State honors Mote and "Shark Lady" Eugenie Clark

By: Hayley Rutger

Florida Senate echoes House's praise of Mote

In honor of Mote Marine Laboratory's 55th anniversary this year, the Florida Senate recognized the Lab Wednesday, March 24, in a resolution declaring the nonprofit organization a "powerhouse of near-shore marine research" and commending its groundbreaking science and education efforts. This resolution was also passed by the Florida House on March 10.

On Wednesday, Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, introduced the resolution to the Senate. "Members, it's an honor today to do a resolution recognizing Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota," Bennett said. "It's my pleasure to introduce this resolution to commemorate the accomplishments of that important institution." (Click here to view a PDF of the full resolution at www.mote.org/sr2298.)

Bennett recognized Mote's "broad array of Marine research," its "first-rate" education efforts and its outreach through the public Mote Aquarium.

Bennett also recognized Mote's Founding Director, Dr. Eugenie Clark, who herself was inducted into the Florida Women's Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Tuesday, March 23.

Clark created Mote in 1955 as a one-room, one-woman operation focused on sharks. The Lab has since grown into one of Florida's leading marine research and outreach organizations with a main campus in Sarasota and field stations in eastern Sarasota County, Charlotte Harbor and the Florida Keys. Mote has nearly 200 staff members conducting research on sharks, red tide, marine mammals, sea turtles, coral reefs, fisheries, coastal ecology and aquaculture. Mote's 1,300 volunteers contribute more than 200,000 volunteer hours to the organization.

Each year, 350,000 visitors are drawn to Mote Aquarium, one of the largest attractions in Southwest Florida, and another 28,000 students are educated through Mote programs on campus and even off campus through SeaTrek, Mote's premiere Distance Learning program.

The resolution also noted Mote's numerous academic affiliations with Florida universities, including its "landmark affiliation agreement with the University of South Florida that allows two of the state's leading research institutions to join forces in new science ventures, provide expanded learning programs, and create economic development opportunities for the region."

"We thank the Senate for this tremendous honor," said Mote President Dr. Kumar Mahadevan, who was in Tallahassee Wednesday. Mahadevan was recognized on the Senate floor after the resolution was passed.

"We owe this honor to our astounding Mote family of scientists, staff, trustees and volunteers, along with the Florida communities and legislators that have supported us through 55 years of marine research and education efforts. Thanks to you, our one-room Laboratory has grown to be a world-class research and education institution," Mahadevan said. "We vow to continue advancing the science of the sea through projects that benefit our world oceans while improving the lives of people who depend on marine environments in Florida and beyond."

Click to view the related House resolution, HR9013.

Mote's "Shark Lady" inducted into Florida Women's Hall of Fame

Mote Founding Director Dr. Eugenie Clark was inducted the Florida Women's Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Tuesday, March 23 in Tallahassee. Governor Crist selected Clark and two other women from a list of 10 finalists presented to him by the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. 

From Left: Gov. Charlie Crist, Mote founder Dr. Eugenie Clark, her son Tak Konstantinou, Mote President Dr. Kumar Mahadevan and Dr. Mona Jain, Chair of the Florida Commission on the Status of Women (Photo credit: Stacy Ferris/Governor's Office)

Clark, known as "The Shark Lady," is a world-renowned marine biologist and teacher who founded Mote Marine Laboratory as the one-room Cape Haze Marine Laboratory in 1955 and earned her nickname through her lifelong love of shark research and conservation.
Other inductees include Claudine Ryce, creator of the Jimmy Ryce Center for Victims of Predatory Abduction, and Dara Torres, a world-renowned female swimmer, Olympian and television network sports commentator.

The Florida Women's Hall of Fame was established by the Florida Legislature in 1992. The names of inductees are permanently displayed on the Plaza Level of the Capitol. To be considered for induction into the Florida Women's Hall of Fame, inductees must be women who were born in Florida or adopted Florida as a home state and base of operations and have made significant contributions to the improvement of life for all citizens of Florida.

"Even as a young girl, I never let being a woman stop me from trying to do something I really wanted to do, especially if it concerned fishes or the underwater world," Clark said. "Now, after more than 50 years in science, this same drive to understand the sea life I love keeps me active and always learning. My advice to girls who want to get into science is: Follow your heart and take a lot of math. You'll grow to understand the importance of the pure science of math as much as the fascinating creatures you study."

"It's truly thrilling to have Genie recognized by the state of Florida through her induction into the Hall of Fame," said Mote President Dr. Kumar Mahadevan. "She has been a tremendous mentor for me and for all our staff. It's so wonderful to have her continuing her exciting research here at Mote."