Dr. Kevan L. Main, Center Director

The mission of Mote's Center for Aquaculture Research and Development is to develop new, innovative and cost-effective systems and husbandry techniques to produce high-value marine and freshwater fishes and invertebrates. Our goal is to advance the aquaculture industry and to support and expand stock enhancement research in Florida and worldwide. The majority of our research activities are located at Mote Aquaculture Park in eastern Sarasota County, Fla. We also conduct marine research at Mote's Tropical Research Laboratory in the Florida Keys.

The center is conducting research, development and commercial demonstration projects with marine and freshwater species for food production and stock enhancement. Projects are also under way to design, construct and evaluate land-based recirculating systems. Traditional aquaculture practices use large quantities of high-quality fresh or saltwater, discharging that water after minimal use. Water is now globally recognized as a valuable and limited commodity, and a logical alternative to using more water is to re-use that water by employing recirculating technology. Beyond this, there is increased legislative restriction dictating the amount and quality of effluent discharged, which poses a significant problem for facilities with high water turnover. Recirculating system design teams are working together to develop systems at Mote Aquaculture Park that will clarify reuse water and reduce or eliminate effluent discharge.

The Marine Aquaculture Research Program is focused on the design and evaluation of inland marine recirculating systems and the culture technology for snook, red drum, Florida pompano, hard corals, long-spined sea urchinds and larval foods for marine fish. Past research efforts focused on shrimp for bait and food, queen conch, red snapper and marine ornamental fish.

Freshwater research is focused on sturgeon husbandry and system design for caviar and meat production.

• Marine Aquaculture Research Program
  (Growing snook, pompano, red drum, hard corals, long-spined sea urchins and more
  
• Sturgeon Commercial Demonstration Program
  (Growing Siberian sturgeon and caviar)