RESEARCH AT MOTE MARINE LABORATORY
In 2001, Mote Marine Laboratory realized our goal of developing an R&D facility that would allow us to address the worldwide need for sustainable aquaculture systems to feed the world, restock depleted species and address the domestic need to develop a viable aquaculture industry in the U.S. Our research is addressing new ways to clean and re-use both fresh and salt water in closed-loop, or recirculating, systems, to grow fish, sea vegetables and plants for wetlands restoration in ways that sustainably utilize natural resources — especially water. CONTACT: Dr. Kevan Main, Director of Mote Aquaculture Park & Senior Scientist 941-388-4541, ext. 27 kmain@mote.org
Marine & Freshwater Aquaculture Research A DECISIVE INVESTMENT IN AQUACULTURE SCIENCE Traditional aquaculture uses large quantities of high-quality fresh or salt water that is discharged after minimal use. Water is globally recognized as a valuable and limited commodity, so the technologies we develop allow us to clean and reuse this resource to its maximum potential. Our freshwater systems have minimal discharge and our salt water systems have none. Today, Mote’s $15 million investment has resulted in a 200-acre research park located nearly 20 miles away from any large body of water where we are developing innovative, ecologically friendly and cost-effective water filtration and animal husbandry techniques to produce high-value marine and freshwater species. This state-of-the-art aquaculture facility is replenishing snook, pioneering marine aquaponics research, investigating pompano as an aquaculture species and creating viable business models for production that have been adopted by the private sector.
MOTE AQUACULTURE PARK: RESEARCH AND INNOVATION TO SUSTAINABLY FEED THE WORLD AND RESTORE THE ENVIRONMENT
MOTE AQUACULTURE PARK
874 Mote Way • Sarasota, FL 34240
AQUACULTURE PROJECTS SNOOK: For more than 20 years, Mote has partnered with Florida’s Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to grow high-quality eggs, larvae and juvenile fish to restore wild populations. Mote was the first to mature and spawn Centropomus undecimalis in captivity in 2006. Larval research today is determining optimal diet for egg production and larval fish growth. Juvenile research is improving survival and growth, reducing cannibalism and the incidence of deformities and disease. Mote’s Fisheries Ecology and Enhancement Program uses our snook to determine the optimal release protocols. MARINE AQUAPONICS: This is one of our newest areas of investigation. We partner with University of South Florida engineers and Morningstar Fishermen to develop a prototype marine aquaponics system to farm edible marine plants and fish together to demonstrate opportunities for local, community-based food production. We produce red drum and edible sea vegetables (sea purslane and saltwort). Solid fish waste fertilizes wetlands restoration plants grown by Aquatic Plants of Florida. FLORIDA POMPANO & PLANTS: This popular food and sport fish has great potential as an aquaculture species. Mote’s breeding research began in 2003 and today is focused on nutrition and genetic selection strategies to develop early weaning and increase survival rates in larval fish. Juvenile and growout research is improving feeding strategies to produce market-sized fish faster without off-flavors. The system uses wetland plants to filter excess nutrients from salt water and allow it to be reused for fish production.
MOTE MARINE LABORATORY
M O T E . O R G / A Q U A C U LT U R E
FLORIDA MARINE FISHERIES ENHANCEMENT: In 2007, Mote partnered with FWC and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution (HBOI) to develop cornerstone hatcheries to produce wild species that are in decline as part of a comprehensive marine restocking program. Our technology was put into place to grow red drum in three hatcheries, allowing us to investigate inland production strategies for growing fingerlings for stock enhancement. PACIFIC SNOOK: Mote is developing strategies to provide high-quality eggs, larvae and juvenile fish to restore Pacific black snook (Centropomus nigrescens) in Costa Rica. This privately funded project supported the transport of broodstock to Mote’s breeding facilities to develop spawning technology for this important game fish. In 2014, Mote’s team matured and spawned them in captivity and we have now begun rearing trials.
ECONOMIC IMPACT In 2001, Mote began developing, testing and demonstrating environmentally sustainable and economically feasible aquaculture technologies to produce Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) meat and caviar to reduce fishing pressure on plummeting wild stocks while developing a valuable food product. Commercialscale systems maximized water and energy conservation and allowed us to develop optimal production and processing methods shared with other Florida farmers to help build the industry. In 2014, Mote licensed this operation to a private venture firm. The sale marked the first major commercial venture to come from Mote research — advancing a strategic goal of transferring Mote science to real-world application.
1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy • Sarasota, FL 34236 • (941) 388 - 4441
MOTE.ORG