How Reef Plate Funds Help:
Funding The Search For Answers
What We Know
- Florida has the only barrier reef in North American waters of the U.S. and that reef is critical habitat for Florida fish.
- Disease has already destroyed nearly a third world’s coral reefs and if current trends persist another 2/3rds of those remaining will be lost within the next 30 years.
- Florida is home to 150 species of fish and about half of those managed by our government depend on coral reefs and restricted habitats for some part of the fish’s life cycle.
- More reef facts
What We Need to Find Out
- How to stop the decline
- How reef immune systems work and how corals keep themselves healthy
- New ways to help make reefs healthy again
What Mote is Doing About It
- At Summerland Key, Mote has established a coral reef genetic bank to help repopulate dead and depleted corals.
- Mote researchers are applying microbiology techniques to study reef diseases and have made promising gains in understanding the immune system of a reef.
- Through funds raised from the sale of the Protect Our Reefs license plate, Mote is providing grants to organizations around the state to do reef research, education and conservation. The more plates sold, the more grant dollars available, the more answers reef-loving organizations can find.
- Learn more about grant recipients
How Can You Help?
Purchase a "Protect Our Reefs" license plate to help fund coral reef research, education and conservation.
About Us
Mote Marine Laboratory has been a leader in marine research since it was founded in 1955. Today, we incorporate public outreach as a key part of our mission. Mote is an independent nonprofit organization and has seven centers for marine research, the public Mote Aquarium and an Education Division specializing in public programs for all ages.
