December 7, 2021
MOTE MARINE LAB & AQUARIUM
1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236
“Mote Marine Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit, marine research organization based on City Island in Sarasota, Florida, with additional campuses in eastern Sarasota County, Boca Grande, Florida, and the Florida Keys.” Wikipedia
A day after visiting Tampa’s Florida Aquarium and taking the Wild Dolphin Cruise I made my way to the Mote Marine Lab & Aquarium, after getting the recommendation from some people I met on the cruise.
While the Mote didn’t offer the huge tanks that the Georgia and Florida aquariums did, there was plenty to see, from the fish of coral reefs to sharks to manatees and sea otters. The Mote’s focus on education was evident throughout the visit and staff/volunteers seemed to be everywhere to answer questions and point out interesting bits of information.
I also added an Eco Boat Tour, which took us out into Sarasota Bay looking for dolphins, manatees, and birds. The tour included a stop on an uninhabited island and a trip by a bird nesting habitat.
The trip to the Mote was very worthwhile.
Moray Eel
This Octopus was very active.
This education display showed how plastic bags in the water could look like jellyfish to the sea life the feed on jellyfish.
Mangrove trees are critical to the ecosystem in the bay areas.
