Scallop Brochure

RESEARCH AT MOTE MARINE LABORATORY

M O T E C O M M U N I T Y PA R T N E R S H I P:

Scallop Restoration Initiative

MOTE.ORG

For information about Mote’s scallop restoration efforts or to report scallop sightings, contact: Benthic Ecology Lab Mote Marine Laboratory jculter@mote.org 941-388-4441, ext. 247 For information about internships with Mote’s scallop restoration initiative, contact: Student Engagement Coordinator Mote Marine Laboratory gina@mote.org 941-388-4441, ext. 269

Overview of the Mote Community Partnership: Scallop Restoration Initiative The Mote Community Partnership: Scallop Restoration Initiative is a community-wide, collaborative effort to restore scallop populations in Sarasota Bay. It is also part of a global project of the Japanese Research Institute for Humanity and Nature studying how communities and scientists work together on environmental problems.

Due to decline in water quality, extreme red tide events, destruction of seagrass and overharvesting, the scallop populations statewide fell dramatically around 1960. This led to closing commercial harvesting of scallops in the early 1990s.

Today, Mote works with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Sarasota Bay Watch, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, Sarasota County, Bay Shellfish Co., local business leaders and most importantly, many volunteer citizen scientists to restore scallop populations in Sarasota Bay, aiming to improve environmental quality and expand community involvement.

Interested in Volunteering?

Various Options Include: • Participating in annual community-wide scallop searches to count mature scallops in Sarasota Bay • Helping to release scallop larvae into the Bay and monitoring the juvenile scallops’ survival • Deploying and retrieving scallop settlement sampling devices at release sites across the Bay • Providing boat transportation / boat-based assistance • Helping to monitor water quality in Sarasota Bay • Educating the community about the significance of scallop restoration in Sarasota Bay • Working closely with scientists and other members of the community on associated activities related to scallop restoration and environmental health of Sarasota Bay.

Opportunities for Internships* *Limited financial support for qualified applicants may be available through the Celine Silver Intern Fund.

Undergraduates and recent graduates may apply for internships with the Benthic Ecology Program at Mote Marine Laboratory. Under the direction of benthic ecologist Jim Culter, you will gain valuable experience: • • • •

Working in a marine biology lab In the field, releasing young scallops and monitoring scallop release sites in Sarasota Bay With community outreach events to promote the initiative Networking with other Mote interns and scientists.

Local high school students may also apply.

You will gain: • •

• • •

Experience working with scientists and college interns Knowledge of the marine environments and species (particularly bay scallops) in Sarasota Bay Marine biology lab experience Involvement in community outreach Credits toward high school volunteer hours.

1600 Ken Thompson Parkway Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 388 - 4441 MOTE.ORG Become a friend on our Facebook page: Mote Community Partnership: Scallop Restoration Initiative

Prepared by the Marine Policy Institute Mote Marine Laboratory March 2015