Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium — Zoo & Aquarium in Sarasota

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium and its collection

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, opened in 1955, is a mixed in Sarasota, United States.

The laboratory has been based in Sarasota since 1960 and on City Island since 1978. The aquarium acts as its public face, showing over 100 marine species tied to staff research; a second site, the Mote Science Education Aquarium, operates at 225 University Town Center.

History

Eugenie Clark started the laboratory at Placida, Florida, in 1955 under the name Cape Haze Marine Laboratory, with sharks and other fish as its early research subjects. It settled in Sarasota in 1960 and on City Island in 1978, and a change of name in 1967 honoured the benefactors William R. Mote, his wife Lenore and his sister Betty Mote Rose. On City Island, in Sarasota Bay, the first aquarium followed in 1980, showing sharks, manatees, sea turtles, rays and invertebrates.

Animals and collection

Animals on show include Sharks, Sea Turtles and Manatees.

Conservation and approach

Its mission covers advancing marine science and education for the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.

What the venue says

• Quarterdeck Terrace
• behind-the-science guided tours
• immersive ocean virtual reality experience
• On-site dining is available at the top-floor Bite Café, which serves casual fare like flatbreads and chicken fingers, alongside a first-floor coffee kiosk and options for Italian ice.
• Parking at the Mote SEA campus is entirely free.
• fully wheelchair accessible, with elevators and stairs serving all floors
• complimentary manual wheelchairs available on a first-come, first-served basis
• designated an Autism-Friendly Business, offering sensory-friendly backpacks for checkout, audio tours, and dedicated sensory-sensitive hours
• Service dogs defined by the ADA are welcome