florida red tide, nine-day exposure of sublegal crabs 67% decrease in eating 52% loss of reflexes 42% decrease in survival

JUVENILES

Young crabs that grow and molt repeatedly and are reproductively immature.

Hypoxia, two-hour exposure 80% mortality in small juveniles 12% mortality in large juveniles (but 35% of large juveniles showed immobility)

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MARINE BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH

BEYOND THE

‘STINGRAY SHUFFLE’ Meet our local stingrays and the scientists studying their venom

BY HAYLEY RUTGER

A

s spring turns to summer, beachgoers will wade into the warm waves along Florida’s Gulf Coast—and ideally, they will shuffle their feet in the sand to avoid stepping on stingrays.

The unlucky few who are stung—wounded by a ray’s venom-containing barb—should seek medical care, but normally, stingray wounds aren’t life-threatening.

“These rays are not aggressive; the stinging barbs are their only defense against predators,” said Dr. Carl Luer, manager of Mote’s Marine Biomedical Research Program, who studies rays, sharks and skates—fishes known as elasmobranchs—at the cellular level in partnership with Dr. Cathy Walsh, Manager of Mote’s Marine Immunology Program.

Luer experienced the power of a stingray’s defense mechanism firsthand in 2016. After handling stingrays successfully for years, Luer worked with one Atlantic stingray that responded with an unanticipated movement and jabbed his arm below the wrist. The pain was intense for about six to eight hours; the venom, however, killed surrounding tissue and the wound took more than eight weeks to heal. “You don’t always get that level of necrotic response—I must’ve gotten a really good dose of venom.”

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Now, that potent stingray venom is the focus of a new research collaboration among Luer, Walsh and partners at University of South Florida (USF) and Florida State University (FSU), who aim to understand the venom’s chemical properties and biological effects, and ultimately, whether its power can be harnessed to improve medical therapies. Between their various research efforts, Mote scientists also share their stingray smarts to educate others. Below are quick facts for beachgoers, followed by updates on the new venom project.

MARINE BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH

BE SMART ABOUT STINGRAYS

ILLUSTRATION BY: HAYLEY RUTGER

DO ALL RAYS HAVE STINGING BARBS? Some do and others don’t. Near Mote’s home base in Southwest Florida, rays without barbs include: the butterfly, devil, manta and lesser electric ray.

Local rays with barbs include: cownose, spotted eagle, Atlantic, southern, bluntnose (locally uncommon) and roughtail stingrays (found offshore).

SAND PHOTO BY: IMAGES AND VIDEOS / ADOBE STOCK

WHICH RAYS REQUIRE BEACHGOER AWARENESS AND CAUTION? In Southwest Florida, beachgoers need to use the stingray shuffle because Atlantic stingrays and southern stingrays—relatively common species—burrow in sand within the surf zone and may sting people who step on top of them. Around June and July, these rays give birth to pups, which spend their first summer of life feeding in the surf zone. By summer’s end, these offspring are the size of a saucer or dish. As weather cools, the rays tend to follow their prey away from the surf.

WHAT IF I GET STUNG? Immerse the wound in hot water or apply a heat compress immediately, taking care not to burn the skin. The protein-based venom can be inactivated by exposing it to high temperatures. While this should help reduce pain, be sure to obtain medical assistance so the wound can be examined and cleaned to remove any foreign material and prevent infection.

The virtues of venoms Animals use venoms to defend themselves and subdue their prey, and scientists study venoms because they are powerful chemical “cocktails” containing certain compounds that humans can repurpose. For example, new blood-pressure medications have been derived from snake venom compounds, and pain medications have been derived from cone snail venom.

“There are quite a few examples of venom compounds developed into drugs,” Luer said. However, he noted that stingray venom is largely unexplored and untapped. “In this project we’re starting from ground zero.”

In June, 2018, Mote scientists began collecting and processing ray venom consistently for analyses, working with Atlantic stingrays (Hypanus sabinus). In the lab, Walsh and Luer removed a barb from each ray, which is like clipping a fingernail and doesn’t harm the ray. They scraped out the venom gland tissue, placed it into a solution and gently broke it up to release the venom. Then they separated this mixture into a pellet of tissue and a small volume of fluid containing dissolved venom compounds.

Luer and Walsh placed samples of the venom-containing fluid into electrically conductive gel that separates chemical compounds by molecular mass. After running samples from multiple rays, they found the banding pattern in their gels was reproducible. That meant they had consistent samples of something—the mysterious venom components, whose properties must now be explored.

KEEP READING



HOW DOES A STING HAPPEN? Stepping on a stingray causes its tail to whip reflexively, propelling the barb (or multiple barbs, in some species)—the spine of hard, cartilaginous material (vasodentin) with two long grooves containing the venom-gland tissue. The sharp barb penetrates tissue, and its tooth-like edges make it harder to remove from a wound. Stingrays shed and replace their barbs throughout life.

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MARINE BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH

Left: Dr. Carl Luer collects venom from a stingray barb that will be used in various biomedical and immunology studies. Removing a stingray's barb is like clipping a fingernail and doesn't harm the ray. Right: Various stingray barbs collected by Luer.

Dr. Craig Doupnik at USF’s Morsani College of Medicine worked with Walsh and Luer to investigate how the venom-containing fluid affects lab-cultured human cells, specifically cells related to skin connective tissue and nervous-system processes. The preliminary results might not surprise those who have experienced a ray’s sting: high concentrations of the venom appeared to be acutely toxic to the cells, and lower concentrations slowed cell growth. These effects didn’t occur if the venom had been heated previously. Preliminary results from this collaboration will be presented at a Venom Conference at the University of Florida in March.

Mote’s other samples, the tissue pellets, contain cell nuclear material that FSU Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

collaborator Dr. Darin Rokyta will examine to characterize the venom gland transcriptome (gland cell RNA containing genetic information about the compounds that make up the venom).

Specifically, project partners hope to understand whether stingray venom compounds might be applicable to developing drugs to lower blood pressure, anticoagulants to reduce the risk of heart attacks, and non-addictive painkillers derived from calcium-channel blockers.

Luer and Walsh also aim to collect venom from other Florida ray species, such as the cownose ray and spotted eagle ray, as they continue advancing this project on the cutting edge—make that stinging edge—of marine science. 

SUPPORT THIS RESEARCH

Marine biomedical and immunological research offers important insights for human and ocean-animal health.

At Mote—an independent nonprofit marine science institution—these and other diverse research efforts rely greatly on philanthropic donations. To support this work, please contact Andria Piekarz, Director of Development, at 941-388-4441, ext. 309.

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MOTE MILESTONES

BY HAYLEY RUTGER As the New Year arrived, Mote’s coral scientists reported some thrilling news: Mote’s team planted nearly 27,000 coral fragments onto damaged Florida reefs in 2019, the Lab’s highest annual count ever, exceeding the past two years’ counts combined.

Coral reefs cover less than 1% of the ocean but support an estimated 25% of all marine life. And that helps feed more than 500 million people. Sadly, reefs around the world are declining due to climate change, ocean acidification, coral disease, overfishing and other stressors.

Since the 1980s, coral cover has declined 80% in the Caribbean and 90% or more in certain Florida reef areas.

PHOTO BY: STACEY HINES

Mote coral restoration reaches new level, offers opportunity of a lifetime

Mote is working to address the grand challenges facing coral reefs through innovative science and through uniquely comprehensive, science-based coral restoration efforts that emphasize raising genetically diverse, resilient corals and planting them onto depleted reefs on the Florida Reef Tract, the only barrier reef along the continental United States.

Cumulatively, Mote has restored 76,522 coral fragments to wild reefs since 2008, and Mote-restored corals routinely show exceptional survival rates, with more than 90% of coral fragments reaching the key, one-year mark. Mote scientists’ efforts have thrived with substantial help from volunteer citizen scientists.

Now, the public can join this amazing effort through the new Reef Revival Experience. Mote’s Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration is partnering with the snorkel, dive and water-sports operator Captain Hooks to offer this unforgettable, day-long experience including a tour and science lecture at Mote’s Florida Keys campus, training in coral restoration practices, diving in Mote’s underwater coral nurseries to help fragment staghorn corals for restoration, and exploring Looe Key Reef.

Omega-3 supplement sales support coral reefs

BY HAYLEY RUTGER The company Enzymedica is donating a portion of proceeds from its Aqua Biome fish oil supplements to Mote Marine Laboratory’s coral reef restoration in the Florida Keys—and in 2019 their giving surpassed $65,000!

“As Mote seeks to significantly increase the number of corals we are able to outplant in the Florida Keys, we are energized by our new partnership with Enzymedica,” said Mote President & CEO Dr. Michael P. Crosby. “Educational material with each bottle of Enzymedica’s Aqua Biome will help the public learn more about the importance of coral reefs, and proceeds from sales of this dietary supplement will provide donations to Mote in support of our coral restoration initiative.”

SHOP SUPPLEMENTS GET INVOLVED

Looking to buy omega-3 supplements?

Check out this coral-friendly collaborationt: aqua-biome.com

Reef Revival participation packages start at $99 per person and include a donation to Mote’s coral restoration programs.

Scan the QR code or visit: mote.org/getinvolvedkeys

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MOTE MILESTONES

Rescued corals at Mote

BY SAMANTHA SCHUBERT Mote Aquarium is holding 79 coral colonies that were rescued from the Florida Reef Tract by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before contracting stony coral tissue loss disease.

The disease, first reported in Virginia Key in 2014, has affected over 96,000 acres of Florida reef along with certain Caribbean areas.

Partners in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project aim to hold 5,000 coral colonies between 15 certified facilities. Adam Dolman, Mote’s Curator of Fish and Invertebrates, said, “The end goal is to put them back into the wild and help them repopulate the reef once the disease has passed.”

LEGACY SOCIET Y SPOTLIGHT

Susan & Don Featherman

BY LAUREN HUGHEY Longtime Sarasota residents Susan and Don Featherman have been involved with Mote Marine Laboratory for nearly 45 years. Born in the same Pennsylvania hospital in 1936, Susan was raised in Gainesville, Florida, and Don in northeast Pennsylvania. The couple was married in 1958 and moved to Titusville, Florida, where Susan taught school. Don’s work included flight testing intermediate- and long-range ballistic missiles at Cape Canaveral, and certification of propellant and high-pressure gas systems at missile installations in the United States and Great Britain. In 1964, the Feathermans moved to the Sarasota area, where they participated in a family injection molding business for 34 years, retiring in 1998.

While recognizing that every one of Mote’s scientific programs is involved in extremely important research benefitting our environment and future, Don’s engineering background renders him particularly interested in Mote’s Marine Biomedical Research Program investigating sharks’, skates’ and rays’ low incidence of disease including cancer, and their relatively rapid and

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(941) 388-4441 ext. 352

Supporting the ocean: Four decades and counting

While Susan was busily involved in community civic organizations, Don’s interest in ocean research led him to volunteer at Mote in the mid ‘70s as a member of the Mote Advisory Council and later as a tour guide at the Mote Aquaculture Research Park. He serves on the Mote Marine Foundation Board and Research Committee and was a member of the Finance Committee for many years.

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Learn more about Mote's Legacy Society:

infection-free healing of wounds, along with programs emphasizing coral research and Florida red tide mitigation.

“Susan and I are extremely concerned about the deterioration of our oceans and corals,” Don said. “That’s why we are members of the Mote’s Legacy Society.”

The Feathermans feel that Mote’s research is vital to Florida and important throughout the world. Don said, “We don’t know what the future will present to us, so the Legacy program fits nicely into our financial planning. Please consider joining us in Mote's Legacy Society.”

Because of their Legacy plans, the Feathermans’ longtime impact on Mote will continue well beyond their decades of volunteerism.

EVENT CALENDAR

Mote 2020 Events Calendar MARCH NOW THROUGH MAY 31 Savage Ancient Seas Savage Ancient Seas exhibit is open at Mote Aquarium. mote.org/ancientseas MARCH 2, 9, 16, 23 AND 30 Endless Oceans lifelong learning courses See class details and register: mote.org/endlessoceans MARCH 10 Coffee with a Scientist Speaker is Dr. Erinn Muller, Science Director of Mote’s Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration (IC2R3). 9 a.m., Woman’s Club Room at Boca Grande Community Center, 131 1st Street W., Boca Grande. Sponsored by U.S. Trust, Bank of America. mote.org/boca

More details and registration at: M O T E . O R G / E V E N T S

educational booths, vendors and more.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Truman Waterfront Park in Key West. moteoceanfest.org

APRIL 3 Boca Grande Marine Pollution Forum Learn about the threats to our watery world from pollution during this free public forum co-hosted by Mote and the Barrier Island Parks Society. 2 p.m. at Boca Grande Community Center Auditorium. mote.org/boca APRIL 4 Run for the Turtles Benefiting Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Program. 6:30 a.m. registration on site, 7:30 1-mile race and 8 a.m. 5K race on Siesta Beach. Register: mote.org/turtlerun APRIL 9

Breakfast with the Sharks experience 8:30 a.m. Mote Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota. mote.org/experiences

Lower Keys Lecture Series Dr. Jason Spadaro. 6–7 p.m. at Mote’s Keys campus: 24244 Overseas Highway, Summerland Key, FL. mote.org/getinvolvedkeys

Mote's Spring Break Camp Offered Monday through Friday each week at Mote in Sarasota. Details and registration: mote.org/camp MARCH 20 Party on the Pass Evening of good food, good fun and good will, supporting Mote’s efforts for rescue, rehabilitation and release of sea turtles & manatees, and Jane’s Refuge: the Hospital for Dolphins & Whales at Mote Marine Laboratory. 6:30 p.m.

At Mote, Sarasota. mote.org/party MARCH 22 Estuary Exploration Experience exploring Sarasota Bay. 1:30 p.m. mote.org/experiences MARCH 28 Mote's Ocean Fest in Key West Family-friendly event celebrating coral reefs of the Florida Keys and the research and restoration efforts working to protect their future. Enjoy food, music,

Last day of Savage Ancient Seas exhibit in Mote Aquarium

APRIL

MARCH 14

WEEKS OF MARCH 16 & MARCH 23

MAY 31

APRIL 11 Breakfast with the Sharks experience 8:30 a.m. Mote Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota. mote.org/experiences APRIL 15 Sip and Paint at Mote's Florida Keys Campus Time TBD. mote.org/getinvolvedkeys APRIL 28-29 (NOON TO NOON) Giving Challenge A community-wide, online give-athon for nonprofits. Learn more at cfsarasota.org/thegivingchallenge and support Mote at mote.org/donate M AY MAY 10 Mother’s Day special All moms get free admission to Mote Aquarium with the purchase of their accompanied child’s ticket on May 10 only.

(Party must include one paid ticket per free ticket.) Go to the admissions desk.

JUNE JUNE 1 Mote’s summer camps begin. mote.org/camp JUNE 6 World Oceans Day Family Festival with various activities celebrating the sea. Starting 10 a.m. in Mote Aquarium courtyard.

Included with admission.

JUNE 21 Father’s Day special All dads get free admission to Mote Aquarium with the purchase of their accompanied child’s ticket on June 21 only.

(Party must include one paid ticket per free ticket.) Go to the admissions desk.

AUGUST AUG. 7 Mote's summer camps conclude.

SEPTEMBER SEPT. 5, 12, 19, 26 Saturdays in September Mote Aquarium admission discount for Florida residents DATES TBD Snook Shindig A tournament focused on catching, sampling and releasing snook tagged

by Mote fisheries scientists.

OCTOBER OCT. 23 Fish, Fun & Fright A Halloween celebration in Mote Aquarium, Sarasota. Details TBD. Check mote.org/halloween OCT. 31 Oceanic Evening The annual, black-tie gala supporting Mote’s mission. Details TBD. Check mote.org/oceanic

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1600 Ken Thompson Parkway Sarasota, FL 34236-1004 (941) 388-4441 www.mote.org

NON Profit org.

U.S. Postage PAID Lebanon Junction, KY Permit #698

Looking for a unique and rewarding experience that kids can dive into this spring?

D I D YO U K N O W ?

Mote offers Spring, Summer and Winter break camps for ages K-12!

Mote Camps combine our groundbreaking research with fun, hands-on and age-appropriate activities. Discover the wonders of marine animals and environments studied

by Mote scientists and explore STEM education even when school is out!

For more information, visit: M O T E . O R G / C A M P