Weekly News Digest from Mote

Florida Red Tide Updates
Florida red tide was detected at increased levels this week along Sarasota County beaches and continues to cause impacts along Southwest Florida’s coastline, report Mote Marine Laboratory scientists and monitoring partners who are reminding beachgoers of best practices and resources related to red tide.

Mote’s Beach Conditions Report System has shown this week that beachgoers experienced respiratory irritation caused by red tide's airborne toxins blowing ashore, and that dead fish were found onshore at several Southwest Florida beaches.

Updates from this morning, Jan. 18:

• Manatee County: slight respiratory irritation at Coquina Beach.
• Sarasota County: slight respiratory irritation and many dead fish in Nokomis, slight respiratory irritation and some dead fish at Venice North Jetty, many dead fish and slight respiratory irritation at Venice Beach and slight respiratory irritation and some dead fish on Manasota Key.
• Lee County: some dead fish at Newton Park and at Lovers Key State Park, along with many dead fish at Bonita Beach.
  

It's important to note that conditions can change quickly, and Sarasota County is scheduled to remove fish from county-owned beaches today and tomorrow, Jan. 18 and 19. Please continue to check Mote's Report for updates at: www.mote.org/beaches.

Beach water samples collected on Monday by the Sarasota County Health Department and analyzed by Mote showed a marked increase in red tide algae (Karenia brevis) over test results from last week. Increased levels of K. brevis were found at Brohard, Caspersen, Manasota, Blind Pass beaches and others.

As of Jan. 16, the bloom was detected in low to high concentrations alongshore and inshore of Manatee County south through Lee County and in very low to low concentrations alongshore of Collier County. Recent satellite images showed that the bloom extends alongshore and offshore of southern Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties with patches present off the Florida Keys, according to the multi-partner monitoring report compiled by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI).

• New statewide results are expected this evening, Jan. 18, on the FWRI Web site:  http://myfwc.com/research/redtide/events/status/statewide/#Midweek

In areas with red tide, beachgoers may experience coughing, sneezing, scratchy throat or teary eyes. These effects should be temporary and go away when those affected leave the beach. However, people with asthma or other chronic respiratory impairments should be aware of places where red tide impacts are reported and should avoid those areas. Red tide can trigger their symptoms and potentially cause serious illness.

It's important to note that since winds are variable, conditions can change frequently throughout the day. Onshore winds increase exposure to red tide toxins, increasing the chance that beachgoers will experience the associated symptoms.

Pet owners should take precautions when bringing pets to the beach. Dogs that lick their fur or paws after swimming in red tide areas, or eat dead fish on the beach, may experience gastrointestinal illness or other symptoms from ingesting toxins, which can be harmful to their health. Pets should not be allowed to consume or play with dead fish and they should be rinsed with clear water after a beach swim.

Key Resources for the Public:

• Mote’s Beach Conditions Report is updated as often as twice daily at: www.mote.org/beaches. Residents and visitors can also register to receive email reports about specific beaches. For telephone updates, call 941-BEACHES (232-2437) and press "1" for Sarasota County beaches.
• Statewide updates on red tide are normally available on Wednesday and Friday evenings from FWRI. Visit MyFWC.com/Research and click the link for red tide updates.
• Report fish kills to FWRI’s Fish Kill Hotline by calling 1-800-636-0511 or visiting MyFWC.com/FishKill
• Check for closures of shellfish harvest beds due to red tide: http://www.floridaaquaculture.com/RedTide/RedTideInfo.htm

We *Heart* Sea Life: Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Mote

Photo/Video Op for Media on Feb. 8

• What: Mote’s manatees and sea turtles will enjoy heart-shaped ice treats in advance of the holiday — a photo op that’ll melt any heart!
• When: Noon on Friday, Feb. 8.
• Where: Mote’s Ann and Alfred Goldstein Marine Mammal Research and Rehabilitation Center, 1703 Ken Thompson Parkway in Sarasota. Join us downstairs in the sea turtle exhibit.
• RSVP Required: Contact Hayley Rutger at hrutger@mote.org or 941-374-0081.

• Get Cheek-to-Cheek with Sea Lions: Meet three Patagonian sea lions in the limited-time exhibit Sea Lions: On The Water’s Edge in The Aquarium at Mote, which is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 365 days per year, including Valentine’s Day, Feb 14. Visiting the sea lions is free with admission, and guests can get their picture taken right alongside these furry marine mammals for an additional fee. Pictures start at $10 for a 4-by-6 inch photo.
  Learn more about the exhibit and see Aquarium admission rates at www.mote.org/sealions.

Stella, a Patagonian sea lion, is now featured in Sea Lions: On The Water's Edge in The Aquarium at Mote Marine Laboratory.

(Credit photo to Heather Tiffany/Mote Marine Laboratory)

• Show Your Love by Adopting an Animal: For as little as $30, you can “give” your valentine a manatee, sea turtle, shark or other marine animal in The Aquarium at Mote. The lucky recipient will get a downloadable adoption certificate, photo and fact sheet about their animal. You can also choose one of our higher-level adoption packages that come with other great benefits. ($30 gift adoptions are available instantly via Web, while higher level adoptions include special gift items that will take about one week to arrive by mail.) Visit www.mote.org/adopt.

The Aquarium at Mote provides a lifelong home for two resident manatees, a pantropical spotted dolphin, several sea turtles and many other marine species. Animal adoptions help us provide them food and excellent care.

(Credit photo to Heather Tiffany/Mote Marine Laboratory.)

• Try a Treat with Good Taste: Delight your eco-conscious valentine with the gift of Mote Farm-Raised Caviar. This delicious caviar comes from Siberian sturgeon at Mote Aquaculture Park, an earth-friendly fish farm where Mote raises sustainable seafood more than 17 miles inland using recirculated water.  Mote Caviar is mild and smooth with small glistening grains that have a melt-in your-mouth silkiness — waaaay better than chocolate! 
• Where to purchase Mote Caviar:
• Florida’s Whole Foods Markets and Costco stores, along with Morton’s Gourmet Market in Sarasota (please call stores first to ensure Mote Caviar is in stock).
• Online at www.caviarstar.com or Costco.com
• Dine out at Jack Dusty, a brand new restaurant opening Jan. 21 that will feature Mote Farm-Raised Caviar as part of its raw bar and appetizer offerings. Jack Dusty is located in The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Sarasota.
• Learn more about Mote Caviar and how to purchase it at: www.motecaviar.com

• Click the image to watch a video, or visit us online at motecaviar.com

Starting Jan. 24
Tarpon Talk and Shark Speak… Mote’s New Lecture Series in Boca Grande
Learn about fish and other marine species of Charlotte Harbor from the researchers who study them during Mote Marine Laboratory’s Boca Grande Lecture Series.

The new Series, which is free to the public, will start Jan. 24 and take place at the Boca Grande Community Center, 131 First Street West, Boca Grande.

Schedule of lectures:

• 3 p.m. Jan. 24: The Tarpon Conservation Initiative: Protecting and Preserving Charlotte Harbor’s Tarpon. Speaker: Dr. Aaron Adams, manager of the Fisheries Habitat Ecology Program at Mote Marine Laboratory
• 2 p.m. Feb. 21: Topic to be designated
• 2 p.m. March 26: The Shark Initiative: Continuing a Legacy of Boca Grande-Charlotte Harbor Shark Research. Speaker: Dr. Robert Hueter, director of Mote’s Center for Shark Research
• 2 p.m. April 18: Topic to be designated

About the Mote-Boca Grande Partnership
Mote Marine Laboratory, based in Sarasota, Fla., recently opened a new satellite office in Boca Grande to help engage the community and region in tarpon and other marine research undertaken by Mote in Charlotte Harbor — the Lab’s original home — and  Southwest Florida in general. The office is also designed to highlight new research directions designed to support conservation of area fisheries and habitat. The office was opened under the auspices of a community-wide grassroots committee to increase knowledge of — and support for — the region’s important marine environment and the conservation of it.

Mote’s Boca Grande Office address: 480 East Railroad Ave., Unit 7, Railroad Plaza, Boca Grande (Note: The lecture series takes place at the Boca Grande Community Center, not Mote’s Office.)

Mailing address: P.O. Box 870, Boca Grande, Fla., 33921.

Hours of Operation: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Phone Number: 941-855-9251

• Learn More About Mote’s Boca Grande Efforts at Free Coffee
  Join Capt. Philip O’Bannon, director of the new Mote-Boca Grande Partnership, for coffee and a chat at 3 p.m. on Feb. 8 in the Railroad Plaza office.

Michael’s Happy Hour prices extend throughout their evening hours during this special promotion, allowing guests to enjoy a $5 vintage or well cocktail, domestic beer or glass of Michael’s private label wine until 10 p.m. each Monday. Be sure to try one of five fabulous $5 Lounge Bites.

During this promotion, Mote supporters dining in the Lounge can receive complimentary membership in the Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club — a special rewards program by the The Klauber-Mancini family of restaurants and shops. Simply tell Michael’s mixologists you’d like to support Mote with your new Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club membership. Members will receive points toward rewards when they dine or shop at participating venues, and 5 percent of proceeds from Mote supporters' purchases will go to Mote.

• Learn more about the Connoisseur Club and start your membership online as a Mote supporter: www.florida-hospitality.com/mote