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Plants Grown at Mote Aquaculture Park to be Included in North Lido Beach Restoration on Saturday

Published Thursday, July 7, 2011 7:00 am

Plants Grown at Mote Aquaculture Park to be Included in North Lido Beach Restoration on Saturday

On Saturday, July 9, 2011, members of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Bay Guardian volunteers, along with Around the Bend Nature Tours will plant 2,000 native plants at North Lido Beach Park.

Some of the plants being used in this restoration were grown at Mote Aquaculture Park (MAP), a 200-acre aquaculture research and development facility located in eastern Sarasota County.

In a pilot project funded through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Sea Grant program, Mote and partners, including Aquatic Plants of Florida, are growing red mangroves, salt wort, spartina and others using solid fish waste from the production of saltwater fish. By using this waste to feed saltwater plants — and doing it on a large enough scale to translate to commercial operations — this innovative system could serve as a model for sustainable marine aquaculture efforts across the nation and beyond.

“For years, Mote has developed recirculating aquaculture technology to reduce the environmental impact of producing seafood — but there’s still is an impact if you can’t use the solid waste,” said Dr. Kevan Main, Director of Mote’s Center for Aquaculture Research and Development and leader of the project. “When I show people around Mote’s facility and point out that the saltwater is completely recirculated, some observant person will ask, ‘Where do the solids go?’ Now we’re using them up to grow plants for coastal environments.”

So far, the plant growth at MAP has “exceeded expectations,” reports Gil Sharell, founder and president of Aquatic Plants of Florida. “The growth is exceptional and maintenance is less than traditional propagation at our farm. We’re evaluating whether to expand the program later this year with Dr. Main and her team by constructing another plant production greenhouse at MAP.”

As part of the restoration, almost two hundred salt-tolerant plants — like saltwort and smooth cordgrass — from MAP will be used.

Having plants grown at Mote used locally as part of an important restoration undertaking is rewarding, Main said. “The idea is to be as sustainable as possible in the production of fish for food,” she said. “Being able to grow plants for restoration and have them planted here locally in Sarasota is just an extra reward for us.”

Click here to learn more about this effort

Funding for the plants being used in the restoration is provided by Sarasota County, which is also donating plants raised by Green Seasons nurseries. Additional sponsors for the restoration are the Florida Native Plant Society, which is donating food for 60 volunteers and the American Littoral Society, which is donating 250 plants from their nursery.

About the Restoration:
The new tidal tributary at North Lido Park was completed in March. The restoration project improved 30 acres on the 70-acre site. The effort removed non-native vegetation, excavated the tidal wetland, contoured the upland area, created dunes and planted thousands of native plants.

The tidal wetland was created to provide essential habitat for estuarine-dependent fish species, according to Dr. Jay Leverone, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program’s staff scientist. “The restoration also provides improved habitat for birds, reptiles and other wildlife,” he said.

Florida Native Nursery planted more than 8,000 plants on the newly created shores in the spring. Major funding for the restoration project comes from Southwest Florida Water Management District and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Individuals and organizations supporting the project include the Lido Shores Property Owners Association, Lido Key Residents Association, Sarasota Audubon Society, and Captain Jeffrey Karr with the Sarasota Police Department and Sarasota County.

Since its inception in 1989, SBEP has been involved with more than 200 projects related to habitat or water improvement within the Sarasota Bay watershed spanning Sarasota and Manatee County. A dozen projects are currently in planning, permitting or construction phase. Inquires are welcome at 941-955-8085 or sara@sarasotabay.org.

About the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program
The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program is dedicated to restoring the area's

greatest natural asset—Sarasota Bay. Its unique program strives to improve water quality, increase habitat and enhance the natural resources of the area for use and enjoyment by the public. Sarasota Bay is one of 28 estuaries in the United States that have been named by the U.S. Congress as an "estuary of national significance." Partners include Sarasota County, Manatee County, City of Sarasota, City of Bradenton, Town of Longboat Key, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Southwest Florida Water Management District and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

About Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium
Founded in 1955, Mote Marine Laboratory is an independent nonprofit (501(c)3) marine research organization based in Sarasota, Fla., with field stations in eastern Sarasota County, Charlotte Harbor and the Florida Keys. Donations to Mote are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

We are dedicated to advancing the science of the sea through the study of marine and estuarine ecosystems, through our public Mote Aquarium and through an education division that provides unique programs for all ages. Mote has seven centers for scientific research focusing on sharks, sea turtles and marine mammals, coral reefs, the study of toxins in the environment and their effect on human health, aquaculture, coastal ecology and fisheries enhancement. Showcasing this research is Mote Aquarium, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 365 days a year. Learn more at www.mote.org.