05-30-2013, 11:10 AM
A worldwide ocean celebration is on the horizon - join the fun during the World Oceans Day Family Festival on June 8 in The Aquarium at Mote Marine Laboratory.
(Details for visitors below)
Mote's World Oceans Day event will feature a Dr. Seuss Theme to spotlight the ocean's deep connection to the human spirit and the boundless inspirational power of our natural world's greatest resource.
World Oceans Day, celebrated each year on June 8, was created in 1992 at the Earth Summit and declared a holiday by the United Nations in 2009.
Here at Mote, we make a big splash each year. This year's event will feature games and crafts focused on green practices, marine science and conservation by Mote and other local organizations.
Participating organizations will include: Longboat Key Turtle Watch, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, Sarasota Bay Watch, Manatee County Natural Resources Department, The Sarasota YMCA, Stow It-Don't Throw It, Mote's High School Alumni Program, Mote's Education Division and Tampa Bay Watch.
Sponsors of this year's event at Mote include: IBC (Insurance and Benefit Consultants), the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Sam's Club and Willis A. Smith Construction.
Official sponsors of World Oceans Day are Association of Zoos and Aquariums, The Ocean Project, Dr. Seuss and Random House Children's Books.
Details for Visitors:
What: World Oceans Day Family Festival
When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, June 8<br />
Where: The Aquarium at Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway in Sarasota<br />
Cost: Free with admission to The Aquarium. Admission is $19 for adults, $18 for seniors over 65, $14 for youths ages 4-12 and free for children age 3 and younger. Mote Members always get in free.<br />
Web site: www.mote.org/worldoceansday<br />
Be Vigilant for Marine Life this Summer Boating Season<br />
As you enjoy Southwest Florida's coastal waters this summer, Mote recommends that boaters follow Coast Guard-approved safe boating guidelines and use vigilance to avoid striking sea turtles, manatees and dolphins.
Mote scientists are also asking boaters to keep an eye out for whale sharks moving through our region (details below).
Florida's Gulf Coast waters aren't just beautiful for boating - they also provide important habitat for many protected species. Sea turtles are swimming just offshore to mate before the females come ashore to nest, juvenile turtles are feeding along the Gulf Coast, and by early summer the first hatchlings will venture into Gulf waters. So far this year, Mote has recovered several sea turtles suspected to have been struck by boats. Turtles are also nesting on local beaches, so watching out for them is especially important.
Dolphins are giving birth during late spring and summer, and they frequently use shallow waters where they can not dive below an approaching boat. During spring and summer 2012, four resident dolphins were struck by boats in Sarasota waters, and one new calf died as a result. So far in May 2013, two brand new dolphin calves have been seen with long-term resident Sarasota Bay mothers.
Manatees are on the move as well, returning to our bay waters for foraging and mating. Please abide by posted speed zone signs and remain in deepwater channels when possible, as manatees are often found in seagrass beds and other shallow habitats.
Here are specific ways to help keep our waters safe for marine life:
Within Sarasota or Manatee county waters, if you see an entangled, stranded or dead dolphin, whale or sea turtle, please call Mote's Stranding Investigations Program, a 24-hour response service, at 941-988-0212.
If you see an entangled, stranded or dead manatee anywhere in state waters or an entangled, stranded or dead dolphin, whale or sea turtle outside of Sarasota or Manatee counties please call the FWC Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922), #FWC, *FWC on your cellular phone or use VHF Channel 16 on your marine radio.
Boaters should follow 10 dolphin-friendly viewing tips. Click here for a PDF: www.mote.org/dolphinfriendly. These tips were made with dolphins in mind, but they're also great guidelines for the best ways to view all large marine animals.
Wearing polarized sunglasses can help boaters see marine life in their path.
Boaters and beachgoers should never feed marine wildlife. Click here to watch a PSA about why it's harmful and illegal to feed wild dolphins: www.dontfeedwilddolphins.org.
Beachgoers should stay away from sea turtle nests marked with yellow stakes and tape, and seabird nesting zones that are bounded by ropes. Dogs are not allowed on Sarasota County beaches other than Brohard Paw Park in Venice, where they must be leashed or under voice control, according to county ordinances.
For numbers of sea turtle nests each week, along with more tips on how to protect sea turtles, visit www.mote.org/2013nesting
Be sure to stow trash and line when under way. Marine debris that accidentally blows overboard or out of a truck can become ingested by or entangled around marine life.
If you observe a manatee mating herd - several manatees gathered as males vie to mate with a female - watch the manatees from at least 100 feet away. Coming any closer might disrupt the animals' natural mating behavior or put people into harm's way. Adult manatees typically weigh upwards of 1,000 pounds and people could be seriously injured. For more information about manatee mating herds and what to do if you see one, visit www.mote.org/manateemating
Special Note about Whale Sharks: Mote scientists are asking members of the public to immediately report any new sightings of whale sharks along Florida's Gulf coast. A whale shark - the largest fish species on Earth - was seen May 8 about 20 miles off Venice. These gentle filter-feeding fish are seen in various places in the Gulf of Mexico and sporadically visit Southwest Florida's coastal waters, most likely to feed on localized blooms of plankton or possibly on fish eggs. Mote scientists are collecting reports of whale shark sightings to look for possible patterns to their movements in our waters.
Please report new whale shark sightings immediately by calling Mote's Center for Shark Research at 941-388-1827. Please note the number of whale sharks you saw along with the time, date and location (GPS coordinates if possible). Please provide your phone number and/or e-mail and note whether you can provide photos.
(Please do not report sightings prior to May 2013 unless you precisely documented the sighting, including date, specific location and number of whale sharks)
Founded in 1955, Mote Marine Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit 501©3 research organization based in Sarasota, Fla., with field stations in eastern Sarasota County, Charlotte Harbor and the Florida Keys. Donations to Mote are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Mote is dedicated to today's research for tomorrow's oceans with an emphasis on world-class research relevant to conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity, healthy habitats and natural resources. Research programs include studies of human cancer using marine models, the effects of man-made and natural toxins on humans and on the environment, the health of wild fisheries, developing sustainable and successful fish restocking techniques and food production technologies and the development of ocean technology to help us better understand the health of the environment. Mote research programs also focus on understanding the population dynamics of manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks and coral reefs and on conservation and restoration efforts related to these species and ecosystems. Mote's vision includes positively impacting public policy through science-based outreach and education. Showcasing this research is The Aquarium at Mote, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 365 days a year. Learn more at www.mote.org.
(Details for visitors below)
Mote's World Oceans Day event will feature a Dr. Seuss Theme to spotlight the ocean's deep connection to the human spirit and the boundless inspirational power of our natural world's greatest resource.
World Oceans Day, celebrated each year on June 8, was created in 1992 at the Earth Summit and declared a holiday by the United Nations in 2009.
Here at Mote, we make a big splash each year. This year's event will feature games and crafts focused on green practices, marine science and conservation by Mote and other local organizations.
Participating organizations will include: Longboat Key Turtle Watch, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, Sarasota Bay Watch, Manatee County Natural Resources Department, The Sarasota YMCA, Stow It-Don't Throw It, Mote's High School Alumni Program, Mote's Education Division and Tampa Bay Watch.
Sponsors of this year's event at Mote include: IBC (Insurance and Benefit Consultants), the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Sam's Club and Willis A. Smith Construction.
Official sponsors of World Oceans Day are Association of Zoos and Aquariums, The Ocean Project, Dr. Seuss and Random House Children's Books.
Details for Visitors:
What: World Oceans Day Family Festival
When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, June 8<br />
Where: The Aquarium at Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway in Sarasota<br />
Cost: Free with admission to The Aquarium. Admission is $19 for adults, $18 for seniors over 65, $14 for youths ages 4-12 and free for children age 3 and younger. Mote Members always get in free.<br />
Web site: www.mote.org/worldoceansday<br />
Be Vigilant for Marine Life this Summer Boating Season<br />
As you enjoy Southwest Florida's coastal waters this summer, Mote recommends that boaters follow Coast Guard-approved safe boating guidelines and use vigilance to avoid striking sea turtles, manatees and dolphins.
Mote scientists are also asking boaters to keep an eye out for whale sharks moving through our region (details below).
Florida's Gulf Coast waters aren't just beautiful for boating - they also provide important habitat for many protected species. Sea turtles are swimming just offshore to mate before the females come ashore to nest, juvenile turtles are feeding along the Gulf Coast, and by early summer the first hatchlings will venture into Gulf waters. So far this year, Mote has recovered several sea turtles suspected to have been struck by boats. Turtles are also nesting on local beaches, so watching out for them is especially important.
Dolphins are giving birth during late spring and summer, and they frequently use shallow waters where they can not dive below an approaching boat. During spring and summer 2012, four resident dolphins were struck by boats in Sarasota waters, and one new calf died as a result. So far in May 2013, two brand new dolphin calves have been seen with long-term resident Sarasota Bay mothers.
Manatees are on the move as well, returning to our bay waters for foraging and mating. Please abide by posted speed zone signs and remain in deepwater channels when possible, as manatees are often found in seagrass beds and other shallow habitats.
Here are specific ways to help keep our waters safe for marine life:
Within Sarasota or Manatee county waters, if you see an entangled, stranded or dead dolphin, whale or sea turtle, please call Mote's Stranding Investigations Program, a 24-hour response service, at 941-988-0212.
If you see an entangled, stranded or dead manatee anywhere in state waters or an entangled, stranded or dead dolphin, whale or sea turtle outside of Sarasota or Manatee counties please call the FWC Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922), #FWC, *FWC on your cellular phone or use VHF Channel 16 on your marine radio.
Boaters should follow 10 dolphin-friendly viewing tips. Click here for a PDF: www.mote.org/dolphinfriendly. These tips were made with dolphins in mind, but they're also great guidelines for the best ways to view all large marine animals.
Wearing polarized sunglasses can help boaters see marine life in their path.
Boaters and beachgoers should never feed marine wildlife. Click here to watch a PSA about why it's harmful and illegal to feed wild dolphins: www.dontfeedwilddolphins.org.
Beachgoers should stay away from sea turtle nests marked with yellow stakes and tape, and seabird nesting zones that are bounded by ropes. Dogs are not allowed on Sarasota County beaches other than Brohard Paw Park in Venice, where they must be leashed or under voice control, according to county ordinances.
For numbers of sea turtle nests each week, along with more tips on how to protect sea turtles, visit www.mote.org/2013nesting
Be sure to stow trash and line when under way. Marine debris that accidentally blows overboard or out of a truck can become ingested by or entangled around marine life.
If you observe a manatee mating herd - several manatees gathered as males vie to mate with a female - watch the manatees from at least 100 feet away. Coming any closer might disrupt the animals' natural mating behavior or put people into harm's way. Adult manatees typically weigh upwards of 1,000 pounds and people could be seriously injured. For more information about manatee mating herds and what to do if you see one, visit www.mote.org/manateemating
Special Note about Whale Sharks: Mote scientists are asking members of the public to immediately report any new sightings of whale sharks along Florida's Gulf coast. A whale shark - the largest fish species on Earth - was seen May 8 about 20 miles off Venice. These gentle filter-feeding fish are seen in various places in the Gulf of Mexico and sporadically visit Southwest Florida's coastal waters, most likely to feed on localized blooms of plankton or possibly on fish eggs. Mote scientists are collecting reports of whale shark sightings to look for possible patterns to their movements in our waters.
Please report new whale shark sightings immediately by calling Mote's Center for Shark Research at 941-388-1827. Please note the number of whale sharks you saw along with the time, date and location (GPS coordinates if possible). Please provide your phone number and/or e-mail and note whether you can provide photos.
(Please do not report sightings prior to May 2013 unless you precisely documented the sighting, including date, specific location and number of whale sharks)
Founded in 1955, Mote Marine Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit 501©3 research organization based in Sarasota, Fla., with field stations in eastern Sarasota County, Charlotte Harbor and the Florida Keys. Donations to Mote are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Mote is dedicated to today's research for tomorrow's oceans with an emphasis on world-class research relevant to conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity, healthy habitats and natural resources. Research programs include studies of human cancer using marine models, the effects of man-made and natural toxins on humans and on the environment, the health of wild fisheries, developing sustainable and successful fish restocking techniques and food production technologies and the development of ocean technology to help us better understand the health of the environment. Mote research programs also focus on understanding the population dynamics of manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks and coral reefs and on conservation and restoration efforts related to these species and ecosystems. Mote's vision includes positively impacting public policy through science-based outreach and education. Showcasing this research is The Aquarium at Mote, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 365 days a year. Learn more at www.mote.org.