Florida Marine Fisheries Enhancement Initiative
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| Saltwater fishing brings $5.4 billion into Florida's economy each year. But all that fishing pressure has a downside: Popular species like snook and redfish are depleted. Resource managers have already implemented rules restricting how many redfish anglers can catch and keep and placed limits on size. Another way to invigorate wild fish populations is stock enhancement: Growing fish through aquaculture and replacing them in the wild. |
| Fisheries Enhancement Initiative In 2007, Mote partnered with Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution (HBOI) to develop cornerstone hatcheries to produce marine fishes and invertebrates to enhance Florida's recreational fisheries. These cornerstone hatcheries are part of a multi-year, multi-partner program to sustain Florida's saltwater sportfish populations and the natural habitats that support these species. Hatchery production efforts are initially focusing on red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), one of the most popular sportfish in Florida. |
| A population explosion we all can support. While zero population growth works on land, it won't cut it under the sea. Red drum, snook, pompano; we need to restore depleted populations. Now. Donate today. 
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 Juvenile redfish |
| Inland Marine Aquaculture Efforts at Mote in 2007 focused on the design of a inland, zero-discharge, prototype marine fingerling production system based on Mote's freshwater and marine recirculating systems. The prototype system was constructed in 2008 and stocked with red drum in December. The prototype system is a model for the future 10-acre FWC saltwater hatchery at Mote Aquaculture Research Park. Two intensive fingerling production trials were completed in 2007 and 2008 where more than 25,000 Phase 1 red drum were stocked in a 21 m3 raceway. Phase 1 red drum were produced at the FWC Stock Enhancement Research Facility in Port Manatee, harvested from ponds there and brought by truck to Mote for all trials. The goal of these trials is to evaluate the performance of red drum at high densities in a tank system that recycles water. Results provided key information needed to design the prototype system for the hatchery network project. |
| Marine Enhancement Centers The network of partners has grown and now includes 10 Marine Enhancement Centers working together with the Wildlife Foundation of Florida and FWC. For more information on the initiative go to www.supportfloridasportfish.com. |
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.
