Marine Policy Institute

Background and Rationale

In April 2004 the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy released its final report on the health of our nation’s oceans and the effectiveness of our nation’s ocean and coastal policies.  The conclusions were strikingly similar to those reached in a parallel effort undertaken by the Pew Oceans Commission.  According to the reports: America’s oceans are in crisis and major policy changes are urgently needed.  Coastal development and associated sprawl endanger coastal wetlands and estuaries.  Nutrient runoff and sediment degrades rivers and bays.  Many ecologically and commercially important marine species face increasing pressure from overfishing and habitat loss.  And a variety of anthropogenic and environmental stressors threaten coral reefs.  While these problems are global in scope, they have particular resonance in Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean region.  These are the areas Mote Marine Laboratory considers its home.

Mote Marine Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing scientific leadership in marine and estuarine research to inform societal decisions that impact our oceans.  Mote, created in 1955, annually conducts more than 200 research projects within its Research Division. Mote's research includes seven centers: Coral Reef Research, Ecotoxicology, Fisheries Enhancement, Aquaculture Research and Development, Coastal Ecology, Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Research and Shark Research.  Findings in all seven of these research centers relate directly to societal needs and responsibilities. Mote’s research underpins a suite of complementary programs in Mote’s Education and Aquarium Divisions.  Geographically, Mote’s principal area of work is in the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Keys but its focus has expanded into Latin America and the Caribbean region and its scientists conduct research projects in distant locations around the world.

A common theme that cut across the recommendations of both the U.S. Oceans Commission and the Pew Oceans Commission was the need for decision-makers to improve the degree to which they base their policy decisions on unbiased, credible and timely scientific information.  This comes as no surprise.  Creating knowledge systems that effectively link knowledge to action in furtherance of sustainable policies has proven to be an especially difficult task with respect to our atmosphere and terrestrial environment in addition to our marine ecosystems.  This is not just an oceans problem.  We believe that part of the problem lies in the fact that while individual efforts in research, innovation, monitoring and assessment can contribute to sustainable policies, the full utility of these contributions will not be realized until we do a better job of integrating the knowledge we collectively possess and connecting it to the decisions we make.  The scientific community must be more proactive in connecting science to society by effectively communicating scientific knowledge to decision-makers and stakeholders.  This assertion applies to the full spectrum of human activity but it is especially pertinent for marine policy.  In recognition of this need and its particular importance for our region, Mote Marine Laboratory has established a Marine Policy Institute dedicated to strengthening the connection between marine science and policy.