Turtle Power

Mote Documents First Sea Turtle Nest of 2026

It's a loggerhead sea turtle nest on Venice Beach.

04/27/2026 By Staff

Suncoast Searchlight

Red Tide Turning Point? New Research, Policy Shifts Offer Hope

At Mote Marine Laboratory, researchers are testing treatments that have shown promise in reducing algae levels without harming marine life.

04/17/2026 By Josh Dunbar/Suncoast Searchlight

Tender Loving Care

Mote Is Caring for Three Cold-Stressed Manatees and 25 Cold-Stunned Green Sea Turtles

Cold stressing and stunning are potentially life-threatening conditions caused by sudden or prolonged drops in water temperature.

02/13/2026 By Staff

The New Mote

Inside the New Mote SEA

Mote’s brand-new Science and Education Aquarium (SEA) rises at Nathan Benderson Park.

12/02/2025 By Megan McDonald

Just Keep Swimming

The 'Shark Lady Musical,' About Sarasota's Legendary Eugenie Clark, Debuts at Fogartyville Next Weekend

The show's writer Christina Meiping Chen shares the inspiration behind the show and what the audience can expect.

11/25/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Heroes on the Half Shell

Mote Reports Record Sea Turtle Nesting Numbers for 2025

This year saw more 1,366 more sea turtle nests on local beaches than last year, including some incubating into November.

11/24/2025 By Staff

Water World

Mote's New Science Education Aquarium Is Open

Years in the making, the $132 million facility includes 1 million gallons of aquatic exhibitions, including  sharks and stingrays, manatees, otters, penguins, a giant octopus, sharks, otters and more, plus three state-of-the-art STEM teaching labs.

10/08/2025 By Megan McDonald Videography by Joshua Bodkin

Rolling in the Deep

Political and Civic Heavyweights Gather for Ribbon-Cutting at Mote's New Aquarium

The new aquarium opens to the public on Oct. 8, marking a milestone not just for Mote, but for the region's identity as a hub for marine science and innovation.

10/06/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Mo' Mote

Mote's New Science Education Aquarium (SEA) Is Set to Open Oct. 8

The $130 million, 146,000-square-foot aquarium marks Mote Marine Laboratory’s 70th anniversary and ushers in a new era of science education, research and public engagement.

09/16/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Making a Splash

Randy and the Dolphins

Marine scientist Randall Wells knows Sarasota’s dolphins better than anyone in the world. Just don’t ask him to read their minds.

09/05/2025 By Isaac Eger

Save the Seagrass

Mote Expands Seagrass Restoration Efforts With Three New Research Facilities

The new facilities are designed to advance the restoration, resilience and long-term sustainability of Florida's seagrass meadows, which are vanishing at alarming rates.

08/26/2025 By Staff

Eel Be Back

July 6 Is the Last Day to Visit Mote Aquarium on City Island

The aquarium is closing its doors in preparation for the big move to its new facility at Nathan Benderson Park.

06/19/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Turtle Power

It's Sea Turtle Nesting Season. Here's How to Keep Turtles, Nests and Those Tiny Hatchlings Safe.

It's important to be aware of your surroundings over the holiday weekend.

04/28/2025 By Staff

Turtle Power

Mote Releases Two Loggerhead Sea Turtles Following Rehabilitation for Red Tide Toxicity

"Grimm" and "Monique" were rescued earlier this year off Sanibel Island and Siesta Key, respectively.

04/23/2025 By Staff

Power Up

The 25 Most Powerful People in Sarasota

From business leaders to activists, elected officials and philanthropists, these are the people shaping Sarasota’s future.

04/02/2025 By Kim Doleatto, Lauren Jackson, Cooper Levey-Baker, and Megan McDonald

Just Keep Swimming

Mote Is Nursing 22 Cold-Stunned Juvenile Green Sea Turtles Back to Health

Cold-stunning occurs when turtles become lethargic due to rapidly dropping water temperatures.

01/31/2025 By Staff

Just Keep Swimming

Mote Aquarium Will Reopen Tomorrow—and Introduce Lou, a New Manatee, to the Public

After eight weeks of closure due to the back-to-back hurricanes, Mote will open its City Island aquarium tomorrow at 9 a.m.

11/21/2024 By Megan McDonald

Hurricane Milton

Mote, the Van Wezel and the Hermitage Artist Retreat Experienced Major Damage from Hurricane Milton

The Van Wezel has canceled shows through December. Mote and the Hermitage are closed due to the impacts of the storm.

10/14/2024 By Staff

Turtle Time

Mote Releases Lil' Dougie, a Rehabilitated Loggerhead Sea Turtle, on Siesta Key Beach

The female loggerhead sea turtle was found floating in Blackburn Bay by Doug Johnson, a Sarasota County Sheriff's office staff member.

08/12/2024 By Megan McDonald

Wild Things

Southwest Florida Is Home to a Surprising Array of Exotic Animals

Get ready for a walk on the wild side.

06/26/2024 By Kim Doleatto Photography by Hannah Phillips