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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.”
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. |
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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.
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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. |
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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.
 
Contact: Mote Marine Laboratory,
1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL
34236. (941) 388-4441 or info@mote.org.
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